What is Asperger’s Syndrome?

A developmental disorder in a person which makes it very difficult for him/her to interact with other persons is called by the name Asperger’s syndrome. The person may find it very difficult to be sociable or make friends because of social awkwardness.

There are several traits or characteristics that can be seen among people suffering from Asperger’s syndrome. For instance they may prefer routine, not like change and have extremely poor social skills. But unlike people diagnosed with autism those diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome start talking by the age of two years.

The symptoms associated with this condition may improve over time in spite of the condition being lifelong. Autism and Asperger’s syndrome can be grouped under a bunch of disorders called pervasive developmental disorders. Asperger’s syndrome is rare and only 3 in 10,000 people suffer from this condition.

Causes
The exact cause for this condition is relatively unknown and it cannot be prevented also. It is considered to be hereditary and researchers are trying to identify a genetic cause.

What are the symptoms?
This condition can be seen among people who are over the age of 3 years. Children diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome may not be able to express themselves clearly. They also have a tough time relating to others. They can find it very difficult to adapt to change and may face problems in recognizing non verbal cues and understanding social norms. For instance they may not make eye contact with others, may have flat speech lacking in accent, tone or pitch. They may also have poor body posture, lack coordination, have unusual facial expressions or have poor handwriting or trouble with other motor skills.

How is Asperger’s syndrome diagnosed?
You can consult your doctor if you suspect that your child’s communication style or behavior is abnormal. You may be referred to a specialist to confirm or rule out Asperger’s syndrome. The specialist may also test your child’s speech, learning ability and language apart from motor and social skills.

How is it treated?
Treatment depends on each and every person’s symptoms. The treatment may change in such a way that it becomes very useful for your child.