Hello! I'm new here and am in need of some advice for my 13yr old with Aspergers. My son is very, very argumentative and negative. He isn't the quiet type - instead he is overly loud and has frequent meltdowns. Pretty much since the day he was introduced to video games, they became an obsession. Actually, I would really call it an addiction. Anyway, it is clear to me that the video games are preventing him from interacting with people - which in turn is causing him to be depressed because he never gets out there to make any friends. Whenever I try to put restrictions on the video games, it just becomes a NON-STOP argument about why he should have them back...he basically badgers me until I either give in or completely lose my temper.

I know that part of the problem is that I need to regulate them better. But it is very frustrating that he will just make everyone in the house miserable until he gets them. I have had a schedule before, but I always run into problems like him sneaking to play when I'm not home, arguing with me about the schedule, or meltdowns and tantrums about how he is miserable without them. Its like even though it is an obsession, it is also his security. His behavior seriously reminds me of a drug addict. I can't get him interested in anything else no matter how hard I try.

Anyone else deal with this? I'm really at my wits end...the whole family is.