Aspergers Syndrome Treatments

Treatment team

Aspergers syndrome treatments vary according to the individual's specific needs. No single approach is effective in treating all cases of AS, and it may require a combination of interventions to achieve success. The process begins with identifying the person's strengths and deficits.

Aspergers Syndrome Treatments

Asperger's disorder is an incurable condition, and many people argue that there is no need to find a cure for the symptoms of Aspergers. However, some treatment approaches for AS can be effective in helping the individual improve motor skills, communication and social skills.

Identifying Strengths and Needs

The first step is identifying the person's strengths and needs to create a viable treatment plan. Using a person's strengths can help him reach goals outlined in the treatment plan, which the treatment team selects according to his needs.

Treatment plan goals are attainable using a step-by-step approach, in which the individual masters skills little by little. Achieving short-term objectives eventually leads to successfully reaching long-term goals as outlined by the treatment plan. The specific Aspgergers syndrome treatments depend on the goals, and on the interventions used to reach them.

Speech Therapy

While many people with AS have remarkable vocabularies, they may have great difficulty understanding subtle nuances of social communication. The focus of developing communication skills is on social interaction rather than building vocabularies and learning the rules of grammar.Typical children learn the ins and outs of social interaction naturally, but children on the autism spectrum may have to learn these skills intellectually, the way others learn math. Speech therapy can address some problems including:

  • Articulation
  • Volume and tone control
  • Natural rhythm and cadence of language
  • Humor and sarcasm
  • Figurative language
  • Eye contact
  • Use and interpret gestures
  • Interpret facial expressions and body language
  • Engaging in reciprocal (give and take) conversation

Speech therapy for Aspergers may overlap with social skills training for the condition.

Social Skills

Social skills training for AS can be implemented at anytime during a child's development, and into adolescence and adulthood. Group sessions to develop social skills, and treatments depend on the symptoms that the individual wants to overcome. Social skills training in group therapy is an excellent approach because the participants can serve as role models as they develop skills.

Play therapy for children can help them make connections with others. This type of therapy can use a child's interests as motivational tools that keeps him engaged in the interactions. Floortime and RDI are two popular play therapy approaches for autism spectrum disorders.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

People with Aspergers are intelligent, and they can use their logical tendencies to their benefit with cognitive behavioral therapy. This treatment for Asperger's disorder seeks to help the individual use thought processes to control behaviors. The approach involves talking about emotions and developing ways to cope with them.

  • Recognize emotions
  • Develop listening skills
  • Curb impulsive behavior
  • Using words or behavioral strategies to replace outbursts
  • Lessen stereotyped repetitive movements
  • Manage obsessions and ritualistic behavior

Physical and Occupational Therapy

Many people with Aspergers may experience difficulty with motor skill development. Some people may have problems with fine motor skills, which may require occupational therapy. Problems with fine motor skills can interfere with daily routines and learning in the following ways:

  • Writing, drawing and coloring
  • Buttoning, snapping and zippering
  • Getting dressed
  • Opening containers
  • Using keys and utensils

Problems with gross motor skills may require physical therapy, which can help with:

  • Coordination and balance
  • Posturing
  • Taking reciprocal steps down stairs
  • Running, walking and climbing

Physical therapy and occupational therapy can overlap with sensory integration therapy.

Sensory Integration

Processing sensory information can be challenging for a person on the autism spectrum. Sensory integration works by helping the individual manage sensory input while providing a release. In some cases, the person needs to calm and organize a hyperactive system, and in others, the person has to get stimulation for a hypoactive system.

Sensory integration techniques depend on the person's symptoms and self-stimulatory behaviors. For example, if a person engages in flapping, he may need to use his hands for release. Techniques include:

  • Swinging
  • Jumping on trampolines
  • Sensory bins filled with tactile objects (rice, sand, silky fabrics)
  • Obstacle courses

Parent and Family Training

It is important to remember that the entire family is a critical part of the treatment plan, no matter what age the affected person is. Families can benefit from learning about Asperger syndrome therapies that they can use at home on a regular basis. While many of the symptoms of AS may require little or no treatment, many strategies can help a family member with a diagnosis improve his or her quality of life.