For a mom or dad who suspects their youngster may have Aspergers, what are the common symptoms to look out for?
Answer
Aspergers is a developmental disorder that affects a youngster's ability to socialize and communicate effectively with others. Kids with Aspergers typically exhibit social awkwardness and an all-absorbing interest in specific topics.
Signs and symptoms of Aspergers include:
• Appearing not to understand, empathize with, or be sensitive to others' feelings
• Displaying unusual nonverbal communication, such as lack of eye contact, few facial expressions, or awkward body postures and gestures
• Having a hard time "reading" other people or understanding humor
• Having an odd posture or a rigid gait
• Moving clumsily, with poor coordination
• Showing an intense obsession with one or two specific, narrow subjects, such as baseball statistics, train schedules, weather or snakes
• Speaking in a voice that is monotonous, rigid or unusually fast
Autism and Aspergers are difficult to diagnose especially in young kids where language and cognitive skills are still developing. All kids are different, and many toddlers show a sign or symptom of Aspergers at some point. It's natural for small kids to be egocentric, and many little ones show a strong interest in a particular topic, such as dinosaurs or a favorite fictional character. These alone aren't reasons to be alarmed!
However, if your youngster has frequent problems in school or seems unable to make friends, it's time to consult your pediatrician. These difficulties have many possible causes, but developmental disorders such as Aspergers shouldn't be ruled out.
The Parenting Aspergers Resource Guide: A Complete
Resource Guide For Parents Who Have Children Diagnosed
With Aspergers Syndrome.
2 comments:
Hilary Ann Baird a child with aspergers has a completely different brain, we may not always be able to verbalize things but its doesnt mean theres no thought process or that we dont care about others or we would be robots
2 hours ago · Like · 1 person
Hilary Ann Baird some kids with aspergers may or may not have trouble with class material and understanding it, they may also be very gifted even if grades dont show it
2 hours ago · Like · 1 person
Hilary Ann Baird another thing to look for is "meltdowns" they are the result of anxiety disorder which is very common in ppl with aspergers
2 hours ago · Like · 1 person
Sherri Caldwell Our tells in school evaluation were obsessive preoccupation on one subject or activity (rocks, at the time), tendency to not look people in the eye and, yep, seemingly random meltdowns/tantrums -- thank god we get it now, not random at all! Sensory and/or social interaction/anxiety issues.
about an hour ago · Like
Sherri Caldwell I think a big difference between ADHD & Aspergers is ADHD kids still motivated to please, outward focus; Aspies much more inner-focus - their own little world.
Mia Colon Yes sherri my son who is 14 is very self absorbed, if there is no benefit to him in some way he has no interest in it at all.
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