Asperger's syndrome is a disorder on the autism spectrum that is characterized by an inability to engage socially or lack of interest in pursuing relationships with peers along with other social deficits. In addition, children with Asperger's syndrome tend to become over-focused or obsessed with topics that would be of little interest to other people. Although the disorder is considered chronic, there are numerous therapeutic interventions that make like easier for those suffering from the disorder.
Teaching Social Skills
Most therapeutic interventions for children with Asperger's syndrome involve learning and improving their social skills. This involves teaching proper friendship skills including how to compliment someone and appropriate interactions with peers and teachers. Often times, the therapist will role play with the child to help him understand how to socially interact. In addition, group therapy can help children with autism-related disorders because they can learn to socially communicate at a set pace.
Improving Communication
A big part of improving social skills involves improving the levels of communication in kids with Asperger's. Because children with autism-related disorders have difficulty understanding social cues, such as when and how to respond during spoken dialogue, the therapist helps the child to understand those cues through repetition and rewards. In addition to learning communication skills, children with Asperger's are often sent to speech and language therapists to help with everyday communication.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Children with Asperger's syndrome often display symptoms of anxiety that cause significant impairment in their lives and affects their social skills. Cognitive Behavioral therapy (CBT) involves having a person understand how their thoughts affect their actions and how negative thoughts can get in the way of living to their full potential. For children with Asperger's syndrome, CBT is used to help them understand their unrealistic fears and help them accomplish things that bring fear to their lives by continuing to reward their progress.
Parent Training
In addition to therapy for a child with Asperger's syndrome, it is often necessary for parents to receive therapy to help them provide an environment that is conducive to the growth of their child. Parents are taught ways of helping their child to accomplish tasks that may be uncomfortable for them through rewarding their progress, much like is done during CBT. In addition, parents are taught ways of disciplining their child that help her grow instead of making her less confident in her social abilities.
