Autism is a spectrum condition. All autistic people share certain difficulties, but being autistic will affect them in different ways. Some people with Asperger syndrome also have mental health issues or other conditions, meaning people need different levels and types of support. People with Asperger syndrome see, hear and feel the world differently to other people. If you have Asperger syndrome, you have it for life – it is not an illness or disease and cannot be ‘cured’. Often people feel that Asperger syndrome is a fundamental aspect of their identity.
People with Asperger syndrome don't have the learning disabilities that many autistic people have, but they may have specific learning difficulties. They may have fewer problems with speech but may still have difficulties with understanding and processing language.
With the right sort of support, all autistic people can be helped to live a more fulfilling life of their own choosing.
Asperger’s syndrome symptoms
They start early in life. If you're a mom or dad of a kid who has it, you may notice that they can't make eye contact. You may also find that your child seems awkward in social situations and doesn't know what to say or how to respond when someone talks to them. They may miss social cues that are obvious to other folks, like body language or the expressions on people's faces. For instance, they may not realize that when somebody crosses their arms and scowls, they're angry. Another sign is that your child may show few emotions. They may not smile when they're happy or laugh at a joke. Or they may speak in a flat, robotic kind of way. If your child has the condition, they may talk about themselves most of the time and zero in with a lot of intensity on a single subject, like rocks or football stats. And they might repeat themselves a lot, especially on a topic that they're interested in. They might also do the same movements over and over. They also may dislike change. For instance, they may eat the same food for breakfast every day or have trouble moving from one class to another during the school day.
How You Get a Diagnosis / Asperger’s syndrome
If you notice signs in your child, see your pediatrician. They can refer you to a mental health expert who specializes in ASDs, like one of these:
•Psychologist. They diagnose and treat problems with emotions and behavior.
•Pediatric neurologist. They treat conditions of the brain.
•Developmental pediatrician. They specialize in speech and language issues and other developmental problems.
•Psychiatrist. They have expertise in mental health conditions and can prescribe medicine to treat them.
The condition is often treated with a team approach. That means you might see more than one doctor for your child's care. The doctor will ask questions about your child's behavior, including:
What symptoms do they have, and when did you first notice them?
When did your child first learn to speak, and how do they communicate?
Are they focused on any subjects or activities?
Do they have friends, and how do they interact with others?
Treatment / Asperger’s syndrome
Social skills training. In groups or one-on-one sessions, therapists teach your child how to interact with others and express themselves in more appropriate ways. Social skills are often best learned by modeling after typical behavior.
Speech-language therapy. This helps improve your kid's communication skills. For example, they'll learn how to use a normal up-and-down pattern when they speak rather than a flat tone. They'll also get lessons on how to keep up a two-way conversation and understand social cues like hand gestures and eye contact.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). It helps your child change their way of thinking, so they can better control their emotions and repetitive behaviors. They'll be able to get a handle on things like outbursts, meltdowns, and obsessions.
Parent education and training. You'll learn many of the same techniques your child is taught so you can work on social skills with them at home. Some families also see a counselor to help them deal with the challenges of living with someone with Asperger's.
How is Asperger’s syndrome diagnosed?
Asperger’s syndrome is usually diagnosed in childhood. However, some people don’t recognise the condition until they are adults. If you think your child may have Asperger’s syndrome, you may want to talk to your doctor or child health nurse. Because Asperger’s syndrome is now diagnosed as a form of autism spectrum disorder, they may refer you to a medical specialist in diagnosing an autism spectrum disorder, or to a team of health professionals who work together in assessing children. There are no specific tests to diagnose Asperger’s syndrome. A medical specialist or team will talk to you and your child, and others in your family, and will observe your child to see if they meet certain criteria for Asperger’s syndrome. The assessment will usually include questions about social and emotional abilities, communication skills, learning abilities, movement skills and special interests.
People may find that being diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome in adulthood helps them to recognise that their behaviour, communication and relationship problems result from this condition. A diagnosis can help them to understand what they feel or the difficulties they experience. It can also help them to make suitable study or career choices.
Asperger’s Comes With Special Talents
Many people with Asperger’s syndrome view their symptoms as gifts. Some positive attributes that set apart some people with Asperger’s may include:
A high IQ
The ability to focus on something intensely
A remarkable rote memory
A unique sense of humor
A high esteem for fairness and honesty
Many people with Asperger syndrome have intense and highly focused interests, often from a fairly young age. These can change over time or be lifelong, and can be anything from art or music, to trains or computers. An interest may sometimes be unusual. One person loved collecting rubbish, for example. With encouragement, this particular person developed an interest in recycling and the environment.
Many channel their interest into studying, paid work, volunteering, or other meaningful careers or jobs. People with Asperger syndrome often say that the pursuit of such interests is fundamental to their wellbeing and happiness.
In fact, some individuals with Asperger’s are offended by the notion that their symptoms need to be “treated” or “cured.”
How do people with Asperger syndrome see the world?
Some people with Asperger syndrome say the world feels overwhelming and this can cause them considerable anxiety. In particular, understanding and relating to other people, and taking part in everyday family, school, work and social life, can be harder. Other people appear to know, intuitively, how to communicate and interact with each other, yet can also struggle to build rapport with people with Asperger syndrome. People with Asperger syndrome may wonder why they are 'different' and feel their social differences mean people don’t understand them.
Autistic people often do not 'look' disabled. Some parents of autistic children say that other people simply think their child is naughty, while adults may find that they are misunderstood.
About autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
Not all autistic children exhibit the same signs of autism or experience these signs to the same degree. That’s why autism is considered to be on a spectrum. There’s a wide range of behaviors and experiences that are considered to fall under the umbrella of an autism diagnosis. Here’s a brief overview of behaviors that may cause someone to be diagnosed with autism:
•differences in processing sensory experiences, like touch or sound, from those who are considered “neurotypical”
•differences in learning styles and problem-solving approaches, like quickly learning complex or difficult topics but having difficulty mastering physical tasks or conversational turn-taking
•deep, sustained special interests in specific topics
•repetitive movements or behaviors (sometimes called “stimming”), like flapping hands or rocking back and forth
•strong desire to maintain routines or establishing order, like following the same schedule each day or organizing personal belongings a certain way
•difficulty processing and producing verbal or nonverbal communication, like having trouble expressing thoughts in words or displaying emotions outwardly
•difficulty processing or participating in neurotypical social interactive contexts, like by greeting someone back who’s greeted them
Asperger’s vs. Autism: What are the differences?
Asperger’s and autism are no longer considered separate diagnoses. People who may have previously received an Asperger’s diagnosis instead now receive an autism diagnosis. But many people who were diagnosed with Asperger’s before the diagnostic criteria changed in 2013 are still perceived as “having Asperger’s.” And many people also consider Asperger’s as part of their identity. This is especially considering the stigma that still surrounds autism diagnoses in many communities around the world. Yet the only real “difference” between the two diagnoses is that people with Asperger’s may be considered as having an easier time “passing” as neurotypical with only “mild” signs and symptoms that may resemble those of autism.
Do treatment options differ for Asperger’s and autism?
Neither what was previously diagnosed as Asperger’s nor autism is a medical condition that needs to be “treated.” Those diagnosed with autism are considered “neurodivergent.” Autistic behaviors aren’t considered what’s socially typical. But that doesn’t mean that autism indicates there’s anything wrong with you. What’s most important is that you or someone in your life who’s been diagnosed with autism know that they’re loved, accepted, and supported by the people around them.
Not everyone in the autism community agrees that autistic people don’t need medical treatment. There’s an ongoing debate between those who see autism as a disability that needs medical treatment (the “medical model”) and those who see autism “treatment” in the form of securing disability rights, like fair employment practices and healthcare coverage.
Here are some treatment options for Asperger’s if you believe you or a loved one needs treatment for behaviors traditionally considered part of an Asperger’s diagnosis:
psychological therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
medications for anxiety or obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
speech or language therapy
dietary modification or supplements
complementary treatment options, such as massage therapy
Takeaway
The most important thing here is that Asperger’s is no longer a functional term. The signs that were once used to diagnose it belong more firmly in a diagnosis of ASD. And a diagnosis of autism doesn’t mean you or a loved one has a “condition” that needs to be “treated.” What’s most important is that you love and accept yourself or any autistic person you know.
Different names and terms for autism
Over the years, different diagnostic labels have been used, such as: autism, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), classic autism, Kanner autism, pervasive developmental disorder (PDD), high-functioning autism (HFA), Asperger syndrome and Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA). This reflects the different diagnostic manuals and tools used, and the different autism profiles presented by individuals.
Because of recent and upcoming changes to the main diagnostic manuals, 'Autism Spectrum Disorder' (ASD) is now likely to become the most commonly given diagnostic term. Asperger syndrome remains a useful profile for many diagnosticians and professionals.
Sources:
https://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/mental-health-aspergers-syndrome
https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/what-is-autism/asperger-syndrome
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/aspergers-syndrome
https://www.everydayhealth.com/aspergers/what-are-signs-symptoms-disorder/
https://www.healthline.com/health/aspergers-vs-autism#takeaway
Prepared by Viktorija Stučytė based on online sources
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