| If your child has recently been diagnosed with | | | | learning of age-appropriate self-care skills |
| Aspergers Syndrome, then you likely have more | | | | If your child meets one or more of the above |
| questions than answers about this little-known | | | | criteria, then your doctor may suspect Aspergers. |
| diagnosis. | | | | Is my child crazy or mentally ill? |
| This article presents answers to some of parents' | | | | Aspergers Syndrome in and of itself is not a |
| most common questions about Aspergers | | | | mental illness; it is a developmental disorder. |
| Syndrome. | | | | However, it is fairly commonly associated with |
| What IS Aspergers Syndrome? | | | | the following conditions: |
| Aspergers Syndrome, named for Hans Asperger, | | | | * Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) |
| an Austrian physician, is a milder form of autistic | | | | * Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) |
| disorder. Both conditions are part of a larger | | | | * Depression |
| group of neurological disorders known in the US | | | | * Bipolar Disorder |
| as Pervasive Developmental Disorders, or PDD | | | | * Generalized Anxiety Disorder |
| for short. The 2 most common symptoms are | | | | * Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) |
| eccentric behavior and self-imposed social isolation. | | | | How is Aspergers Syndrome treated? |
| Sometimes speech is affected as well as gait and | | | | There aren't any treatments for Aspergers that |
| motor skills. Your child may also be exclusively | | | | will make it "go away." However, by using a |
| focused on a particular area of interest, such as | | | | combination of approaches that address the three |
| cars or astronomy. The social isolation comes | | | | core symptoms of the disorder (poor |
| from the child wanting to know everything about | | | | communication skills, obsessive or repetitive |
| his or her area of interest and little else. | | | | routines and physical clumsiness); you can help |
| Conversations are usually focused only on that | | | | your child live a fairly normal life. It's also |
| area as well. | | | | important to start treatment as early as possible. |
| What causes Aspergers Syndrome? | | | | The treatment approaches your doctor |
| Experts believe that Aspergers and autism have | | | | recommends may include: |
| underlying biological causes, but are not clear yet | | | | * Psychotherapy |
| on what those causes are. They do know that | | | | * Parent education & training |
| there are certain brain structure abnormalities, but | | | | * Behavior modification |
| do not know why they occur. | | | | * Social skills training |
| How are Aspergers Syndrome and autism | | | | * Educational interventions |
| different? | | | | * Medications, such as stimulants, mood stabilizers, |
| Aspergers usually begins later in childhood and has | | | | antidepressants, and SSRIs |
| a more hopeful outlook. The child tends to | | | | Is there any cure for Aspergers Syndrome? |
| function at a higher level with Aspergers too. | | | | Unfortunately, there is no cure for this condition, |
| Aspergers children tend to be clumsy, but overall | | | | and children do not "grow out" of it either. It is |
| have less neurological deficits than autistic children. | | | | likely that your child will always find social |
| How does the doctor know for sure that my child | | | | situations and personal relationships to be |
| has Aspergers Syndrome? | | | | challenging. But many adults with Aspergers are |
| Diagnosis of most any mental/emotional disorder | | | | able to live healthy, productive lives, although they |
| tends to be one of ruling out other conditions and | | | | may always need support to do so. |
| noting certain patterns of behavior. There is no | | | | What do I need to do as a parent of a child with |
| definitive test for Aspergers, but there are | | | | Aspergers Syndrome? |
| certain patterns, including: | | | | The most important thing you can do is to get |
| * Significant impairment in social interaction, as | | | | your child into a treatment regime early and then |
| demonstrated by: | | | | stick with it, even during the tough times. It will be |
| - impaired nonverbal communication | | | | worth it in the long run if you take steps to |
| - failure to develop age-appropriate peer | | | | support your child's progress and help him or her |
| relationships | | | | adjust and adapt. You can serve as case |
| - lack of shared enjoyment of activities | | | | manager or coordinator, and try to involve all of |
| surroundings with others | | | | your child's caregivers in treatment as much as |
| - unable to reciprocate socially and/or emotionally | | | | you can. You should teach your child self-help skills |
| * Repeated patterns of behavior or interest, such | | | | as he/she grows and develops. Look for |
| as: | | | | treatment and educational programs that address |
| - abnormal intensity of interest in one or two | | | | your child's problem areas. Get support for |
| specific areas | | | | yourself too. You won't be at your best with your |
| - rigid rituals that serve no functional purpose | | | | child if you're exhausted and frustrated. |
| - repetitive mannerisms, such as hand or finger | | | | Hopefully, these answers have addressed some |
| flapping | | | | of your most pressing questions. To learn more, |
| - persistently preoccupied with parts of objects | | | | search for information on the Web at reputable |
| * Significant impairment in developmental areas of | | | | sites or look for a book at your local bookstore. |
| functioning (social, occupational and other areas) | | | | Also, talk with your pediatrician and never be |
| * No significant delay in language | | | | afraid to keep asking questions until you get |
| * No significant delay in cognitive development or | | | | answers you can understand. |