Asperger's Syndrome

According to NationwideChildren's.org, Asperger's Syndrome is a developmental disorder. Young people with Asperger's Syndrome have a difficult time relating to others socially and their behavior and thinking patterns can be rigid and repetitive. Children with Asperger’s Syndrome exhibit poor social interactions, obsessions, odd speech patterns, limited facial expressions and other peculiar mannerisms. They might engage in obsessive routines and show an unusual sensitivity to sensory stimuli.

• Inappropriate or minimal social interactions

• Conversations that almost always revolve around themselves or a certain topic, rather than others

• Not understanding emotions well or having less facial expression than others

• Speech that sounds unusual, such as flat, high-pitched, quiet, loud, or robotic

• Not using or understanding nonverbal communication, such as gestures, body language and facial expression

• An intense obsession with one or two specific, narrow subjects

• Becoming upset at any small changes in routines

• Memorizing preferred information and facts easily

• Clumsy, uncoordinated movements, including difficulty with handwriting

• Difficulty managing emotions, sometimes leading to verbal or behavioral outbursts, self-injurious behaviors or tantrums

• Not understanding other peoples’ feelings or perspectives

• Hypersensitivity to lights, sounds and textures

Children with Asperger’s Syndrome often show no delays in their language development. They are likely to have good grammar skills and an advanced vocabulary, but they also tend to be very literal. They have trouble using language in a social context.

There may be no obvious delay in their cognitive development. Children with Asperger’s Syndrome can have problems with attention span and organization, but they usually have average intelligence.

At present, there is no “cure.” By learning to cope with the symptoms and pick up on social cues, a child can learn to overcome some of the challenges he faces. With help, parents can learn how to best support their child. People with Asperger’s Syndrome can do well in school and go on to be contributing members of their community.

Cognitive behavioral therapy can help address anxiety and other personal challenges.

Social skills training classes can help with conversational skills and understanding social cues.

Speech therapy can help with voice control.

Physical and occupational therapy can improve coordination.

Psychoactive medicines can help manage associated anxiety, depression and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).