Asperger's syndrome is often considered a high-functioning form of autism. People with this syndrome have difficulty interacting socially, and often engage in repetitive physical tasks and behaviors. A psychologist or psychiatrist will perform a battery of physical, emotional and mental tests to rule out other possible causes before making a definitive diagnosis. Understanding the symptoms associated with Asperger's syndrome, therefore, is key to getting a loved one the help and treatment he needs to live a healthy and happy life.
About Asperger's Syndrome
Asperger's syndrome got its name from Hans Asperger, who named this disorder "autistic psychopathy" in 1944. Although the cause is unknown, The New York Times Health Guide explains that it is possibly linked to autism and may be attributable in part to genetic factors. Asperger's is more prevalent in boys than girls, most of which have above-average intelligence with below-average social skills. People with Asperger's syndrome often experience problems with language while in a social setting.
Symptoms
Symptoms of Asperger's are related to social interactions that can be best described as slightly "off," which makes forming relationships difficult. Sufferers can be oblivious to interests of others, and when engaging in conversation, they are often focused on only a few subjects of particular interest to them. During social interactions, they often have a hard time reading social cues such as body language, nuances with regard to interactions with others or signs that a person has lost interest in a topic. They may not respond to comments or emotions that play a part in most conversations. It is also common for them to miss out on subtleties in conversation having to do with sarcasm or humor. When it comes to their own part in non-verbal communication, people with Asperger's may have trouble making eye contact and displaying facial expressions and body language that is appropriate for the discussion at hand.
Physically, people with Asperger's syndrome often engage in repetitive behaviors like finger flapping, twisting and other whole body movements that can cause injury if not supervised. Given this need for repetition, it is perhaps not surprising that those with Asperger's are often inflexible when it comes to deviation from routines or schedules.
Treatment
Once a diagnosis is made, a treatment plan will be devised that will vary based on the patient's level of social functioning. Similar to autism therapy, a behavioral treatment plan will focus on counseling and therapy to incorporate the person's behavioral strengths to help compensate for social weaknesses. In some cases, medications used commonly in mental health including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), antipsychotics and stimulants also used for ADHD, may be administered to manage any accompanying issues such as anxiety, depression or aggression.
