There is some evidence that kids with ASPERGERS may see a lessening of symptoms as they mature. Up to 20% of kids may no longer meet the diagnostic criteria as grown-ups, although social and communication difficulties may persist. As of 2006, no studies addressing the long-term outcome of people with ASPERGERS are available and there are no systematic long-term follow-up studies of kids with ASPERGERS.
People with ASPERGERS appear to have normal life expectancy, but have an increased prevalence of comorbid psychiatric conditions (e.g., major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder) that may significantly affect prognosis.
Although social impairment is life-long, the outcome is generally more positive than for people with lower functioning autism spectrum disorders. For example, autism spectrum disorders (ASD) symptoms are more likely to diminish with time in kids with ASPERGERS (AS) or high functioning autism (HFA). Although most students with AS/HFA have average mathematical ability and test slightly worse in mathematics than in general intelligence, some are gifted in mathematics. ASPERGERS has not prevented some grown-ups from major accomplishments such as winning the Nobel Prize.
Kids with ASPERGERS may require special education services because of their social and behavioral difficulties, although many attend regular education classes. Teens with ASPERGERS may exhibit ongoing difficulty with self care, organization and disturbances in social and romantic relationships. Despite high cognitive potential, most young adults with ASPERGERS remain at home, although some do marry and work independently.
Anxiety may stem from (a) preoccupation over possible violations of routines and rituals, (b) being placed in a situation without a clear schedule or expectations, or (c) concern with failing in social encounters. The resulting stress may manifest as inattention, withdrawal, reliance on obsessions, hyperactivity, or aggressive or oppositional behavior.
Depression is often the result of (a) chronic frustration from repeated failure to engage others socially, and (b) mood disorders requiring treatment may develop. Clinical experience suggests the rate of suicide may be higher among teens with ASPERGERS, but this has not been confirmed by systematic empirical studies.
Education of families is critical in developing strategies for understanding strengths and weaknesses. Helping the family to cope improves outcomes in ASPERGERS kids. Prognosis may be improved by diagnosis at a younger age that allows for early interventions, while interventions in adulthood are valuable, but less beneficial.
The Aspergers Comprehensive Handbook
7 comments:
Just Jennifer Boisvert I've observed a lessening with my son yet the social isms still persist. It was a looooooonnngggg road, but it is so much better than it was even 3 years ago.
27 minutes ago · Like · 1 person
Yara Victória Pereira
I don't know... I myself am Asperger. Does being a child and learning make it look or feel like it is more dificul? Does growing up make you learn how to cope with what is expected of you? Because I feel the same dificulty about things inside me.. I just don't freak out much about it because it has become rotine to deal with things, and growing up is always challeging for anyone. And I don't feel better trying to pretend all is good. I feel I should have the right to express myself, but people wouldn't understand, only thing we learn is that its not socialy comfortable for others... and we should learn how to socialize and not freak out others.
Terrie Johnson Wolf Yara, I love what you wrote a lot, it reminds me of something I would journal because no one would understand what I was saying! I
3 minutes ago · Like
Terrie Johnson Wolf My son is 15, everday it seems he matures and is able to put up with something else. I try and tell him all the time how great he is and how I know that he is the one doing a lot of the changing and that in itself show much more about him and his character than it does about all of ours.
Karen Gomez Vega i keep telling my 7 year old that things may be more difficult for him than other kids but he is smarter than his brain (the best way i can describe it at his age) and that he can train his brain to over come most any obstacle. i truly believe that this is possible with a lot of hard work.
13 hours ago · Like
My 5 year old Aspie has all the tell tale signs of Asperger's syndome, to the point where it seems like everything I've ever read was written with him in mind. Except for one key difference...my son is extremely social. He is very popular among other kids, they almost fight for his attention. They love the fact that he can recite comic books word for word, and remembers the names of even the most obscure Star Wars characters, and because he is a people pleaser he will share anything he has to maintain the friendship. He worries very much about how other kids see him and trys obsessively to fit in. I know all children with Asperger's syndrome are different, but my question is, is this very uncommon in Asperger's? I feel people "don't believe" he is on the spectrum because of his social skills.
Parenting Aspergers Children - Support Group He must be high functioning. Aspergers is on the high functioning side of autism anyway - but some are higher than others. So, "uncommon"? I would say yes.
Keturah Broadwood
My 7 year old is high function Aspergers. He is overly social but has no boundaries. He hugs and has no personal space. We are often told that there is no way he could have Aspergers but they don't realise that this behavour is only one aspect of Him. When he meltdowns over getting dressed or getting in the car I have no doubt. At the end of the day you are his parent and see Him for who he is and everything he does trust yourself.
16 hours ago · Like · 2 people
Jessica Swift My aspie is very social in that he loves being around other kids, but he isn't popular. He highly lacks in social skills despite his "socialness". It's like he wants friends but making friends is hard and he doesn't realize whenever someone is being mean.
16 hours ago · Like
Jessica Swift By the way my son is almost 8 and the "social rules" have gotten a lot more complicated from when he was 5.
16 hours ago · Like
Jillian Gomes
Thank you guys :) Keturah, my son is is the same as far as boundaries, when he plays with other kids we have to remind him to back up because he will talk (very loudly) into their face instead of to it. @ Jessica, you're absolutely right, what is accepted at 5 won't be at 8. I know my son also won't understand when someone is being mean to him. You guys gave me lots of food for thought and I really appreciate your input :).
16 hours ago · Like
Keturah Broadwood I agree, Jessica. My son loves being with other children but just doesn't seem to know how to play WITH them. He orders them around and expects to play all games his own way. Every year seems to get harder as the social gap between the kids getts wider. In his defense he is starting to learn more and more social ideas though doesn't seem to understand why we do them.
16 hours ago · Like
Erica Jean Rutherford
Ryan was diagnosed HFA/Asperger's and he is how you guys describe. He loves people, but has no social "skills" -- he can't tell when people don't want to play with him or talk to him. He tries to hug on perfect strangers in stores and such. He is bossy with HOW games are played (everyone has to follow his rules or they can't play anywhere near him).
I don't think that this type of social behavior is uncommon at all for Aspies. Many areas of documentation explain this as fairly typical Asperger's behavior... it's one of the determining factors that separates it from other areas on the spectrum. They generally WANT friends, they just don't know HOW to make them, where other auties are more or less oblivious to everyone else around them.
What seems to happen as the children get older and the social gap becomes larger and your Aspie son is still quoting comic books and Star Wars characters when all the other boys are chasing girls, they become less social. They learn that the other kids don't want to do the things they want to do, and then they begin to focus less on the social interaction.
15 hours ago · Like
Keturah Broadwood
A friend of mines son is 14 with aspergers. He wants to interact but has so much trouble. We were all introduced to him as a wonderful child who has an interesting view on life. Our group of friends are great. The 14yr old likes to shake everyones had when they arrive and then walks off. We are glad that despite the fact that he knows how different he is he trys to make an effort. I hope that I am blessed to still have this group of friends when my 7yr old is that old.
9 hours ago · Like · 1 person
Jessica Swift Yah, I do think the gap gets bigger as they get older. My son really gets along better with either younger children or adults because of this. He used to quote star wars too, btw, lol! Now he is constantly talking about Final Fantasy 7, and most kids don't even have a clue what that is since it is an old playstation game. Thankfully my hubby is a huge gamer and can carry a conversation with him. lol
August 10 at 4:36pm · Like · 1 person
Katie Cullen McGoey
I will add my vote to that of the other commenters. My son is the same way - playing 'next to' not with, or fully directing the game choices, character choices, rules and all else whenever he does attempt to play 'with' someone - and forbid they don't want to play along by his rules, then we have arguments and meltdowns because he can't tolerate "that's not how you play". His poor sister - she feels like she can't win; its all about him! ...
August 11 at 11:25am · Like
Katie Cullen McGoey ...This summer we sent them to "social skills camp" for the summer (so they could both learn), where the whole focus was on learning those skills - they are teaching the "how to" very systematically. Rome wasn't built in a day, but after 6 weeks we've seen improvement. On facebook you can find the camp for info - it is Camp Excel in NJ, for anyone local...
August 11 at 11:32am · Like · 1 person
Katie Cullen McGoey ...But good luck to all - its just who they are, and we just have to adapt and continually educate others so they can too. I just keep up my own mantra: "it's all good" and smile broadly at the fact that while he may be socially challenged, my son is smart and has a heart of gold, despite the fact that he doesn't verbalize it.
August 11 at 11:32am · Like
Christie Hess Johnson Thank you for posting this...it is like you were talking about my son. He was always described as "too social to have Aspergers," but I knew he did. And he talks to anyone and everyone, but very loudly. I am glad to know there are others who have had the same experience.
8 hours ago · Like · 1 person
Jillian Gomes Same with my son (speaks very loudly, and in a monotone), he also uses a "robotic" voice sometimes.
Post a Comment