In this article I will explore the symptoms of Aspergers
Syndrome.
There are a number of symptoms associated with both
children and adults with Aspergers Syndrome. These symptoms
include:
1. Difficulty with social relationships - Many people with
Aspergers syndrome have problems in understanding how other
people think and feel.They find it difficult to understand
facial expressions and all the non-verbal signals people
use to communicate in everyday life. This can lead to
socially inappropriate behavior. Some people with Aspergers
want to be sociable and enjoy the company of other people
whilst others are happy with their own company.
2. Difficulty with communication - People with Aspergers
syndrome do not usually have the speech problems
experienced by people with classic autism, they can be good
talkers. The problems with communication lie in their
inability to take notice of the reaction of the people they
are talking to; they may continue to talk about one topic
even though the other person has become (or never was)
interested. Their tone of voice may seem flat and they fail
to use appropriate facial expression or make eye contact.
3. Lack of imagination - People with Aspergers syndrome
often excel at factual work, the kind of work that deals
with facts and statistics but they can find it hard to use
their imagination. They may have narrow areas of interest
that they can become fanatical about and they can become
attached to specific routines, for example always doing
things in the same order when getting ready to go out in
the morning. If for some reason they cannot follow their
routine they can become upset and agitated or even angry.
4. Other - Many people with Aspergers also have
difficulties dealing with change and may lack what is
considered to be basic common sense. However people with
the condition are not 'backward' in any way and usually
have average, if not higher than average levels of
intelligence. In fact it is said that many of the so-called
"techno-nerds" that work at the cutting edge internet and
computer companies in Silicon Valley, near San Francisco,
may well have Aspergers. And those guys have some serious
brain matter!
To give some background; Aspergers syndrome is a form of
autism that was defined by an Austrian pediatrician over 50
years ago. Autistic Spectrum Disorder (autism) is a
life-long developmental disability that affects social and
communication skills. Each person with autism displays
different symptoms and behavior; some people with autism
remain non-verbal and will need life-long care. Other
people with the condition live independent lives, hold down
careers, go to university, get married and have children.
People with Aspergers syndrome are usually at this more
'able' end of the spectrum. Like autism, Aspergers
syndrome, seems to be caused by a biological difference in
the brain's development. In many cases there appears to be
a genetic cause; there are many cases of autism and
Aspergers syndrome running in the same family. One study
has estimated that 3 to 7 in 1,000 people have Aspergers
Syndrome. People with Aspergers Syndrome share many of the
same characteristics as people with autism but they usually
do not have any accompanying learning disabilities.
Those with Aspergers syndrome are different and unique
people in their own right. However social problems, unusual
verbal and non-verbal expressions and specific interests do
seem to be common features of Aspergers. Sensory problems
can be an area of difficulty for people with Aspergers.
This means that certain sights, noises, tastes and textures
can bother the person more than they would a person without
Aspergers. Problems with food and eating are common.
Many people mistakenly believe that children with Aspergers
are simply naughty and that they can be dealt with in the
same way as children without the condition. Often, what
appears to be 'bad' behavior on the part of the child has
been triggered by something that has upset them. That is
not to say that all of the child's behavior can be excused
because of the Aspergers or that you shouldn't try to
explain why certain behaviors are unacceptable. Separating
what is Aspergers and what is deliberately poor behavior is
difficult, with many parents claiming to never be entirely
sure if they have got it right. However a 50-50 approach is
advisable. A person with Aspergers should try to learn the
necessary social skills to function in regular, everyday
life but if we are living or working closely with someone
with the condition we too should try to enter into their
world at times in order to understand them better.
----------------------------------------------------
Dave Angel is a social worker with families who have
children on the Autistic Spectrum and is the author of a
new e-book that answers the 46 most asked questions by
parents of children with Asperger's. To claim your free 7
day Mini-Course for parents of children with Asperger's
Syndrome visit:
http://www.parentingaspergers.com today.
No comments:
Post a Comment