Asperger's Syndrome - Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment - NC
Asperger's Syndrome - Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment - NC
Asperger's Syndrome - Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment - NC
Asperger's Syndrome
Asperger’s Syndrome, a form of Autism Spectrum Disorder, is a
developmental disorder. Young people with Asperger’s Syndrome have a
di cult time relating to others socially and their behavior and thinking
patterns can be rigid and repetitive.
Generally, children and teens with Asperger’s Syndrome can speak with others and can perform fairly
well in their school work. However, they have trouble understanding social situations and subtle
forms of communication like body language, humor and sarcasm. They might also think and talk a
lot about one topic or interest or only want to do a small range of activities. These interests can
become obsessive and interfere with everyday life, rather than giving the child a healthy social or
recreational outlet.
Boys are three to four times more likely than girls to have Asperger’s Syndrome. Most cases are
diagnosed between the ages of ve and nine, with some diagnosed as early as age three.
The name for Asperger’s Syndrome has o cially changed but many still use the term Asperger’s
The name for Asperger s Syndrome has o cially changed, but many still use the term Asperger s
Syndrome when talking about their condition. The symptoms of Asperger’s Syndrome are now
included in a condition called Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). ASD is now the name used for a wide
range of autism-like disorders. Some providers may still use the term Asperger’s Syndrome, but
others will say “ASD – without intellectual or language impairment.” These two syndromes are, for
the most part, the same.
While all children with Asperger’s Syndrome are different, what sets them apart are their unusual
social skills and obsessive interests. For a child with Asperger’s Syndrome, you may see one or more
of the following symptoms:
• Conversations that almost always revolve around themselves or a certain topic, rather than
others
• Not understanding emotions well or having less facial expression than others
• Speech that sounds unusual, such as at, high-pitched, quiet, loud, or robotic
• Not using or understanding nonverbal communication, such as gestures, body language and
facial expression
Children with Asperger’s Syndrome often show no delays in their language development. They are
likely to have good grammar skills and an advanced vocabulary, but they also tend to be very literal.
They have trouble using language in a social context.
There may be no obvious delay in their cognitive development. Children with Asperger’s Syndrome
can have problems with attention span and organization, but they usually have average intelligence.
We do know that Asperger’s Syndrome is NOT the result of a child’s upbringing or poor parenting.
Asperger’s Syndrome is a neurobiological disorder, meaning it is just a part of the child’s brain
development, whose causes are not fully understood.
If a parent is concerned about a child’s social development, unusual language patterns, and odd
behaviors, a pediatrician should be consulted. The pediatrician can determine if the child should be
seen by a specialist, such as a developmental pediatrician, psychologist, or other clinician who is
familiar with ASD.
Testing and assessment usually involve a team of medical and psychological professionals. The
specialists will ask the parent many questions about the child’s development and current skills and
problems. They will also interact with the child and conduct assessments to evaluate what
symptoms the child shows when interacting with others. They may also assess the child’s language
and intellectual abilities. A medical doctor might ask questions or order tests to make sure there are
no other medical concerns for the child.
Asperger’s Syndrome (also known as “Autism Spectrum Disorder - without intellectual or language
Asperger s Syndrome (also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder without intellectual or language
impairment”) may be di cult to diagnose. Sometimes this condition can be confused with other
conditions such as Attention De cit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) (/conditions/attention-de cit-
hyperactivity-disorder), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) (/conditions/obsessive-compulsive-
disorder) or Oppositional De ant Disorder (ODD) (/conditions/oppositional-de ant-disorder).
Making sure to evaluate the child’s social and communication skills, their patterns of behavior and
thinking, and how these symptoms have developed over time will help the assessor provide the
correct diagnosis.
• Behavior supports
• Speech-language therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Medication
At present, there is no “cure.” By learning to cope with the symptoms and pick up on social cues, a
child can learn to overcome some of the challenges he faces. With help, parents can learn how to
best support their child. People with Asperger’s Syndrome can do well in school and go on to be
contributing members of their community.
When Should I Seek Help?
Treatment should be done while a child's brain is still developing. If you notice signs of Asperger’s
Syndrome or any of the symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder in your child, see your pediatrician.
She or he can refer you to a mental health expert who specializes in diagnosing this type of disorder.
Related Conditions
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (/conditions/autism-spectrum-disorder)
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