| Aspergers (AS) is a neurobiological disorder, which has | | | | combination of social problems and intense interests |
| a profound affect on basic life skills. Aspergers is | | | | can lead to unusual behavior, such as greeting a |
| attached to the autism spectrum on the high | | | | stranger by launching in to a lengthy monologue about |
| functioning side. Aspergers is what is known as a | | | | a special interest rather than introducing oneself in the |
| pervasive developmental disorder and one that can | | | | socially accepted way. Children with Aspergers can |
| hamper how a child studies, learns and perceives the | | | | learn to manage their differences, but they may |
| environment around them. Aspergers is characterized | | | | continue to find social situations and personal |
| by communication problems, difficulty relating to people, | | | | relationships challenging. |
| repetitive body movements, difficulty with changes in | | | | Symptoms may be seen by obsessional absorption |
| routine, obsessing about certain topics or items, and | | | | with inanimate objects, such as watches and clocks; or |
| unusual play with toys or other objects. | | | | a predominant interest in systematic things like |
| A child with Asperger's Disorder functions at a higher | | | | numbers, indices, telephone directories, encyclopedias, |
| level than the typical child with autism. For example, | | | | dictionaries, and measuring scales. |
| many children with Asperger's Disorder have normal | | | | Treatment-- |
| intelligence. While most children with autism fail to | | | | A typical treatment program generally includes: |
| develop language or have language delays, children | | | | · social skills training, to teach the skills to more |
| with Asperger's Disorder are usually using words by | | | | successfully interact with others; |
| the age of two, although their speech patterns may be | | | | · cognitive behavioral therapy, to help in better |
| somewhat odd. Aspergers is more common in boys | | | | managing emotions that may be explosive or anxious, |
| than in girls. | | | | and to cut back on obsessive interests and repetitive |
| Children with Asperger's Disorder are also at risk for | | | | routines; |
| other psychiatric problems including depression, | | | | · medication, for co-existing conditions such as |
| attention deficit disorder, schizophrenia, and | | | | depression, anxiety, and ADD/ADHD; |
| obsessive-compulsive disorder. | | | | · nutrition, related to improvement of Asperger |
| Social-- | | | | tendencies, such as magnesium/vitamin B6 tablets |
| Social skills are particularly challenging for the child with | | | | The most effective treatment is using positive |
| Aspergers. There are two types of social skill deficits: | | | | measures accompanied by techniques aimed to |
| cognitive deficiencies and cognitive distortions. Like | | | | increase the individual's awareness and understanding |
| other forms of autism, Aspergers includes repetitive | | | | of their behaviors and the effects on those around |
| behavior patterns and impairment in social interaction. | | | | them. Currently, the most effective treatment involves |
| The most common and important characteristics of | | | | a combination of psychotherapy, special education, |
| Aspergers can be divided into several broad | | | | behavior modification, and support for families. |
| categories: social impairments, narrow but intense | | | | Take advantage of your child's strengths by |
| interests, and peculiarities of speech and language. | | | | encouraging him or her to explore interests at home |
| Although there is no single feature that all people with | | | | and at school. Activity-oriented groups and focused |
| Aspergers share, difficulties with social behavior are | | | | counseling can also be helpful. |
| nearly universal and are one of the most important | | | | Many children with Asperger's syndrome also have |
| defining criteria. | | | | other coexisting conditions, including attention deficit |
| As children with Aspergers mature, and become | | | | hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, |
| aware of their inability to connect, their fear of making | | | | obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), social anxiety |
| a social mistake, and their self-criticism when they do | | | | disorder, and depression. These conditions can place |
| so, can lead to social phobia. Another important aspect | | | | extra demands on parents who are already dealing |
| of the social differences often found in people with | | | | with a child with extra needs. These conditions may |
| Aspergers is a lack of central coherence. The | | | | require treatment with medications and other therapies. |