About asperger's syndrome (asperger syndrome, asperger disorder)
What is asperger's syndrome (asperger syndrome, asperger disorder)?
Asperger’s syndrome, though no longer an official diagnosis, belongs to a group of neurodevelopment conditions known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Experts consider what was previously diagnosed as Asperger’s syndrome to fall on the mild end of the autism spectrum. Now you might also notice this called level 1 ASD.
Main signs of Asperger’s include:
- having difficulty with social interaction
- engaging in repetitive behavior
- standing firm on opinions and beliefs
- focusing on rules and routines
Some autistic people have what’s often referred to as high-functioning autism.
“High-functioning” isn’t actually a diagnosis. It simply means they need less support than other people on the autism spectrum. This category typically includes people with Asperger’s.
Learn more about autism terms.
Asperger’s doesn’t involve delays in language skills or cognitive development, so people can generally manage the activities of daily life on their own. Their needs generally won’t prevent them from being educated in a mainstream classroom or holding a job, in other words.
What are the symptoms for asperger's syndrome (asperger syndrome, asperger disorder)?
Poor social interactions symptom was found in the asperger's syndrome (asperger syndrome, asperger disorder) condition
Some signs of Asperger’s include:
- Hyperfocus. Many people develop an extreme focus on a narrow topic of interest. For children, that could be an all-consuming interest in things like train schedules or dinosaurs, for example. This interest can fuel one-sided conversations with peers and adults.
- Trouble recognizing social cues. People with Asperger’s might remain unaware of attempts to change the topic of conversation, which can be one reason why they have difficulties with social interactions. They may also have difficulty knowing when to lower their voices in certain locations.
- Difficulty reading facial expressions or body language. Many autistic people have a hard time recognizing and understanding other people’s feelings. They might find body language difficult to interpret, avoid making eye contact, speak in a monotone, and display few facial expressions.
- Difficulty with motor skills and coordination. Some children with Asperger’s may find essential motor skills, like running or walking, challenging. They might lack coordination and have trouble with climbing or riding a bike.
What are the causes for asperger's syndrome (asperger syndrome, asperger disorder)?
Changes in the brain are responsible for all ASD diagnoses, but doctors haven’t yet determined exactly what causes these changes.
Experts have identified a few potential factors that might contribute to the development of autism, including genetics and exposure to environmental toxins, such as chemicals or viruses.
Boys are more likely to receive a diagnosis of ASD. That said, 2017 research suggests many autistic girls never get the right diagnosis.
What are the treatments for asperger's syndrome (asperger syndrome, asperger disorder)?
Many autistic people, including people with Asperger’s, don’t consider ASD a disability or disorder.
To put it another way, Asperger’s, like autism, isn’t a medical condition that requires treatment. Some autistic people may need support at school, work, or when handling activities of daily life, but support isn’t the same thing as treatment.
Early diagnosis can make it easier to get the right kind of support, which can help improve social interactions and day-to-day function.
When it comes to ASD support, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Different people have different needs, and a combination of therapies and other approaches can help address each person’s specific challenges.
People with Asperger’s could also, of course, have mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression, just like anyone else. Getting treatment for these mental health symptoms can go a long way toward improving overall well-being.
Medication
There’s no medication that treats Asperger’s, but some people might use medication to manage symptoms of common conditions that occur at the same time, namely depression and anxiety.
Medications sometimes prescribed include:
- Antidepressants. Antidepressants can help ease symptoms of depression. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a common type of antidepressants, can also have benefit for symptoms of anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
- Anti-anxiety medications. Anti-anxiety medications, including SSRIs and benzodiazepines, can reduce symptoms of social anxiety and other anxiety disorders.
- Anti-psychotic medications. Some doctors may prescribe these for irritability and agitation. Risperidone and aripiprazole are currently the only medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for this purpose.
Therapy
Various therapy approaches can help improve communication skills, emotional regulation, and social interaction. These include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT is a type of psychotherapy that can help identify and change negative and unhelpful thought and behavior patterns. CBT can help with anxiety, depression, and other personal challenges or day-to-day difficulties.
- Speech therapy. A speech therapist evaluates and address language and communication challenges. For someone with Asperger’s, speech therapy might help with voice control.
- Social skills training. Social skills programs address issues that make social interaction challenging for people. Skills taught might range from conversational skills to understanding social cues and non-literal language, such as slang and commonly used expressions.
- Physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT). PT and OT can help improve fine motor skills and coordination. OT can also help children with Asperger’s cope with sensory issues.
Parental training and therapy can also help parents get support with raising a child on the autism spectrum.
Other approaches
Not much research supports the benefits of other approaches for people with Asperger’s, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they can’t help.
Other potentially helpful strategies include:
- Melatonin. Sleep disturbances, which aren’t uncommon in children with Asperger’s, can worsen anxiety, depression, and irritability. Some evidence from 2018 suggests melatonin could have benefit, so it may be worth asking your doctor about trying it.
- Music and art therapy. Music therapy (also called sound healing therapy) and art therapy could help with communication, emotional, and social challenges associated with Asperger’s.
- Massage therapy. Massage therapy may provide a short-term reduction in anxiety or sensory-related symptoms for some autistic people, as long as they’re comfortable with being touched.
- Acupuncture. A 2018 review found that acupuncture could help improve social adaptation and sleep, along with other symptoms of ASD. The review authors emphasized the need for larger randomized controlled trials to support these findings.
- Support groups. Children and adults with Asperger’s, along with their families, may find it helpful to connect with others on the spectrum. Support groups and online forums offer an accessible environment to discuss Asperger’s and get more information and guidance.
What are the risk factors for asperger's syndrome (asperger syndrome, asperger disorder)?
Asperger's syndrome (asperger syndrome, asperger disorder) belongs to a group of neurodevelopment conditions known as an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It has no official diagnosis. Generally, the patients with this disorder are just as smart as other folks, but they have more trouble with social skills with an obsessive focus on one topic or perform the same behaviors again and again.
Asperger's syndrome is no longer a diagnosis and Now they are part of a broader category called autism spectrum disorder (ASD).now a day’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-5 includes a new diagnosis which is called social pragmatic communication disorder which has the same symptoms like Asperger's syndrome.
There are some symptoms of this syndrome are as follows:
1. Hyperfocus: they make extreme interest in narrow topics, and interest can be one-sided conversations with peers and adults.
2. Trouble recognizing social cues: patients with this syndrome have difficulty knowing when to lower their voices in certain locations. They are also unaware of topic change, so they have difficulties with social interactions.
3. Difficulty reading facial expressions or body language: some individuals might find body language difficult to interpret, avoid making eye contact, speak in a monotone, and display few facial expressions. They also have difficulties understanding other people’s feelings.
4. Difficulty with motor skills and coordination: they lack coordination and have trouble with climbing or riding a bike.
5. Research suggests Boys are more likely to receive a diagnosis of ASD. Changes in the brain are responsible for diagnoses, but doctors haven’t yet determined exactly what causes these changes.
Symptoms
Poor social interactions,Obsessions,Odd speech patterns,Limited facial expressions and other peculiar mannerisms
Conditions
Developmental disorder,Difficult time relating to others socially and their behavior and thinking patterns can be rigid and repetitive
Drugs
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs),Antipsychotic drugs,Stimulant medicines to help with depression and anxiety
Is there a cure/medications for asperger's syndrome (asperger syndrome, asperger disorder)?
There’s no cure for Asperger’s. But again, many people don’t consider it a condition in need of curing.
Early diagnosis can help people with Asperger’s identify key support needs and learn skills for navigating social interactions and other aspects of daily life. Most adults with Asperger’s work and live independently.
Like everyone else, people with Asperger’s have their own individual challenges and strengths. A doctor, mental health professional, or specialist can offer guidance with identifying your child’s unique needs and developing a support plan to accommodate them.
- Antidepressants. Antidepressants can help ease symptoms of depression. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a common type of antidepressants, can also have benefit for symptoms of anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
- Anti-anxiety medications. Anti-anxiety medications, including SSRIs and benzodiazepines, can reduce symptoms of social anxiety and other anxiety disorders.
- Anti-psychotic medications. Some doctors may prescribe these for irritability and agitation. Risperidone and aripiprazole are currently the only medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for this purpose.