subject: What Is Asperger's Syndrome? [print this page] If you know of a child who is having a greater degree of language impairment than other children or has diminished communication skills and also exhibits a restrictive pattern of thought and behavior, he may have Asperger's syndrome. This condition is more or less similar to that of classic autism. The main difference between autism and Asperger's syndrome is that the child suffering from Aspergers retains his early language skills.
The peculiar symptom of Aspergers syndrome is a child's obsessive interest in a single object or topic to the exclusion of any other. The child suffering from Aspergers wants to know all about this one topic.
Sometimes their speech patterns and vocabulary may resemble that of a little professor. Other symptoms include the inability to interact successfully with peers, clumsy and uncoordinated motor movements, repetitive routines or rituals, socially and emotionally inappropriate behavior, and last, but not least, problems with non-verbal communication.
Syndrome sufferers find difficulty mingling with the general public. Even if they converse with others, they exhibit inappropriate and eccentric behavior. The patient may always want to talk about his singular interest.
Developmental delays in motor skills such as catching a ball, climbing outdoor play equipment or pedaling a bike may also appear in the child with the disease. Children with this disease often show a stilted or bouncy walk, which appears awkward.
The therapy for Asperger's mainly concentrates on three-core symptoms: physical clumsiness, obsessive or repetitive routines, and poor communication skills. It is unfortunate that there is no single treatment for the children suffering from the entire three-core symptoms. But professionals do agree that the syndrome can be cured when the intervention is carried out at the earliest possible time.
The treatment package for this disease for children involves medication for co-existing conditions, cognitive behavioral therapy, and social skills training. The Asperger's syndromes treatment mainly helps to build on the child's interests, teaches the task as a series of simple steps and offers a predictable schedule.
Although children suffering from Asperger's syndromes can mange themselves with their disabilities, the personal relationships and social situations are challenging for them. In order to maintain an independent life, the Asperger's syndrome sufferers require moral support and encouragement to work successfully in mainstream jobs.
Studies are on the way to discover the best treatment for the disease, which includes the use of functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to identify the abnormalities in the brain which causes malfunction of the same, which in turn result in Aspergers. Clinical trials are being conducted to identify the effectiveness of an anti-depressant in these individuals. Even the analysis of the DNA of the Aspergers sufferers and their families may cause a break through in the treatment of the disease.
