Aspergers & Split Personality

Question

Is it common for a child with Asperger’s to have a split
personality? My son is a really good kid at school, but
then a complete monster at home. Is this normal?

Answer

Asperger’s Syndrome is known to manifest itself differently
with different children. Also, children with Asperger’s
Syndrome may react differently to various situations
depending on their individual personalities. Your child may
feel more comfortable with the familiar surroundings at
home, and feel freer to act out more at home than in public,
where he is surrounded by strangers and in a less familiar
environment. The stress of school may be relieved by a
“meltdown” or other difficult behaviour at home. This is a
common occurrence.

Dr. Tony Attwood, a clinical psychologist, is a world
renowned expert on Asperger’s Syndrome. Here is what he
says about split personality and Asperger’s. “Quite a few
children with Asperger’s Syndrome are Dr. Jeckylls and Mr.
Hydes. They are saints at school, but they soak up the
anguish, then squeeze it out on their brothers and sisters
when they get home. We do not know why this happens…”

Asperger’s is treated in two ways, and both of them help
manage the anxiety that accompanies this illness. The first
is cognitive psychology, and the second is prescription
medication. The first thing you need to do in order to help
your son is to find a psychiatrist or psychologist who
specializes in Asperger’s Syndrome. This specialist will be
able to help your son. He or she will help you and your son
discover the reasons behind his behavioral changes.

In addition, a specialist will help you do two things:

1. Modify the situation or the environment in which he lives
to reduce difficult behaviour;

2. Create interventions for handling your son’s anxiety.

Please don’t be intimidated. Changes don’t have to be
complex or unmanageable. The changes you need to make might
just involve changing lighting to a lower level, adjusting
sound levels in your home, or creating a new schedule.

If initial interventions do not help, a psychiatrist can
prescribe medications which will provide your son with the
help he needs. It’s important to note that psychotropic
(mood-altering) drugs like Zoloft or Prozac can help
children, but they can also cause serious problems for
children. If the psychiatrist prescribes medication, ask
about dosage levels and, more importantly, side effects.
Just about all drugs have side effects, and it’s important
for you to know about them so you know what to expect. You
know your son better than anyone else; ask yourself if he
can handle side effects like nausea, hypersensitivity, or
prolonged sleepiness. These are all possible, depending on
the medication prescribed.

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