ASPERGER SYNDROME

Asperger Syndrome is named after a German psychiatrist who first described the condition in the 1940s. This syndrome differs from Autism in that individuals suffering from Asperger tend to have fewer problems with language development and experience less additional learning difficulties.

Individuals suffering from Asperger Syndrome experience problems in the areas of social interaction, communication(verbal and non-verbal) and flexibility of thought.They may lack imagination, have very intense and narrow interests and be very fond of routine. Their emotional development often is at a slower pace and they may react in a way similar to that of younger children. They often demonstrate greater degrees of frustration due to their inability to adequately express their emotions and to accurately interpret social situations.

Often they have difficulty working to a time limit and they may become tired quickly. They may experience difficulty in filtering out noise and distractions. They may appear clumsy and are often hesitant to tackle steps. They will often avoid looking at a person in the eyes possibly due to the fact that non-verbal cues are confusing to them.

On the positive side, children with Asperger often have good memories and extensive vocabularies.

What to do if you Suspect your Child Suffers from Asperger Syndrome?

Seek a professional who is qualified to accurately assess and diagnose the condition. There are a number of activites which can be done to improve the functioning of the child. If your child is diagnosed with Asperger, educate yourself regarding the condition and begin as soon as possible with activities specifically designed to assist in the development of your child.