What is Asperger Syndrome?
Asperger’s syndrome is one type of neurodevelopmental disorder. It falls under the umbrella of the term autism spectrum disorders. It is characterized by some sort of repetitive and restrictive movement disorder which causes obstacles in communication and social abilities.
People with Asperger’s syndrome suffer from confusion as well as anxiety due to their problems in interaction skills. Usually, the child affected with Asperger’s syndrome shows signs in its early life. Research suggests male children are more affected than female ones.
Symptoms and signs of Asperger syndrome
Not all children show the same signs or behave similarly. They all are unique in their ways. But some similarities or certain patterns are seen in all of them.
- Signs of Asperger’s syndrome can be identified by the children’s restrictive behavior. They may sound monotonous or robotic. They conduct a very formal speech.
- They follow an obsession regarding any subjects, like to be involved in collecting, listing anything, or numbering any objects.
- They tend to do things according to certain rules and routine wise. Change in their schedule makes them very anxious.
- Usually, they are socially isolated. They fail to keep relations among others and withdrawal from people is often seen among them.
- They face issues in maintaining proximity with others.
- They have delayed motor development. Stiffness is present in their gait.
- Less facial expressions, memorizing specific details easily, difficulty in understanding crude emotions of others, sometimes hypersensitivity to sound, light all these things are seen in people with Asperger’s syndrome.
Causes
- The exact etiology of Asperger’s syndrome is not known. Changes in the development of brain development tend to cause it.
- Though it is suspected that it may result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors.
- It may have some hereditary reasons, some genetic factors may contribute to developing Asperger’s syndrome.
Diagnosis
- Physical tests carry no significant value in diagnosing Asperger’s syndrome, still doing blood tests, hearing tests and X-rays helps you to exclude other diseases which can mimic Asperger’s syndrome.
- You may need to consult a pediatric specialist as well as a psychiatric specialist. After assessing the child and taking the development history of the child, the doctor may diagnose Asperger’s syndrome.
Treatment
After diagnosing Asperger’s syndrome accurately it may resolve some of the problems.
Some sorts of therapies help them to lead a better life.
- Getting proper education and increasing academic skills helps them lead a better life.
- Acquiring communication training is a good option to improve the syndrome.
- Learning social skills to increase the interactions among people.
- Suggesting Cognitive behavioral therapy to reduce obsession and repetitive behavior.
- Getting speech and behavioral therapy helps them a lot.
- Occupational therapy is also required by them.
No specific cure is not present but some medicines are used such as
- SSRI
- Risperidone
- Aripiprazole to decrease irritability or agitation.
- Each of them should be used after contacting a registered physician.
