Asperger’s Disorder
Asperger’s Disorder
Asperger’s Disorder
Asperger’s or Asperger syndrome (AS) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by having difficulty in interacting socially with other people. Most cases are diagnosed in childhood, with signs showing by the time the child is two years old, but Asperger’s can also be diagnosed in adulthood.
The symptoms of Asperger’s can cause significant impairment in functioning at home, work, school, or social settings, so the earlier the diagnosis and treatment plan, the better prepared someone can be for the future.
Asperger syndrome is considered to be the mildest condition on the autism spectrum. When diagnosed in adults, it can be due to the condition being missed or incorrectly diagnosed as something else when the individual is younger.
“Autism Spectrum Disorder”. National Institute of Mental Health.
Prevalence
Asperger’s affects approx. 0.5% of the global population and affects more males than females, which may in part be due to females showing a different mix of symptoms to males.
Symptoms of Asperger’s Disorder:
Asperger’s is generally identified in people with difficulty in typical everyday social interactions. As with autism, early diagnosis and intervention for Asperger’s is very important for the future quality of life of the individual.
Early signs
In the first year, a child with Asperger’s has no significant delay in learning language, intellectual development, behavior, curiosity about their surroundings, or the development of age-appropriate self-help skills.
Between the ages of two and five, other symptoms may appear like:
Asperger’s is demonstrated by a minimum of two of these symptoms during social interaction:
Teenagers and adults
These symptoms can lead to people with Asperger’s mistakenly seeming insensitive.
Treatment of Asperger’s Disorder:
Asperger’s is a complex syndrome, and there is no single treatment. While it affects each person differently, having the child enter the right treatment method, once identified, will help them function better in challenging social settings, as well as help them identify and operate in their strengths.
Assessments examine symptoms, communication patterns, current and past behaviors, social interaction skills, motivations, and expectations. They also look at how the individual’s brain and nervous system influence their thought process and behavior.
Treatment options include non-pharmacological approaches such as:
In addition to crafting a comprehensive treatment plan, a doctor will seek to gain a full understanding of the child’s strengths and weaknesses in order to best help them navigate the now and work toward a successful future.
Many children with Asperger’s have symptoms can actually be strengths, and with the right guidance and support, these can be leveraged later in their career.
Remarkable skills commonly found in people with Asperger’s are:
Symptoms of Asperger’s Disorder:
Asperger’s is generally identified in people with difficulty in typical everyday social interactions. As with autism, early diagnosis and intervention for Asperger’s is very important for the future quality of life of the individual.
Early signs
In the first year, a child with Asperger’s has no significant delay in learning language, intellectual development, behavior, curiosity about their surroundings, or the development of age-appropriate self-help skills.
Between the ages of two and five, other symptoms may appear like:
Asperger’s is demonstrated by a minimum of two of these symptoms during social interaction:
Teenagers and adults
These symptoms can lead to people with Asperger’s mistakenly seeming insensitive.
Treatment of Asperger’s Disorder:
Asperger’s is a complex syndrome, and there is no single treatment. While it affects each person differently, having the child enter the right treatment method, once identified, will help them function better in challenging social settings, as well as help them identify and operate in their strengths.
Assessments examine symptoms, communication patterns, current and past behaviors, social interaction skills, motivations, and expectations. They also look at how the individual’s brain and nervous system influence their thought process and behavior.
Treatment options include non-pharmacological approaches such as:
In addition to crafting a comprehensive treatment plan, a doctor will seek to gain a full understanding of the child’s strengths and weaknesses in order to best help them navigate the now and work toward a successful future.
Many children with Asperger’s have symptoms can actually be strengths, and with the right guidance and support, these can be leveraged later in their career.
Remarkable skills commonly found in people with Asperger’s are: