Asperger syndrome
Asperger’s (AS) is a neurobiological disorder that has a profound effect on basic life skills. Asperger’s is attached to the autism spectrum on the high-functioning side. Asperger’s is what is known as a pervasive developmental disorder and it can hinder the way a child studies, learns and perceives the environment around him. Asperger’s is characterized by communication problems, difficulty relating to people, repetitive body movements, difficulty with changes in routine, obsession with certain topics or items, and unusual play with toys or other objects.
A child with Asperger’s disorder functions at a higher level than the typical child with autism. For example, many children with Asperger’s disorder have normal intelligence. While most children with autism do not develop language or have language delays, children with Asperger’s disorder are generally using words by the age of two, although their speech patterns may be somewhat odd. Asperger’s is more common in boys than in girls.
Children with Asperger’s disorder are also at risk for other psychiatric problems, including depression, attention deficit disorder, schizophrenia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Social–
Social skills are particularly challenging for the child with Asperger’s. There are two types of social skills deficits: cognitive deficits and cognitive distortions. Like other forms of autism, Asperger’s includes repetitive behavior patterns and impaired social interaction. The most common and important characteristics of Asperger’s can be divided into several broad categories: social handicaps, narrow but intense interests, and speech and language peculiarities. Although there is no single characteristic that is shared by all people with Asperger’s, difficulties with social behavior are almost universal and are one of the most important defining criteria.
As children with Asperger’s mature and realize their inability to connect, their fear of making a social mistake and their self-criticism when they do can lead to social phobia. Another important aspect of the social differences often found in people with Asperger’s is lack of core coherence. The combination of social problems and intense interests can lead to unusual behavior, such as greeting a stranger and launching into a long monologue about a special interest instead of introducing yourself in the socially accepted way. Children with Asperger’s can learn to manage their differences, but may still find challenges in social situations and personal relationships.
Symptoms can be seen by an obsessive absorption with inanimate objects, such as clocks and watches; or a predominant interest in systematic things like numbers, indexes, telephone directories, encyclopedias, dictionaries, and measurement scales.
Treatment–
A typical treatment program generally includes:
· social skills training, to teach the skills to interact more successfully with others;
cognitive behavioral therapy, to help better manage emotions that may be explosive or anxious, and to reduce obsessive interests and repetitive routines;
medication, for coexisting conditions such as depression, anxiety, and ADD/ADHD;
nutrition, related to improving Asperger’s tendencies, such as magnesium/vitamin B6 tablets
The most effective treatment is to use positive measures accompanied by techniques aimed at increasing the individual’s awareness and understanding of their behaviors and the effects on those around them. Currently, the most effective treatment involves a combination of psychotherapy, special education, behavior modification, and support for families.
Play to your child’s strengths by encouraging him to explore interests at home and at school. Activity-oriented groups and focused counseling can also be helpful.
Many children with Asperger’s syndrome also have other coexisting conditions, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), social anxiety disorder, and depression. These conditions may place additional demands on parents who are already dealing with a child with additional needs. These conditions may require treatment with medications and other therapies.
