Asperger's: Quick Facts

Aspergers is:

· a disease, not a super power

· a form of autism that affects language less, but with difficulties with appropriate speech and communicative development

· a form of autism, which affects the way a person communicates and relates to others

· a highly functional form of autism

· a neurobiological disorder named for a Viennese physician, Hans Asperger, who published a paper in 1944 describing the autistic-like condition

· a neurobiological disorder, which falls at the 'high end' of the autistic spectrum

· a type of autism, which leads to difficulties in communication and understanding, and partners of people with the syndrome often don't know that their partners' behavior is due to a disorder

· characterized by social interaction difficulties and impairments related to a restricted, repetitive, stereotype behavior

· not the result of the way one is brought up

· often confused with ADD and ADHD

Aspergers Treatment:

· can help children learn how to interact more successfully with their peers

· focuses on the three main symptoms: poor communication skills, obsessive or repetitive routines, and physical clumsiness

· involves medication for co-existing conditions, cognitive behavioral therapy, and social skills training

· is geared toward improving communication, social skills, and behavior management

· is not a cure, but there are a number of different interventions that have been shown to be effective in reducing symptoms associated with AS

· mainly helps to build on the child’s interests, teaches the task as a series of simple steps and offers a predictable schedule

· requires an interdisciplinary approach

· should be tailored to meet individual needs

· strives to improve your child's abilities to interact with other people and thus to function effectively in society and be self-sufficient


More facts as reported by children and teens with Aspergers—

To talk to a person with Aspergers is like talking to a college professor.

Some doctors think Aspergers is the same as high functioning autism; other doctors think it’s more like a nonverbal learning disability.

The deferment of a Schizoid or Schizotypal or personality disorder for Aspergers is NOT under Aspergers disorder in the DSM.

Having Aspergers is like being on a different planet.

Sometimes having Aspergers is really annoying because, for example, at school, I get special treatment or other people pick on me because I'm weird or different.

While Aspergers is not classified as a learning disability, it is a disorder that impacts learning.

Treating Aspergers is a complex process that involves spending time with the child, gathering background information from parents and teachers, directly testing the child, and integrating information into a comprehensive picture.

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.

Speech pathologists, social workers, psychologists and developmental pediatricians all may be involved in treatment.

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