Asperger Syndrome Describing Disorder to Parent

Asperger Syndrome: Describing Disorder to Parents

The Definition

One of several neurological disorders classified under the title of autism spectrum disorders, Asperger syndrome is considered to be the mildest of autism forms. First identified by Hans Asperger, an Austrian pediatrician, this disorder has some symptoms in common with classic autism, such as difficulties in communication, social interaction, motor skills, and sensory processing. However, unlike classic autism, Asperger syndrome does not include the risk of intellectual impairment or general language delay.

What Asperger Syndrome Is Not

While Asperger Syndrome is a pervasive developmental disorder that is included on the autism spectrum, it typically does not carry the same level of disability or severity of symptoms that are found in other forms of autism. Your child will read, write, and speak, and he will not be affected by mental retardation. In fact, IQ scores among individuals with Asperger syndrome vary from the normal range to the intellectually superior. Children with Asperger syndrome are unlikely to show any language delay, and most will achieve age appropriate developmental benchmarks. To the untrained eye, your child won't seem much different than the average child; he may simply appear a bit shy, clumsy, or awkward in social situations.

Characteristics of Asperger Syndrome

Asperger syndrome is characterized by a range of possible symptoms. As with any autism spectrum disorder, symptoms vary widely from one affected individual to another. Many of the symptoms listed are common in the general population, so having one or even a few of them does not necessarily indicate Asperger Syndrome. Rather, a diagnosis is made when enough of these symptoms are present to meet established clinical criteria for Asperger syndrome. With Asperger syndrome, describing the disorder to parents can be essential to ensuring that symptoms are noticed and treated with appropriate therapies, such as speech, occupational, or physical therapy.

Social Interaction

Among the most common characteristics shared by those affected by Asperger syndrome is difficulty in relating to others. While the typical child with Asperger syndrome is grammatically skilled and has an age appropriate or even advanced vocabulary range, social conversation may be a struggle. Tending to be very literal, they may not grasp the more subtle nuances of language, like irony, sarcasm, or humor. Speech, while often technically well developed, may be high pitched, unusually fast, or lack inflection, or thoughts might be expressed with no regard to social discretion.

Children with Asperger syndrome may not be capable of reading the non-verbal cues that are common in social interaction, such as gestures or facial expression. This often leads to the tendency to make social blunders, such as going on about a subject well after their partner in conversation has had enough. This lack of social awareness is often misunderstood in social settings, seen as rude or self-absorbed behavior, making it difficult for many individuals with Asperger syndrome to make and keep friends.

Sensory Issues

Among the symptoms that may be seen in a child with Asperger syndrome are unusual sensitivities. Lights, sounds, or textures that others may not notice can be highly irritating to those with autism spectrum disorders. Your child may find certain clothing intolerable, the feel of it against the skin causing discomfort. Noisy or brightly lit environments may cause anxiety, or certain smells or colors may cause stress. This type of hypersensitivity to sensory stimulus is quite common with Asperger syndrome.

Hyposensitivity, which is the other extreme of sensory impairment, is also possible in children with Asperger syndrome. Children who are hyposensitive may not notice sensory input, failing to feel pain when they are hurt or unable to process certain tones or sounds. Physical discomfort, such as the feeling of a full bladder or hunger pains may not register, or changes in temperature may go unnoticed.

Intensely Focused Interests

Among the most frequent and striking symptoms of Asperger syndrome is the tendency towards intense focus on a narrow field of interest. Whether it is mathematics, science, or music, or any of a million other possibilities, those displaying this symptom will often immerse themselves in the details, living and breathing the subject, often to the exclusion of all other activities.

Motor Issues

Fine and gross motor skills can be affected by Asperger syndrome. Children may have an awkward gait when walking, or appear uncoordinated when running or participating in physical activities. Handwriting may be very sloppy, and other tasks that require the use of fine motor skills may be difficult to master. Repetitive movements or gestures may be a problem.

Asperger Syndrome: The Good Points

While raising a child with Asperger syndrome can be full of day-to-day challenges, it by no means is the end of the world. In fact, you should take heart in knowing that the majority of people with Asperger syndrome, or "Aspies" as some call themselves, grow up to have rich, full lives. Many find their intense interest in certain subjects an advantage, helping them to excel in a related profession. Complex systems are often easily mastered by those with Asperger syndrome, and brilliant, creative minds abound within the Aspie community. It has been rumored that great minds like Einstein and brilliant businessmen like Bill Gates might have been easily diagnosed with Asperger syndrome were they tested, and a quote attributed to Hans Asperger himself states that “ It seems that for success in science and art, a dash of autism is essential.”