@A MyAutismTeam Member the first question was is it UNhealthy for parents to teach social skills, and the answer, I believe, is no, that teaching social skills is healthy and not detrimental to the child. Now, if a parent lacks the skills to do so, AND they want to, the choice is either learn, hire someone, or decide not to. There are two schools of thought...one is that a child will have a happier, more fulfilled life if they learned social skills. The other is to accept the child as who they are naturally and try not to force them into a mold that society expects. My opinion is that my son would have a happier life with social skills, so I learned how to teach them. But you can only do what you can do. Not all of us can hire outside help, or have the skills to teach children things like this. So, no, it's not unhealthy, no, I don't think it would be bad for the parents to teach them, but nor do I think it's a requirement to get outside help if they can't teach the skills. You do the best you can with the resources you have, and forgive yourself for the rest.

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A MyAutis...

I wish that 14 years ago we knew about and understood how to properly use social stories. However, we had no such assistance when we were trying to teach our daughter compassion and how to place a phone call. Aspergers had been introduced to the US only 4 yrs prior to that. We did and taught what seemed best then. Looking back, we did not believe any so called professionals {at the time} could have done better. I am collage educated, but only in general social sciences, and we did fine. Our daughter is now 22 and so well adjusted NO ONE can identify she has Aspergers or is on the spectrum. She is in a program at a community college that woll allow her to be a special ed para. She works a regular job, got a regular high school diploma at 18 and lives on her own. She is also a leader. WE taught her those skills. Not someone who was being paid to teach her.

I don't think its unhealthy. Afterall we;re expected to teach our typical kids social skills. So I believe it's completely appropriate. But it may be ineffective especially for kids that are severe or when parents are impatient and do not know how to break it down.

I don't think it is unhealthy at all. Up until recently, socialization of children was not done in schools but rather by parents or in a master/apprentice setting. Just because the norm today is to outsource that task out does not mean it is problematic to choose to do it oneself.

I am always open to new ideas on play!!!All children learn through play It is so important !!!MY sonloves to sing and dance,so that is easy,the hard toys are usually the cause and effect toys.He loves to be around children,getting him to interact and play with them is not easy.Some play is enjoyable for him,some he would rather not do, all is benificial