1. Read Personal Accounts of Mothers of Children with Asperger's
The Internet is full of personal accounts of dealing with Asperger's on a daily basis. These accounts are mainly written by mothers of children who have this condition. Because Asperger's is being diagnosed more frequently than in the past, current awareness of the disorder is at an all-time high. Parents of children with Asperger's and other conditions related to autism are reaching out to others to share their stories and offer advice.
Reading personal accounts on websites such as Cafe Mom and Mothers Be Heard give you an idea of how your child's behavior compares to those of children who have already been diagnosed with the condition. Sites like these have message boards where parents can interact with one another. You can use these boards to ask questions of other parents regarding your child's behavior.
2. Take an Online Quiz to Test for Asperger's
Because Asperger's has several distinctive symptoms associated with it, it has been possible for psychologists and other child-development professionals to devise interactive online tests for the condition. Most of them present a list of questions regarding a person's behavior and attitudes, particularly in social situations. People taking the test are asked to rate their answers on a scale. The scale usually runs from "never engages in this behavior" to "always engages in this behavior," with several degrees of "sometimes" or "maybe" in between. There are several comprehensive tests for Asperger's online, including the tests at Wired and Aspie Quiz. If a person's score falls within the range for Asperger's as set by the test, then that person may have this condition and should follow up with a medical professional.
3. Join a Local Support Group
Many communities have local support groups for parents of children with Asperger's and other forms of autism. Support groups not only provide a way for parents to get together to unwind, exchange ideas and have fun with their children in a supportive setting, these groups also give children with Asperger's a much-needed opportunity to socialize with other children who are like them. You can check with your doctor or with your child's school for information on local support groups in your area, or you can check A Directory for Asperger's Syndrome to see if it has a listing for a group in your area.
