How to deal with Asperger’s Syndrom
Key things you have not been told.
In this article, we will be discussing:
- The meaning of Asperger Syndrome (AS)
- The Symptoms of Asperger Syndrome
- The Diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome
- The treatment of Asperger Syndrome
- Tips for parents having a kid with AS
- Leaving with a partner having AS
And, we will conclude.
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Definition of Asperger Syndrome
The most recent name of the old ‘Autism Disorder’ is Autism Spectrum Disorder. Autism is a spectrum because there are many forms of autism. One of the autism types is known as Asperger Syndrome. This is rather a mild type of Autism.
Asperger syndrome (AS), unlike other types of autism in the spectrum, does not affect speech. This spectrum is not detected within the 24 first months after birth like the other forms of autism. It is only as a child grows past childhood that the symptoms can be noticed.
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Symptoms of Asperger Syndrome.
As stated earlier, there is not a noticeable challenge with AS patients. There are a set of symptoms that can make one conclude that an adult has AS. We will mention some of the symptoms below. However, don’t expect to see all of the symptoms in one individual. The symptoms here are purely indicative.
- Dull emotions; Some adults with ASD do not respond to people emotionally.
- Autism Symptoms; some adults with AS also have repetitive behavior (repeating the same gestures over and over ) just like in the case of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
- Violent Emotions; they might be frustrated exaggeratedly and respond with a violent emotional outburst.
- Stimuli sensitive; adults with As can be oversensitive to certain stimuli such as cold, warm, noises, or smells.
- The difficulty of association; just like in the case of Autism Spectrum disorder, people with AS have a challenge relating to people socially.
- Eye contact; just like in the case of Autism Spectrum Disorder, people with AS avoid eye contact.
- clumsiness; They lack motor skills. They can be very stiff at times. They might find it difficult to walk, to sit, play some games, etc.
- Obsession; some adults with As can be over-obsessed. They can concentrate so much on a particular topic. This was the case for someone like Einstein. This ability to focus for long can be in positive symptoms in some patients.
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Diagnostic of Asperger Sundrome
Asperger’s syndrome was the unique diagnosis listed in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnosis and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) until 2013. Later, other forms of Autism were diagnosed and listed. Nowadays, Asperger’s syndrome is no longer included in the new edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).
People with AS have the ability to think very deeply. AS is known as a high high-functioning form of autism.AS patients are often geniuses ( Michel Angelo, Albert Einstein, etc).
For now, there is no plan test that can make one conclude that someone is an AS patient. The only possible diagnosis is based on symptoms. It is the job of psychologists and psychiatric professionals.
However, some conditions must be gathered for the diagnosis to be trustworthy. There must an enabling environment, comprising the following:
- Exposition to some social activities. This will help the specialists to empirically make some observations.
- The healthcare center must be freed of conditions that could falter the results such as some stimuli: noises, smells, etc.
When this disorder goes undiagnosed, children do not get the help they need, leading to problems in school such as bullying. Most children are relieved to find out they have Asperger Syndrome instead of just thinking they are less of a person. By getting diagnosed, not only can you or your child put a name to the problems, but it is then also possible to get treated to improve your overall situation.
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Treatment of Asperger Syndrome
Since AS is a non-clinical disease, there is no standardized treatment for AS. The proposed treatment is maint for the symptoms and not for the root cause of the syndrome. Some of the proposed treatments might not be supported by science.
There are many types of therapy and the main types include:
- Speech Therapy. Here the patient is being taught how to control and modulate his voice.
- Vocational therapy. Here the specialist focuses on discovering the gifting of the patient with the aim of directing him/her in a specific career.
- Medication. When they have ministered, the purpose is to treat specific symptoms such as anxiety, depression, or hypersensitivity.
- Dietary change. Some type of diet can help the AS patient to feel better. The general food supplement used are omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin B12.
- Music Therapy. This form of therapy is recent. It is designed to help the social, emotional, and cognitive development of the patient.
- Massage Therapy. Massage therapy may help to reduce anxiety levels or sensory-related symptoms.
- Acupuncture. Acupuncture may help to relieve symptoms of ASD, although the mechanism through which it does so is still unknown.
- Neurofeedback. This is a technology according to which the working of the brain can be accessed by singing some signals to the brain through sensors.
Caution about treatments.
Some of the Treatments concerning Asperger syndrome might be harmful.
According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)Trusted Source, the following treatments may be harmful:
- Hyperbaric oxygen. This treatment involves supplying patients with oxygen in a pressurized container.
- Chelation. Here, Drugs are used to remove some heavy metals such as iron zin, and mercury from the body.
- Antifungal agents. These are given to deter Candida overgrowth that’s believed by some to make ASD symptoms worse.
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Tips for parents having a child with Asperger Syndrome
Tips for Parents of Kids with Asperger’s Syndrome
- Beyond any external help, the parents must bear the responsibility of training the autistic child. You should show care and attention to the child. Show him that he is important, that he matters, that you value his contribution to any domestic task he/she is capable of...
- Do not encourage isolation. The normal tendency of a child with AS is to isolate himself from others. You should not encourage him/her in this habit. However, break this habit with care. Take him/her to an environment where he/she can see other children play together and little by little he/she might get involved.
- The Social Stories technique is a method of creating short stories for everyday situations that help explain the social cues and appropriate responses for given situations. Let the child be involved in a situation where he/she knows the response which is awaited from. You can teach him to greet, to say ‘thank you’ after service, etc.
- Encourage eye contact. The natural tendency of a child with AS is to avoid eye contact.
- Be explicit to what you ask from the child. Say one thing at a time. Do not give the child more than 2-step instructions.
- Show him love; use affective words on him, embrace him, let him know you believe in him. In my own experience, Mrs. Buhman’s love was a key to my miraculous deliverance. See the post: Ultimate Guide for Teaching Autistic Children.
- Make a goal to diffuse any tense situation. Be corrective, but show tenderness at the same time. Bear in mind that this child is not mentally stable and get overreacts sometimes.
- Prioritize Nutrition. A child with Asperger syndrome should not be eating any kind of food. Some foods can even worsen his condition. Foods with artificial colors, containing gluten and dairy (egg, cheese) should be avoided. Consider nutritional testing to determine if your child has dietary or digestion issues like food sensitivities or vitamin, mineral, and amino acid deficiencies that can exacerbate behaviors associated with AS.
- Teach yourself how to speak to your child because he can be hypersensitive to loud tones. Speak with a low tone, quietly and slowly. Repeat instructions if necessary.
- Most importantly, leverage technological advances. You can use Videos, Software, and other Toys-specially designed for autistic children to help the child to acquire social skills and develop any in-born gift he might be having within. You can also use the Weighted Blanket and rather associated aids to help him feel better.
- Do you need more resources ( Blanket, Tools, Books) to help that Autistic Child? Watch these videos.
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My partner has Asperger Syndrome What to do
There are many challenges in a couple where one of the partners is Aspergic. The Aspergic as well as the non-Aspergic partner will suffer from the relationship. However, the non-Aspergic bear more responsibility for the success of the relationship than the Aspergic partner. He is considered the strongest.
I write this section of the article for the non-Aspergic partner in a relationship where he/she is involved with someone with AS.
The challenges of a couple where one of the partners is Aspergic are many. They include sexual relationships, parenting problems, and relationships with other couples. I may no go into details in talking about each one of the problems. I will simply go ahead and provide some tips on how to deal with people with AS in a relationship.
- Since parenting is one of the main challenges of this couple, you must set clear rules about parenting. For instance, in the matter of correcting the children, the couple should agree about their boundaries. They should agree on who will correct a child if a particular situation arises.
- The Non-Aspergic partner should teach herself/himself how to communicate without intense emotions. Sometimes you might need to put your needs down in writing.
- The Non-Aspergic should learn as much as he can about AS. The more you understand this disorder, the more you get to know.
- In order to improve the physical well-being of the Aspegic Partner, you might try “Weighted Blanket and associated aids.”
- Take the habit to listen more than you talk. This will avoid arguments that could exasperate either of the partners.
- Use jokes, laughter, play to dissipate the tense atmosphere.
- Understand also that someone with AS can be exceptionally intelligent ( examples of such people are Einstein and Mozart ). So pay close attention to his/her analysis of certain situations. Let him/her know-verbally-that you believe in his/her intelligence. This might even be the trait that drew you to the person at first.
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Conclusion
We have discussed some key issues about Aspergic Syndrome. We believe you clearly understood that it is a mild form of autism, early diagnosis can help interesting this disorder, and that there are several forms of treatments. You might also be understood that no treatment is 100% sure. All treatment is tentative and symptoms rather than the root cause of the disorder are often treated.
We also provided some tips for parents with autistic children and persons having an autistic partner.
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Takeaway
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Related Articles
Bursting The Autism Stereotypes.
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Autistic Kids: 10 major challenges.
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How to deal with Aspergic Syndrom
Autism Spectrum Disorder: Key Facts.
Dealing with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Kids.
Ultimate Guide for Teaching Students with Autism.
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