Asperger's Syndrome: Comprehensive Summary

Aspergers syndrome is a form of autism, a disability that affects the way a person communicates and relates to others. Technically, Aspergers Syndrome is not a mental illness.

Syndrome

If you know of a child who is having a greater degree of language impairment than other children or has diminished communication skills and also exhibits a restrictive pattern of thought and behavior, he may have Asperger’s syndrome. The peculiar symptom of Asperger’s syndrome is a child’s obsessive interest in a single object or topic to the exclusion of any other. The child suffering from Asperger’s syndrome wants to know all about this one topic.

Social

Although children suffering from Asperger’s syndrome can mange themselves with their disabilities, the personal relationships and social situations are challenging for them. People with Asperger's syndrome have some traits of autism, especially weak social skills and a preference for sameness and routine. Children with Asperger's syndrome typically develop a good to excellent vocabulary, although they usually lack the social instincts and practical skills needed when relating to others. They may not recognize verbal and non-verbal cues or understand social norms, such as taking turns talking or grasping the concept of personal space. Children with Asperger's typically make efforts to establish friendships, but they may have difficulty making friends because of their social awkwardness.

Skills

Developmental delays in motor skills such as catching a ball, climbing outdoor play equipment or pedaling a bike may also appear in the child with Asperger’s syndrome. Your health professional will also test for understanding of nonverbal forms of communication and nonliteral language skills, such as understanding of humor or metaphor. Using computers can also help children improve fine motor skills and organize information.

Symptoms

In most cases, symptoms will present themselves before a child is 3 years old. Other Asperger’s symptoms include the inability to interact successfully with peers, clumsy and uncoordinated motor movements, repetitive routines or rituals, socially and emotionally inappropriate behavior, and last, but not least, problems with non-verbal communication. The therapy for the Asperger’s syndrome mainly concentrates on three-core symptoms: physical clumsiness, obsessive or repetitive routines, and poor communication skills. It is unfortunate that there is no single treatment for the children suffering from the entire three-core symptoms.

Treatment

The treatment package of Asperger’s syndrome for children involves medication for co-existing conditions, cognitive behavioral therapy, and social skills training. The Asperger’s syndrome treatment mainly helps to build on the child’s interests, teaches the task as a series of simple steps and offers a predictable schedule. Studies are on the way to discover the best treatment for Asperger’s syndrome, which includes the use of functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to identify the abnormalities in the brain which causes malfunction of the same, which in turn result in Asperger’s syndrome. Even the analysis of the DNA of the Asperger’s syndrome sufferers and their families may cause a break through in the treatment of the Asperger’s syndrome.

Language

The main difference between autism and Asperger’s syndrome is that the child suffering from Asperger’s syndrome retains his early language skills. It is classified as an autism spectrum disorder, one of a distinct group of neurological conditions characterized by a greater or lesser degree of impairment in language and communication skills, as well as repetitive or restrictive patterns of thought and behavior. Unlike children with autism, children with Asperger's syndrome retain their early language skills. In autistic children, language is often absent, lost, limited, or very slow to develop. In children with Asperger's, however, language development often falls within normal limits.

Parents

Many parents find comfort and build acceptance with help from support groups, counselling, and a network of friends, family, and community. A diagnosis is best made with input from parents, doctors, teachers, and other caregivers who know or who have observed the child. In the past 20 years, many parents have recognized that their child, originally diagnosed as "autistic" is actually an Asperger's child.

Support

In order to maintain an independent life, the Asperger’s syndrome sufferers require moral support and encouragement to work successfully in mainstream jobs. You can best serve your child by learning about Asperger’s syndrome and providing a supportive and loving home environment. Remember, your child, just like every other child, has his or her own strengths and weaknesses and needs as much support, patience, and understanding as you can give. Visual supports, including schedules and other written materials that serve as organizational aids, can be helpful.

Diagnosis

A diagnosis is based on a careful history of the child’s development, psychological and psychiatric assessments, communication tests, and the parents’ and clinicians’ shared observations. When making a diagnosis, your health professional will see if your child meets the criteria published in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR), a publication of the American Psychiatric Association. As the awareness of Asperger's syndrome increases, more people are seeking a diagnosis in the adult stage of life. There is a significant gender difference--males receive the diagnosis up to four times more often than females for reasons that are not well understood.

Speech

Sometimes their speech patterns and vocabulary may resemble that of a little professor. Individuals with Asperger's Syndrome are quite often easily understood, and have intelligible speech before being 4 years old.

Treatment

Treatment for Asperger's syndrome should be tailored to meet individual needs. Treatments address the three core symptoms of Asperger's syndrome: poor communication skills, obsessive or repetitive routines, and physical clumsiness. Treatment may also include social skills training, cognitive behavioral therapy, medication for co-existing conditions, and other measures. Treatment for Asperger’s syndrome strives to improve your child's abilities to interact with other people and thus to function effectively in society and be self-sufficient. Treatment is geared toward improving communication, social skills, and behavior management. Treatment for children with Asperger’s Syndrome requires an interdisciplinary approach. Studies are on the way to discover the best treatment for Asperger's syndrome, which includes the use of functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to identify the abnormalities in the brain which causes malfunction of the same, which in turn result in Asperger's syndrome.

An effective treatment program builds on the child’s interests, offers a predictable schedule, teaches tasks as a series of simple steps, actively engages the child’s attention in highly structured activities, and provides regular reinforcement of behavior. Occupational therapists can use this information and incorporate sensory processing into treatment interventions to children with Asperger’s syndrome. There is no single best treatment package for all children with Asperger's syndrome, but most professionals agree that the earlier the intervention, the better.

Medication

Medications for Asperger's syndrome are generally avoided, especially in young children, but may be recommended for specific symptoms, such as depression. Medication for depression may be recommended for adolescents with Asperger's syndrome. Medications may help improve specific behaviors, such as anxiety, depression or hyperactivity. Medication is also sometimes used to ease anxiety and depression, to increase attention span or to decrease significant compulsive or ritualistic behaviors.

The Parenting Aspergers Resource Guide: A Complete Resource Guide For Parents Who Have Children Diagnosed With Aspergers Syndrome.