
one of six Autism Spectrum Disorders. Asperger ‘s, also known as Asperger’s Disorder, is considered clinically less disabling than classic autism. People with Asperger’s syndrome can be very high functioning in the optimal environment. Children with Asperger’s will develop language skills in a normal way, but may have difficulties with social interaction and motor development. Children with Asperger’s are known to fixate on certain behaviors and ideas and gravitate toward repetitive activities. Asperger’s syndrome was first observed and documented in 1944 by Austrian psychiatrist Hans Asperger. It was not clinicallyidentified in America until the 1990s. Since then, the causes of Asperger’s have been speculated to be everything from genetic predispositions to oxygen deprivation during birth. Aspergerlike symptoms do tend to run in families. No definitive cause for Asperger’s is currently recognized. However, modern brain imaging techniques have identified structural and functional differences in the Asperger brain. Current research suggests that these differences are caused from abnormal neural wiring, which forms during embryonic development. Some doctors think that Asperger’s is not a separate entity from classic autism and refer to Asperger’s as high-functioning autism (HFA). Asperger’s children usually have speech anomalies. Their speech may appear monotone or formal. They may also have associated auditory difficulties. They may misunderstand language or interpret figures of speech literally. They may have a lack of animation in facial expressions and gestures. Some clinicians report physical clumsiness and late motor skill development. However, they are usually normal and above normal in intelligence. One in 5,000 children will be diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome and boys are more likely to be diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome than girls. It is increasingly diagnosed in adults who seek medical attention for attention deficit disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and depression. The hallmark of children of Asperger’s is their fixation on particular ideas and objects. Sometimes the fixation will be a period of history, a particular automobile, or even a toy. Most conversations will be about their topic of interest and they may come across as an expert on it. Doctors use observational techniques to diagnose Asperger’s. Children who don’t seem interested in their peers, or avoid interactive play may have Asperger’s. They may also seem aloof, avoid eye contact, and may not respond to their name when called, or not point to objects or use gestures when communicating. A medical team approach is normally used for a definitive diagnosis. The team will usually include a neurologist, psychologist, speech therapist and psychiatrist. Many children of Asperger’s will also suffer from anxiety and depression. Asperger’s treatment will focus on the areas of communication skills, physical coordination, and obsessive routines. Early intervention is recommended. Therapy for Asperger’s is highly structured and utilizes reinforcement-learning techniques. Group therapy for communication skill training is usually helpful. Parenting training for a child of Aspergers’ caregivers is used to teach behavioral and communication techniques. Speech therapy can also help improve communication skills. Physical therapy and occupational therapy for motor skill development may be recommended for the Asperger child. Many repetitive behaviors are linked to anxiety. This is true for the general population not simply for children of Asperger’s. Symptoms of anxiety may be treated with medications like tricyclics and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and also with talk therapy. Psychostimulents may be prescribed for symptoms of hyperactivity, impulsivity, and attention problems. Depression with Asperger’s is more likely to be treated in the adolescent or young adult with tricylic medications. Mood stabilizers and beta blockers may be used for irritability, according to some sources. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or tricyclics are also used to treat the rituals and compulsions of the Asperger victim. Most adults with Asperger’s syndrome are highly functioning. They may never feel completely comfortable in all social environments, but they usually can function well enough to work and form relationships with support from family, friends and caregivers.
researcher Sheli Ellsworth
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