Asperger’s Syndrome is a disorder that is generally considered as high functioning in the Autism spectrum. Aspergians suffer from several impairments, namely social challenges with motor skills. They have difficulty with communication in a variety of ways. They have self-imposed rules or patterns that are usually very restrictive.
Aspergians have characteristics like Intellectual and Artistic interest, Speech differences, Delayed Motor development, Poor Social skills, the development of harmful psychological problems, detail-oriented persistence, not socially driven, high integrity, masters of routine.
Asperger’s Syndrome (AS) is one of a group of neurological disorders as Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). Asperger’s Syndrome is considered being a mild end of the spectrum.
Difference between Asperger’s Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder
Although Asperger’s Syndrome has officially changed many still use it to point out the difference in the condition. The symptoms of Asperger’s Syndrome are now included in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Nowadays, ASD is the common term used for a wide range of autism-like disorders. Although some still use the term Asperger’s Syndrome, others use it to mention “ASD- without intellectual or language impairment”. These two syndromes are, mostly, the same.
Symptoms of Asperger’s Syndrome in Children
Symptoms vary in persons with Asperger’s Syndrome, but in children, they often have an obsessive focus on a narrow topic of interest.
Children with Asperger’s Syndrome will develop an all-consuming interest in things like train schedules or dinosaurs, for instance. This interest is often one-sided conversations with peers and adults.
They are unaware of the other person’s attempt to change the conversation. This is the major reason that children with Asperger’s Syndrome have difficulties with social interactions.
Another important factor is they cannot read facial expressions and also body language. They even find it hard to recognize other people’s feelings, as it is common for people with this condition to avoid eye contact when they speak with others.
Children with Asperger’s Syndrome will speak in a monotone and display a few facial expressions. They have difficulty in knowing when to lower the volume of their voices to accommodate their location.
They have difficulty with essential motor skills, like running or walking. They also lack coordination and unable to do certain tasks, such as climbing or riding a bike.
Asperger’s Syndrome affects more in males than females. To enhance the quality of life in AS children teaching original strategies can be followed.
How to get diagnosed?
First, parents are the foremost important people who can find a difference in their child. Later they normally go to the pediatrician for consulting. These pediatricians then refer to other mental health experts in ASDs, like:
Psychologists: They diagnose and then treat problems with emotions and behaviors.
Pediatric Neurologists: They treat the conditions in the brain.
Developmental Pediatrician: They specialize in speech and language issues and other developmental problems.
Psychiatrist: They expertise in mental health conditions and can prescribe medicine to treat them.
Developing Asperger’s Syndrome quality
If we diagnosis accurately it will lead to a better understanding of the challenges the person is facing, and it may enable the individual to access support.
Different therapies can help the person adapt their behavior for a better social outcome, and also to deal with anxiety. This will reduce the risk of social isolation.
These kids can be trained by
Education & Academic Skills: A child with Asperger’s Syndrome can enjoy educational support. It aims to include organizing notes, managing homework goals, and addressing any specific learning needs. Most children with AS are best suited for the mainstream school environment.
Social skills: It induces them to learn strategies that can enhance interactions with others. By learning how to read and respond to social cues, they are gaining confidence.
Communication skills training: Specialized speech and language therapy can help the person in learning how to start and maintain a conversation. It also includes learning how to use a tone of voice in questions, confirmations, disagreements, and instructions, and how to interpret and respond to verbal and non-verbal cues.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy: This helps to learn control of emotions and decrease obsessive interests and repetitive routines.
Behavior Modification: This helps to include strategies for supporting positive behavior and decreasing ineffective behavior.
Occupational Therapy: This helps with sensory integration problems or poor motor coordination.
Medicines: There are no specific medications for Asperger’s Syndrome, but alternative medicines can treat anxiety.
Alternative Remedy: Studies suggest that special diets, such as gluten-free diets and vitamin supplements, can be beneficial. Anecdotal evidence suggests that a regular intake of fish oils helps in anxiety and some cognitive issues.
Alternative therapies for ASD are music therapy, sensory integration therapy, acupuncture, and massage.
Causes
A combination of genetic and environmental factors that causes changes in brain development may cause AS. Some cases may be a cause of hereditary. Researchers also found out that environmental factors in early pregnancy, and also complications during delivery, may have an impact.
Studies found out in recent years the number of Asperger’s Syndrome affected kids have increased in all parts of the world. Although countries like the USA, Canada, European Countries have accepted that and give treatments to face the challenge, some countries have not yet recognized the issue.
Countries like India, who always have a top level of expectations from kids, are still trying to digest the fact about AS and ASD. Also, schools that expect a top level of competition from kids are not accepting these types of kids and immediately brand them to ASD and don’t give admissions for them. Many schools are result-oriented and accepting these kids will tend them to the next level in competition.
Although, a state like Kerala has recognized these kids. They made their state schools accept them by putting forth rules, but still, it is a long way to go.
As these kids with Asperger’s Syndrome are increasing and accepting them is becoming an enormous challenge, still, parents are in a dilemma with longing if they will accept their kids. Will society make the parents accept their kids or regret? Only time will accept their challenge.
