Asperger Syndrome - A Parent’s Guide
June 25, 2010Nothing could be scarier to a father than hearing the diagnosis Asperger Syndrome. A great deal is not known about this form of the autism spectrum other than that it involves delays in essential skill growth. These could contain delays in socialization and communication and other areas.
Even though children with Aspergers Syndrome do function better than children with traditional autism, you are still looking at a pervasive developmental disorder and your life will change as a result. Help is available as it is estimated that two out of every ten thousand kids born could get this diagnosis. Boys are three to four times more likely to have it and symptoms usually appear by the third birthday.
Symptoms of Aspergers Syndrome vary greatly. Your child may lack social skills or he might have communication difficulties. A bizarre gait may develop and your kid might appear clumsy. Speech is often delivered in a monotone pitch with a lack of beat or an odd modulation. Kids who have been diagnosed with this ailment often develop an obsessive interest in a single area to the exclusion of all others. This can lead to poor interaction with children and adults alike.
If these symptoms are noticed in your kid, a medical specialist will do any number of things. Currently there is not single diagnostic test to find out if this is the condition your child has. Therefore, you might get different diagnoses from different doctors. Yet, all will most likely look for symptoms such as aloofness, a lack of interactive play, abnormal eye contact or a failure to respond when called by name.
One or more have to be present by the age of three to receive this diagnosis. If your pediatrician suspects your child has Asperger’s Syndrome, the next phase would be to have him examined by a group of experts. This team could include a psychologist, a neurologist, a speech therapist and a psychiatrist and additionally other professionals like teachers. Probably, a complete neurological and genetic evaluation will be done as well as cognitive and language testing. Then a diagnosis will be made.
Although a cure doesn’t exist for Aspergers Syndrome at this moment, you do not need to be worried. Assistance is available. Your lad or daughter will need specialist education as well as speech, physical, and/or occupational therapy. Behavior modification has been utilized with great success, using such techniques as optimistic reinforcement. Medication will not cure you kid, but you may receive prescriptions to help alleviate some symptoms. Social skills training are also regularly included in the treatment plan. Spend some time learning about the disorder and your options so you can best help your child.
If you want to know what you wish to do when your kid has been diagnosed with aspergers, then visit http://www.parentingaspergerscommunity.com and take guidance from Dave Angel.

















