Aspergers Syndrome
A few years ago hardly anyone had heard about Aspergers Syndrome but recently there has been a lot of exposure about it in the media. A non medical way of describing children with Aspergers is to say they have "mild autism". Most children with Aspergers have a normal to high IQ. The difficulty is that although they have a good IQ they suffer with profound social difficulties. They find social interaction extremely difficult due to an inability to "read and interpret" non verbal interaction. Nonverbal language is often narrowly defined as gestures and body language, but this is a simplification.
In addition to gestures and body language, sometimes what we don’t say can be " nonverbal". For instance, not answering a question could communicate many things, like not knowing the answer, or not having actually heard the questioner, or dismissing the question as inappropriate or not worthy of answering. Often most of our communication is not the words we use but the way we use them and the expression or tone of voice. Just how tough is it to live with Aspergers? Evidence suggest that between 70% to 90% of all communication is non verbal, so the answer is that living with Aspergers can be a real disability. Very often the person or child with Aspergers appears normal , so it is only during conversation and interaction that you pick up there is something odd about the interaction. One may be left feeling a bit confused about the child or adult with Aspergers. Aspergers kids can be teased and bullied for being weird and strange. Sometimes Aspergers kids are called geeks! People with Aspergers also tend to become obsessed with topics that interest them. Common examples of this in children is obsessively talking about and repeating facts about dinosaurs or TV programs. The following famous people have been thought to have aspergers - Bill Gates, Albert Einstein and Vincent van Gogh to name a few.
Recently on Sky News there has been much discussion about a man, Gary McKinnon, who has been diagnosed with Aspergers and has been accused by the US government of being responsible for hacking into 97 government computers belonging to organisations including the US Navy and Nasa. The US government is trying to extradite Gary so that he can be tried in the US. Gary McKinnon claims that he was looking for evidence of extra-terrestrial life. If you would like to read more about Gary McKinnon click here to look at the Sky News Website.
There is a movie currently on circuit (which we will preview in the next Whats On Newsletter) called Adam. This movie is about a man, called Adam, who has Aspergers and the story is about his relationship with a woman he meets after his father dies and the difficulties he faces.
I urge you all to read more about Aspergers. It is estimated that between 2 and 6 people in every 1000 may have Aspergers. Which means that at most large schools you may find that there is a child with Aspergers. Aspergers is more common in boys.
To read more about Aspergers here are a few interesting links:
The Geek Syndrome click here
20 Facts about children with Aspergers
A book to read - Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's
If you have a child or teen with Aspergers you may wish to receive a regular newsletter about coping with Aspergers. Here is a link to a good site which has a newsletter sent by email each week.
Asperger syndrome or AS is one of several autism spectrum disorders (ASD) characterized by difficulties in social interaction and by restricted, stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests and activities. AS is distinguished from the other ASDs in having no general delay in language or cognitive development. Motor clumsiness and atypical use of language are frequently reported. Please read more about Aspergers Syndrome on the Support for Parents Page
Asperger syndrome or AS is one of several autism spectrum disorders (ASD) characterized by difficulties in social interaction and by restricted, stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests and activities. AS is distinguished from the other ASDs in having no general delay in language or cognitive development. Although not mentioned in standard diagnostic criteria, motor clumsiness and atypical use of language are frequently reported.
Asperger syndrome is named after Austrian pediatrician Hans Asperger who, in 1944, described children in his practice who lacked nonverbal communication skills, failed to demonstrate empathy with their peers, and were physically clumsy. Fifty years later, AS was standardized as a diagnosis, but questions about many aspects of AS remain. For example, there is lingering doubt about the distinction between AS and high-functioning autism (HFA); partly due to this, the prevalence of AS is not firmly established. The exact cause of AS is unknown, although research supports the likelihood of a genetic basis; brain imaging techniques have not identified a clear common pathology.
There is no single treatment for Asperger syndrome, and the effectiveness of particular interventions is supported by only limited data. Intervention is aimed at improving symptoms and function. The mainstay of management is behavioral therapy, focusing on specific deficits to address poor communication skills, obsessive or repetitive routines, and clumsiness. Most individuals with AS can learn to cope with their differences, but may continue to need moral support and encouragement to maintain an independent life. Researchers and people with AS have advocated a shift in attitudes away from the notion that AS is a deviation from the norm that must be treated or cured, and towards the view that AS is a difference rather than a disability.
For more details relating to support in South Africa look at the support website
An Affirmation for Aspergers:
I am not defective. I am different
I will not sacrifice my self-worth for peer acceptance
I am a good and interesting person
I will take pride in myself
I am capable of getting along with society
I will ask for help when I need it
I am a person who is worthy of others’ respect and acceptance
I will find a career that is well suited to my abilities and interests
I will be patient with those that need time to understand me
I am never going to give up on myself
I will accept myself for who I am
Links to intersting & informative Websites
Do you need help finding information about Aspergers. Your Little Professor Website is very comprehensive with information for Teens, School achivement, friendship, diet & exercise.
