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About Asperger Syndrome

Thought these spectrum disorders can affect two children with the same diagnosis in varying manners they may share certain behaviour patterns and can exhibit a wide range of abilities and skills. As a result these children show “low functioning,” “high functioning,” pervasive developmental disorders” and “autistic tendencies”. Kids with AS usually show the symptoms with “high functioning” autism.

About Asperger Syndrome

This disorder was named after the Viennese paediatrician, Hans Asperger in 1940. He first described a group of behaviour patterns which were apparent in some of his patients, mostly males. He noticed that though these boys had normal language development and intelligence, they had impaired social skills, had poor co-ordination and could not communicate very effectively with others.

According to the Asperger Syndrome Coalition of the United States, the onset of AS is much later than in autism or at least it is diagnosed later. Most kids are diagnosed between the ages 5 and 9, though many are diagnosed after age 3 as well. It is very difficult to understand the symptoms of a child with AS and so it is better that you let an experienced doctor or other health professionals make the diagnosis. It is not unheard of thought that a child is diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) before being diagnosed with AS at a later stage.

Symptoms and Signs

Minimal or inappropriate social interactions Most conversations are almost always revolving around themselves rather than others They have a lack of “common sense” They have “scripted,” “robotic,” or repetitive speech Obsession with complex topics such as patterns or music Problems with reading, math, or writing skills are apparent They have average to below-average nonverbal, cognitive abilities, though their verbal cognitive abilities are usually average to above-average odd behaviours or mannerisms awkward movements

Note: Unlike kids with autism, those with AS might show no delays in their language development. They usually have advanced vocabulary and good grammatical skills at an early age. However, they typically do exhibit a certain language disorder — they might have trouble using language in a social context and might be very literal.

Treating Asperger Syndrome:

As Asperger Syndrome behaviours and patterns can vary from child to child there isn’t a typical treatment regimen, but these following treatments could benefit your child as they can benefit greatly from the right programme which needs to be structured keeping the child’s needs in mind. You could contact Beach’s Therapy for a therapist to help you out at www.beachstherapy.com.au.

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