Participating in social skills training programs, seeking therapy, and practicing social interactions

Playing video games alone

Spending more time on social media

Avoiding social situations altogether

Sensory sensitivities can cause discomfort or distress in response to certain sensory stimuli.

Sensory sensitivities make teens on the autism spectrum more resilient to sensory stimuli.

Sensory sensitivities only impact the daily life of adults on the autism spectrum.

Sensory sensitivities have no impact on the daily life of teens on the autism spectrum.

Ignoring their sensory sensitivities and hoping they will adapt

Exposing them to overwhelming sensory experiences to desensitize them

Punishing them for their sensory sensitivities

Creating a sensory-friendly environment, using sensory tools and techniques, providing sensory breaks, and teaching self-regulation skills

Teens on the autism spectrum do not need to manage their emotions

Understanding and managing emotions can improve their social interactions and overall well-being.

Understanding and managing emotions has no impact on social interactions

Emotional management is only important for adults, not teens

Avoiding social interactions at all costs

Cognitive behavioral therapy, social skills training, mindfulness and relaxation techniques, and using visual supports and schedules

Playing video games for long hours

Ignoring their emotions and pretending everything is fine

Advanced academic programs and scholarships

Sports teams and extracurricular activities

Financial planning and investment opportunities

Therapy, social skills groups, educational accommodations, and community organizations

Ignoring the need for therapy and support

Therapy, social skills training, and support from parents and educators

Playing video games all day

Avoiding social interactions

Part-time job at a fast-food restaurant

Autism support groups, therapy, and specialized programs

Isolation and avoiding social interactions

Online gaming communities

Relying solely on parents or caregivers for all tasks

Learning life skills, seeking out support and resources, practicing self-advocacy and communication skills, and setting achievable goals

Avoiding any social interactions and support

Not seeking out any resources or assistance

Therapy can help improve social skills, manage emotions, and develop independence and self-advocacy.

Therapy can help teens on the autism spectrum become better at video games.

Therapy can help teens on the autism spectrum become more isolated.

Therapy has no benefits for teens on the autism spectrum.

By ignoring their needs and letting them figure things out on their own.

By providing constant supervision and doing everything for them.

By providing support and guidance, encouraging self-advocacy, and helping them access resources and therapy.

By encouraging them to spend more time on social media.

Self-regulation is not important for teens on the autism spectrum.

Self-regulation can help manage sensory sensitivities, emotions, and improve social interactions.

Self-regulation can make teens on the autism spectrum more isolated.

Self-regulation can help teens on the autism spectrum become better at video games.

Ignoring their anxiety and hoping it will go away on its own

Encouraging them to spend more time on social media

Therapy, mindfulness techniques, and providing a supportive and understanding environment

Exposing them to stressful situations to make them more resilient

By avoiding social interactions

By spending more time playing video games

By participating in communication skills training programs, seeking therapy, and practicing communication in safe environments

By using social media more frequently

Therapy has no role in managing sensory sensitivities

Therapy can help teens understand their sensory sensitivities and provide strategies to manage them

Therapy can make sensory sensitivities worse

Therapy can help teens become better at video games

Group activities can help improve social skills, manage emotions, and develop teamwork.

Group activities can help teens on the autism spectrum become better at video games.

Group activities can help teens on the autism spectrum become more isolated.

Group activities have no benefits for teens on the autism spectrum.

A structured daily routine can help manage sensory sensitivities and improve self-regulation.

A structured daily routine can make teens on the autism spectrum more isolated.

A structured daily routine can help teens on the autism spectrum become better at video games.

A structured daily routine has no benefits for teens on the autism spectrum.

Physical activity is not important for teens on the autism spectrum.

Physical activity can help manage sensory sensitivities, emotions, and improve social interactions.

Physical activity can make teens on the autism spectrum more isolated.

Physical activity can help teens on the autism spectrum become better at video games.

A balanced diet is not important for teens on the autism spectrum.

A balanced diet can help manage sensory sensitivities, emotions, and improve overall health.

A balanced diet can make teens on the autism spectrum more isolated.

A balanced diet can help teens on the autism spectrum become better at video games.

Art and music therapy can help improve social skills, manage emotions, and provide a creative outlet.

Art and music therapy can help teens on the autism spectrum become better at video games.

Art and music therapy can make teens on the autism spectrum more isolated.

Art and music therapy have no benefits for teens on the autism spectrum.

Ignoring their discomfort and hoping they will adapt

Exposing them to frequent and abrupt changes to desensitize them

Punishing them for their discomfort with changes

Providing advance notice of changes, using visual schedules, and teaching coping strategies