Asperger’s syndromeis also a disorder that affects a child’s development. As such, a person with this disease will have problems with language and communication. The problems may also include restrictive, repetitive thought and behavior patterns.
Some disorders that can be confused with Asperger’s include: classic autism, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder (PDD).
Children with autism and those with Asperger’s share some common symptoms. One difference between the two that may be helpful in diagnosing autism is that Asperger’s Syndrome sufferers do not lose the language skills they already have.
Classic Asperger’s symptoms include repetitive customs or habits, abnormalities in the child’s speech or language, trouble with nonverbal communications, and clumsiness and other issues with dexterity of motor movements. One thing to remember when interacting with kids with AS is to be careful and cautious and to remain patient when obtaining data for evaluation of their symptoms since these children usually feel cut off from the world and do not relate well with other people.
These children can sometimes be so detached because of their inability to communicate and interact well, that it is possible to observe from up close or at a distance, the child’s motor skills (like gait), and inappropriate or odd behavior, without distressing them.
There is no cure-all that addresses all the symptoms of Asperger’s Syndrome. The best approach is to coordinate all the child’s therapies and to begin treatment as early as possible to facilitate a better outcome for the child.
The most helpful management strategy for Asperger’s seems to be to combine treatments and therapy that makes use of the child’s previously learned skills as well as his or her hobbies. These intervention strategies will help Asperger’s Syndrome sufferers through step concepts which allow the person to learn in a way that will work for them. There is also a need for the individual’s good behavior which in turn allows his or her success to continue to build on previous successes. |