Boston Children's Hospital Developmental Medicine Center, Boston, MA.
Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2018 May;39(4):345-347. doi: 10.1097/DBP.0000000000000570.
Aaron is an 11-year-old boy with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with cognitive and language skills in the above-average range, whose parents have recently separated. Aaron's mother initiated the separation when she learned that Aaron's father had maintained a relationship with a woman with whom he has a 10-year-old daughter. When Aaron's mother discovered this relationship, she demanded that Aaron's father leave their home.Aaron's father has moved in with his long-term girlfriend and keeps in contact with Aaron by calling once a day. Neither Aaron's father nor mother has discussed the reason for their separation with Aaron. So far, they have explained their separation by telling Aaron that they are "taking a break."Aaron's mother has been deeply hurt by Aaron's father's infidelity and does not want to reconcile with him. Aaron's father recognizes this but would like to continue to have a close relationship with his son. He would also like Aaron to get to know his half-sister.Aaron's mother seeks guidance regarding how to talk to Aaron about the separation and his father's second family. Given Aaron's diagnosis of ASD, she is particularly concerned about his ability to cope with this unexpected change in circumstances. What is your advice?
艾伦是一个 11 岁的男孩,患有自闭症谱系障碍(ASD),认知和语言技能处于中上水平,他的父母最近离婚了。当艾伦的母亲发现艾伦的父亲与一名女子有长达 10 年的婚外情关系后,她提出了离婚。艾伦的父亲搬去和他的长期女友一起住,每天打一次电话与艾伦保持联系。艾伦的父母都没有和艾伦讨论他们离婚的原因。到目前为止,他们只是告诉艾伦他们“分开一段时间”。艾伦的母亲对父亲的不忠感到非常受伤,不想与他和解。艾伦的父亲认识到这一点,但希望继续与他的儿子保持亲密关系。他也希望艾伦能认识他的同父异母妹妹。鉴于艾伦被诊断患有自闭症谱系障碍,艾伦的母亲特别关注他应对这种意外情况变化的能力,因此她寻求关于如何与艾伦谈论离婚以及他父亲的第二个家庭的指导。你有什么建议?