Help! Did son's therapist give bad advice?

  • Thread starter Thread starter 1990Domer
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
1

1990Domer

Guest
Hello Friends:

My DS has mild Aspergers that presents itself as socially awkward. He starts high school at the end of the month. His therapist has been working on his social skills all summer (he’s really excited for school).

Anyhow, today she suggested that DS watch South Park. I know nothing about this show except DH said it’s like Family Guy on steroids. Her reasoning was to “fit in” because many kids watch it & DS would be able to get in on conversations about said show.

My thought: NO WAY!

I would love ❤️ feedback! God bless and thank you.
 
1990Domer said:
Hello Friends:

My DS has mild Aspergers that presents itself as socially awkward. He starts high school at the end of the month. His therapist has been working on his social skills all summer (he’s really excited for school).

Anyhow, today she suggested that DS watch South Park. I know nothing about this show except DH said it’s like Family Guy on steroids. Her reasoning was to “fit in” because many kids watch it & DS would be able to get in on conversations about said show.

My thought: NO WAY!

I would love ❤️ feedback! God bless and thank you.
Click to expand...
South Park has been around since the 1990s, I’m pretty sure it’s peaked in popularity, much like the Simpsons have.

But if it’s still popular in your parts, then I’d recommend that you watch one episode. If you manage to watch 10 minutes of it, then I’m pretty sure you’d decide your initial “NO WAY” reaction was quite right.

I am sure many kids in HS watch porn, too, would the therapist having your son watch porn so he can “fit in”? Indeed, some not only watch porn, but re-enact what they see, that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea for your son to do the same to “fit in”.

Fairly sure there must be some pop singer or such who is both (1) popular with teens in your area and (2) not nearly as problematic as South Park. Just a hunch.
 
Wait, kids today still watch “South Park”? Really?

But to address your larger point: Be aware of what media your son is seeing/experiencing. You certainly do not have to show him things that you find morally objectionable for the sake of “fitting in.”
 
Thank you for the replies. Yes, apparently it is still popular (DS confirmed it). I told my husband that I felt it was a form of scandal. I also texted the therapist telling her that DS may just have to be an outcast for the sake of his soul. Christ was, after all.
 
1990Domer said:
Hello Friends:

My DS has mild Aspergers that presents itself as socially awkward. He starts high school at the end of the month. His therapist has been working on his social skills all summer (he’s really excited for school).

Anyhow, today she suggested that DS watch South Park. I know nothing about this show except DH said it’s like Family Guy on steroids. Her reasoning was to “fit in” because many kids watch it & DS would be able to get in on conversations about said show.

My thought: NO WAY!

I would love ❤️ feedback! God bless and thank you.
Click to expand...
Hi, Domer!

…sadly, Christians have fell in love with “fitting in” so much that if Christ were to Come today He would be ostracized for being too Christian/pious.

…the “creations” that are being fed to people are nothing short of satanic indoctrination… yes, “people” watch/love “xyz” show/video/program… but does that mean that there’s any value to them…

If the Simpson’s is like saying a curse word, South Park and many other “well-like/love” programs are like cursing someone.

Homosexuality, gender fluidity, depravity, disrespect, irresponsibility, hatred, oppression, and brainwashing… have you wonder why such cartoons and programs are acclaimed as “good” or “loved?” They have all of the above descriptions in common; yes, sometimes there’s some subtlety involved… but placing a warning on cigarettes that if they are consumed in the manner that the manufacturers intend can kill you does not remove the destructive capacity of the product.

The advice given you is similar to that mentality that arose in the culture ‘they are going to have sex/drugs any how so a good parent will provide a safe haven for their kids rather than to teach them abstinence.’

Commonsense is not so common anymore, even “professional” have learned to trade it in for the sake of fitting in!

Maran atha!

Angel
 
OMG. I watched descriptions of someone’s Top 10 list of South Park. It was horrible. I was begging for it to end–I was on YouTube–so that I could watch. Journey video I had in que. Nothing like Steve Perry singing Faithfully to put you in a better frame of mind.
 
jcrichton said:
Hi, Domer!

…sadly, Christians have fell in love with “fitting in” so much that if Christ were to Come today He would be ostracized for being too Christian/pious.

…the “creations” that are being fed to people are nothing short of satanic indoctrination… yes, “people” watch/love “xyz” show/video/program… but does that mean that there’s any value to them…

If the Simpson’s is like saying a curse word, South Park and many other “well-like/love” programs are like cursing someone.

Homosexuality, gender fluidity, depravity, disrespect, irresponsibility, hatred, oppression, and brainwashing… have you wonder why such cartoons and programs are acclaimed as “good” or “loved?” They have all of the above descriptions in common; yes, sometimes there’s some subtlety involved… but placing a warning on cigarettes that if they are consumed in the manner that the manufacturers intend can kill you does not remove the destructive capacity of the product.

The advice given you is similar to that mentality that arose in the culture ‘they are going to have sex/drugs any how so a good parent will provide a safe haven for their kids rather than to teach them abstinence.’

Commonsense is not so common anymore, even “professional” have learned to trade it in for the sake of fitting in!

Maran atha!

Angel
Click to expand...
I totally agree. My DS is discerning the priesthood, and he was horrified at the things kids brought into school from Family Guy. I need to take a shower. I feel dirty for watching that video!
 
I can see how it might be useful to know a few details about something popular just to keep up with a conversation (as long as it’s appropriate). I’m surprised people still watch South Park too, but for another example - I don’t watch Game of Thrones, but I do know who the main characters are and the basic gist of the show, and most of the time when people talk about it they aren’t talking about the immoral parts, but plot developments and who they are rooting for as characters. Even if he doesn’t participate, it could be less bewildering for him to have a general idea of what’s popular with his peers.

Another analogy might be having an idea about local sports teams for talking around the water cooler at the office. I think that’s most likely what your son’s therapist is going for. She may not know herself much about South Park (especially depending on her age), but if your son brought it up as something he’s heard his peers mention, it’s possible that she naively thought it would be an OK thing for him to do.
 
1990Domer said:
I totally agree. My DS is discerning the priesthood, and he was horrified at the things kids brought into school from Family Guy. I need to take a shower. I feel dirty for watching that video!
Click to expand...
Hi, Domer!

What is the worst… is that hollowood has been brainwashing and inculcating the culture specially through the corruption of the minds of its children. It is no accident that of much that destructive force has been channeled through cartoons, videos, and sci-fi movies (all of which appeal to children)–even manufacturers and retailers have caught up to this as they have been using cartoons, pets and children to sway the pocketbooks/wallets of the masses.

Subliminal massages do not need to be fed through secretly hidden commands… they are right on the open, guised as comedy and fantasy. They are master manipulators… it is why Christ stated that the children of the world are wiser than the children of God.

I commend DS’s strength and determination to Follow Christ rather than submit to the world.

May the Holy Spirit Bless him and protect him as he matures into a Vessel of Service to God, hopefully as a Holy Catholic Priest!

Maran atha!

Angel
 
I wouldn’t let my child watch it. I have been in therapy multiple times in my life. Each of my therapist’s projected their worldview onto me in the form of the advice they gave. It requires much discernment. You are doing well to question. I see some people follow them blindly because they are the “professionals”, and it can put souls in jeopardy.
 
pensmama87 said:
I can see how it might be useful to know a few details about something popular just to keep up with a conversation (as long as it’s appropriate). I’m surprised people still watch South Park too, but for another example - I don’t watch Game of Thrones, but I do know who the main characters are and the basic gist of the show, and most of the time when people talk about it they aren’t talking about the immoral parts, but plot developments and who they are rooting for as characters. Even if he doesn’t participate, it could be less bewildering for him to have a general idea of what’s popular with his peers.

Another analogy might be having an idea about local sports teams for talking around the water cooler at the office. I think that’s most likely what your son’s therapist is going for. She may not know herself much about South Park (especially depending on her age), but if your son brought it up as something he’s heard his peers mention, it’s possible that she naively thought it would be an OK thing for him to do.
Click to expand...
Hi!

…yeah, that sounds quite sound… but are we (Christians) participating in the efforts of the Darkness while holding that it is necessary to be able to join the popular culture?

Have you noticed that fantasy programs are not devoid of gods; there’s no morality or righteousness but there are plenty of gods… is that a coincidence?

Since everything that is presented in performing art comes from a written script, do you think that from the inception of an idea to the rehearsals no one thought, ‘hey, this sounds kind of awful, disrespectful, uncharitable, morbid, destructive, evil, anti-Christian?’ Is the reality not more like, all of what I expressed above but through the acknowledgment that ‘yeah, this sounds exactly what I want it to be…?’

It is one thing to engage others in conversation, it is another thing to engage wickedness so that you may have something to say/think as you “fit in:”
36But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.
Click to expand...
(St. Matthew 12:36)

22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy,[c] your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy,[d] your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! (St. Matthew 6:22-23)

If everything becomes permissible where would Christian find the distinguishing line?

Maran atha!

Angel
 
EmeraldOak said:
I wouldn’t let my child watch it. I have been in therapy multiple times in my life. Each of my therapist’s projected their worldview onto me in the form of the advice they gave. It requires much discernment. You are doing well to question. I see some people follow them blindly because they are the “professionals”, and it can put souls in jeopardy.
Click to expand...
Hi!

I doubt that these “professionals” do not take into account that their words may provoke Believers into acting against the Faith… and if they are anti-Christians what a better place to fight God than from the intimacy and vulnerability of the mind of those who are seeking their advice?

…there’s never been a time when *caveat emptor *has ever been more advisable!

Maran atha!

Angel
 
I think the therapist was on to something, it was just the specific show that was a bad idea. Pop culture does offer ways to bond, I recall “water-cooler talk” about the show Friends ears ago. Currently I have a coworker who keeps telling me I have to start watching GoT so we can geek out over that but I have zero interest in GoT…or even with bonding with any of my current coworkers.

Maybe there is a superhero TV show or movie that has fewer problems and use that to ease social interactions.
 
Bruised_Reed said:
I think the therapist was on to something, it was just the specific show that was a bad idea. Pop culture does offer ways to bond, I recall “water-cooler talk” about the show Friends ears ago. Currently I have a coworker who keeps telling me I have to start watching GoT so we can geek out over that but I have zero interest in GoT…or even with bonding with any of my current coworkers.

Maybe there is a superhero TV show or movie that has fewer problems and use that to ease social interactions.
Click to expand...
Hi!

Correct! There’s no problem with participating in social events… unless those events are dependent upon the unrighteous and occult.

I’m a tv junkey; I watch almost anything, once; I even tolerate some things for a while… but there comes a time when the program goes too far. At that time I fully reject it.

Not everyone is as capable; especially a young person seeking to “fit in” with his/her peers.

So why not promote wholesome programs/activities?

I’m way critical; I watch through analytical lenses; so what I may find interesting is not what others may find interesting… but I cannot recommend every show/program to Christians–specially the young.

A professional therapist should take into consideration the individual, his/her interests, and his/her family background when accessing what is/is not appropriate.

Maran atha!

Angel
 
1990Domer said:
Hello Friends:

My DS has mild Aspergers that presents itself as socially awkward. He starts high school at the end of the month. His therapist has been working on his social skills all summer (he’s really excited for school).

Anyhow, today she suggested that DS watch South Park. I know nothing about this show except DH said it’s like Family Guy on steroids. Her reasoning was to “fit in” because many kids watch it & DS would be able to get in on conversations about said show.

My thought: NO WAY!

I would love ❤️ feedback! God bless and thank you.
Click to expand...
Wow. That’s pretty terrible–especially with a kid who would be likely to glom onto something and obsess about it if he got into it.

I think the general principle is good (find something that other kids are into and help your kid get social currency), but the particular choice is bad.

When Big Girl was littler (7-10, probably) I think she got a lot of mileage out of her horse interest. It’s age and gender appropriate. I think she did go on and on about it (one of her teachers said she had a tendency to steer classroom discussion toward horses), but it had its place.

My kids have also gotten a lot of social mileage with Mario Kart, Skylanders, and Minecraft when older (tween and early teen).

I don’t know what 15 year old boys are into these days, but here are some of the general interest things that my 15 year old girl is currently into:

PokemonGo
ukulele (she teaches a monthly ukulele club at school)
listening to music (mostly theme songs–she also performs them)
horses (still, but probably a little less so)
My Little Pony
Star Trek (practically all the series) and Star Trek Online
Klingon language
art (lots of horses and space ships)
Latin club
student government

She’s currently working on learning to play the theme song from Star Trek Voyager. For her birthday this summer, we had cake and showed Galaxy Quest.

This is all **seriously **geeky, but a) there is a lot of synergy between her different interests and b) you’d be surprised how many people she connects with via these mostly rather eccentric interests.

There has never been a better time to be a seriously geeky kid.
 
jcrichton said:
Hi!

…yeah, that sounds quite sound… but are we (Christians) participating in the efforts of the Darkness while holding that it is necessary to be able to join the popular culture?

Have you noticed that fantasy programs are not devoid of gods; there’s no morality or righteousness but there are plenty of gods… is that a coincidence?

Since everything that is presented in performing art comes from a written script, do you think that from the inception of an idea to the rehearsals no one thought, ‘hey, this sounds kind of awful, disrespectful, uncharitable, morbid, destructive, evil, anti-Christian?’ Is the reality not more like, all of what I expressed above but through the acknowledgment that ‘yeah, this sounds exactly what I want it to be…?’

It is one thing to engage others in conversation, it is another thing to engage wickedness so that you may have something to say/think as you “fit in:”

If everything becomes permissible where would Christian find the distinguishing line?

Maran atha!

Angel
Click to expand...
I don’t necessarily disagree with any of this. But one has to keep in mind whether one is suited towards this kind of conversation when this comes up, and if their efforts are likely to be fruitful. Based on what the OP has said about her son, I doubt that he can navigate this kind of complexity successfully, especially considering his peers are adolescents.

I think a kind of hyperfocusing on the “what” (South Park) could be detrimental for the OP and her son. The point isn’t indulging in immoral media, it’s finding something in common with peers so he can more successfully interact with them. That’s definitely meritorious. If he’s constantly dismissed as strange or awkward or out of touch, what chance will he have at evangelizing? (If he is called to priesthood, especially in a parish, this will be something he has to contend with too.)
 
jcrichton said:
Hi!

(…)
So why not promote wholesome programs/activities?

I’m way critical; I watch through analytical lenses; so what I may find interesting is not what others may find interesting… but I cannot recommend every show/program to Christians–specially the young.

A professional therapist should take into consideration the individual, his/her interests, and his/her family background when accessing what is/is not appropriate.

Maran atha!

Angel
Click to expand...
Yes. The choice of show was inappropriate and not just because it’s not wholesome but even neurotypical kids will imitate the behavior in shows they watch and I think you want something that is not only popular (so it can build a bridge) but also character that we want young people to be inspired by and emulate. Is there anything out there that is wholesome and fun?
 
Bruised_Reed said:
Yes. The choice of show was inappropriate and not just because it’s not wholesome but even neurotypical kids will imitate the behavior in shows they watch and I think you want something that is not only popular (so it can build a bridge) but also character that we want young people to be inspired by and emulate. Is there anything out there that is wholesome and fun?
Click to expand...
I mentioned sports teams and that’s generally safe, as long as one is focusing on the game itself and not the off-the-field antics of players. There’s even space to get really, really absorbed in stats and playbooks and drafting (football talk is huge in my area, my husband is a total nerd about it, but that’s an advantage socially. I don’t follow it extensively, but I still know the names of the major players and the rules of the game, and can have casual conversations in the check out line etc.)

Depending on the size of his school, there are probably other people the OP’s son can find to share interests with. IIRC, he’s in public school, so faith and religion may be difficult, but there’s still Lord of the Rings kids, kids who like old movies, and a lot of the kinds of things that Xantippe mentioned. I went to public school not THAT long ago and I ran with a pretty innocent, nerdy crowd of “good kids.” Encouraging him to broaden his horizons in wholesome ways, and connect with other kids with other interests, should be very good for him!
 
I am a retired Resource Specialist with a MA and had the privledge of teaching students on the spectrum for 35 years. I’ve been retired 3 years, so I called a friend who is still teaching high school and she said the kids talk about Game of Thrones or any other show with dragons. One of the main problems that my students encountered was keeping track of homework and long term assignments. Most school districts now have a website where teachers post all class requirements, but it’s also great if he keeps his own, either in his phone or in a paper planner. There are loads of free programs for both iPhones and Android that help students keep track of school deadlines.

Does your dear son have a social group from middle school? You might be able to find another mom with the same grade son who could tell you more about what 14 year olds are “in to”! I’ll be praying for your son to love high school and grow socially as well as educationally.👍
 
I don’t think South Park is a good show at all…

What are your son’s current interests? It’s likely there would be others in school who would share them, though I understand it might be difficult to find them. Maybe there’s a club or something that could be joined?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top