| Asperger syndrome is not a disease or illness. A | | | | - Anger and aggression when things do not |
| person does not catch it or recover from it, | | | | happen as they want. |
| however, the effects often lessen as people get | | | | - Sensitivity to criticism. |
| older and learn coping skills. It is present from | | | | - A narrow field of interests. For example a |
| birth but it usually takes a long time for people to | | | | person with Asperger syndrome may focus on |
| be convinced that the unusual behaviour and | | | | learning all there is to know about cars, trains or |
| difficulties of a child fit the pattern of Asperger | | | | computers. |
| syndrome. What are the basic Asperger | | | | - Eccentricity. |
| Syndrome Symptoms? | | | | Remember |
| Asperger Syndrome Symptoms: | | | | - Asperger syndrome is an autism spectrum |
| - Difficulty in forming friendships. | | | | disorder. |
| - A preference for playing alone or with older | | | | - Children with Asperger syndrome have excellent |
| children and adults. | | | | rote memory, but view the world differently and |
| - Ability to talk well, either too much or too little, | | | | have difficulty with social, emotional and |
| but difficulty with communication. | | | | communication skills. They are often seen as |
| - Inability to understand that communication | | | | eccentric. |
| involves listening as well as talking. | | | | - There is no cure, but support, understanding, |
| - A very literal understanding of what has been | | | | routine and training can assist. |
| said. For example, when asked to 'get lost', as in | | | | Asperger Syndrome Symptoms - Conclusion |
| go away, a person with Asperger syndrome will | | | | The most distinguishing Asperger Syndrome |
| be confused and may literally try to 'get lost'. | | | | Symptom is a child's obsessive interest in a single |
| - Inability to understand the rules of social | | | | object or topic to the exclusion of any other. |
| behaviour, the feelings of others and to 'read' | | | | Their speech may be marked by a lack of |
| body language. For example, a person with | | | | rhythm, an odd inflection, or a monotone pitch. |
| Asperger syndrome may not know that | | | | Many children with Asperger Syndrom are highly |
| someone is showing that they are cross when | | | | active in early childhood, and then develop anxiety |
| frowning. | | | | or depression in young adulthood. Other conditions |
| - Behaviour varies from mildly unusual to quite | | | | that often co-exist with AS are ADHD, tic |
| aggressive and difficult. | | | | disorders (such as Tourette syndrome), |
| - Having rules and rituals that they insist all family | | | | depression, anxiety disorders, and OCD. |
| members follow. | | | | |