Asperger's Syndrome treatment

Thursday 19 June 2014

SYMPTOMS OF ASPERGERS

Symptoms

Asperger's syndrome symptoms include:

Engaging in one-sided, long-winded conversations, without noticing if the listener is listening or trying to change the subject
Displaying unusual nonverbal communication, such as lack of eye contact, few facial expressions, or awkward body postures and gestures
Showing an intense obsession with one or two specific, narrow subjects, such as baseball statistics, train schedules, weather or snakes
Appearing not to understand, empathize with or be sensitive to others' feelings
Having a hard time "reading" other people or understanding humor
Speaking in a voice that is monotonous, rigid or unusually fast
Moving clumsily, with poor coordination

Unlike children with more-severe forms of autism spectrum disorders, those with Asperger's syndrome usually don't have delays in the development of language skills. That means your child will use single words by the age of 2 and phrases by the time he or she is 3 years old. But, children with Asperger's syndrome may have difficulties holding normal conversations. Conversations may feel awkward and lack the usual give and take of normal social interactions.

Toddlers and school-age children with Asperger's syndrome may not show an interest in friendships. Youngsters with Asperger's often have developmental delays in their motor skills, such as walking, catching a ball or playing on playground equipment.

In early childhood, kids with Asperger's may be quite active. By young adulthood, people with Asperger's syndrome may experience depression or anxiety.

When to see a doctor

All kids have their quirks, and many toddlers show a sign or symptom of Asperger's syndrome at some point. It's natural for small children to be egocentric, and many children show a strong interest in a particular topic, such as dinosaurs or a favorite fictional character. These generally aren't reasons to be alarmed.

However, if your elementary schoolchild has frequent problems in school or seems unable to make friends, it's time to talk with your child's doctor. These difficulties have many possible causes, but developmental disorders such as Asperger's syndrome need to be considered. Children who have behaviors that interfere with learning and social development should have a comprehensive evaluation.

Causes

By Mayo Clinic Staff

It's not clear what causes Asperger's syndrome, although changes in certain genes may be involved. The disorder also seems to be linked to changes in the structure of the brain.

One factor that isn't associated with the development of Asperger's syndrome or other autism spectrum disorders is childhood immunizations.

NATURE OF ASPERGERS

The nature of Asperger's syndrome

Asperger’s is part of the Autistic Spectrum Disorder, a range of different disorders relating to communication, imagination, creativity and social interaction.

It affects people in different ways, and to varying degrees. There are three main areas of difficulties for those with Asperger’s:

social communication
social integration
social imagination.

Asperger’s is similar to autism, but those with Asperger’s have fewer problems with speech. Unlike autism, those with Asperger’s have an average of above average intelligence, and do not normally have the learning difficulties associated with autism. However, they may have specific learning difficulties, such as dyslexia, or other conditions such as ADHD or epilepsy.

Most symptoms of Asperger’s improve over time, but difficulties with communication, social adjustment and independent living can continue into adulthood.

Symptoms of Asperger's syndrome

The symptoms of the three main areas of Asperger’s syndrome are:

Difficulty with social communication

difficulty understanding gestures, facial expressions, tone of voice
difficulty with the start and end of conversations, and picking appropriate topics of conversation
using complex words and phrases, but not understanding them
very literal use of words, difficulty with sarcasm, jokes, metaphors.

Difficulty with social interaction

struggling to make and maintain friendships
not understanding unwritten social rules, such as personal space, what is and isn’t appropriate to say in front of others
finding others unpredictable and confusing
seem uninterested in other people
behaving inappropriately
unlike those with autism, those with Asperger’s do not become withdrawn, and are happy to approach people, albeit somewhat awkwardly
happy to discuss at great length a hobby or interest, but not recognising or understanding the listener’s responses or reactions.

Difficulty with social imagination

Those with Asperger’s can often be highly creative and imaginative. However, their imagination may be restricted in other ways.

may find it hard to see alternative outcomes to situations
dislike changing plans, uncertainty
struggle to understand other people’s thoughts, feelings or actions
a limited range of imaginative activities – children with Asperger’s may often play by lining up toys in a certain order, collecting things
difficulty playing ‘let’s pretend’ games
very narrow or specific interests, e.g. remembered camera model numbers but not having an interest in photography.

Other symptoms of Asperger’s include

a love of routines
special and specific interests, sometimes to the point of obsession
sensory difficulties – the senses may either be intensified or under-developed, bright lights and loud noises can cause anxiety and pain
difficulty with body awareness – knowing where they are and how to navigate around a room, problems with fine motor skills, making activities like tying shoelaces difficult
needing order, structure, wanting to work from timetables
may develop an intense or obsessive interest in a hobby.

When is the right time to seek help?

Diagnosis of Asperger’s can be difficult. It is often diagnosed later in life than Autism, and sometimes a diagnosis may not be made until adulthood.

Possible signs of autism in the first few years of life can include the child not being able to make eye contact, a lack of interest in other children and people, making repetitive movements, a sensitivity to light, touch, smell and taste.

In older children signs of autism may include having few close friends, a lack of communication skills, difficulties with conversation and not enjoying social situations.

If parents suspect their child is displaying any of these symptoms, the first point of contact is a GP.

Causes of Asperger's syndrome

It is thought that the cause of Asperger’s is a combination of factors – both genetic and environmental. It can also run in families.

Treatment for Asperger's

There is no specific course of treatment, but there are different approaches that can be used to help manage Asperger’s. The focus of the treatment is on management and behavioural therapy, to address specific issues of Asperger’s.

Therapies

training of social skills
medication for coexisting problems, e.g. depression or anxiety
occupational/physical therapy for motor coordination
social communication implementation.

Counselling

It has been found that a cognitive and behavioural approach is most useful when it comes to counselling those with Asperger’s. This approach tries to change the way the individual thinks about themselves and other people, and how thoughts and feelings alter mood.

Music therapy

Music therapy helps with communication, as well as self-awareness and reciprocal play.

Speech and language therapy

A child with Asperger’s may not see any reason to communicate with others, and therefore their speech skills do not develop as quickly as others. This then in turn limits their opportunities for many different forms of communication.

Speech therapy maximises communication, not just through speech but through play, symbols, social skills and listening.

Statistics

half a million people in the UK have Asperger’s – 1 in 100 people
it is more common in males than females
1 in 5 children with autism have been excluded from school
only 15% of adults in the UK with autism are in full-time paid employment.

What should I be looking for in a counsellor or psychotherapist?

There are currently no laws in place stipulating what training and qualifications a counsellor must have in order to treat Asperger's syndrome. However, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) have developed a set of guidelines that provide advice about the recommended treatments.

In terms of psychological treatments, NICE recommend cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and/or behavioural therapy. To help treat symptoms such as anxiety and/or repetitive thoughts, medication may also be offered. The guidelines also list various therapies and treatments that should not be offered, including chelation therapy.

Counsellors treating people with autism or Asperger's syndrome may have to adjust the way they work, for example including more written or visual information. Therefore, it is advised that you seek a professional who has specific training and experience in working with people within the autistic spectrum.

ASPERGER'S TREATMENT Aspergers Symptoms in Infants, Toddlers, and Older Children

Aspergers, considered to be a mild form of autism, consists of problems with socializing and communication with others. While the average age of diagnosis of Aspergers in kids is around age 7 to 9, recent research regarding early warnings signs may enable clinicians to diagnosis prior to 12 months.

Aspergers Symptoms in Infants—

Many infants and toddlers exhibit signs or symptoms of Aspergers from time to time; however, this may reflect normal youngster behavior. Failure to meet expected developmental milestones doesn’t necessarily reflect a symptom of Aspergers. With these facts in mind, symptoms of Aspergers may be detected in infancy.

• Early Signs— Kids generally attain certain developmental milestones within the first year of life. Some of these include unassisted standing, crawling, and simple gestures, including waving. Some kids with Aspergers fail to attain these milestones within the first year, potentially serving as an early warning sign. Within the first several months of life, an infant with Aspergers may fail to interact appropriately with his environment. These infants may avoid eye contact and interactions, prefer solitude, and avoid attention and affection. Later in infancy, some kids with Aspergers may show problems reacting with activities and objects. These kids may over react or fail to react at all. Initial signs of repetitive behaviors may emerge at this time as well, such as rocking.

• Abnormal Non-Verbal Communication— Babies with Aspergers might exhibit abnormal methods of non-verbal communication. Normally, a youngster will look another person in the eye and have appropriate facial expressions or exhibit predictable body postures or gestures. Infants will not look at people speaking to them or react to auditory stimuli. They will have subdued facial expressions. Body posture, or body language, will be noticeably abnormal in babies with the disorder.

• Lack of Social Skills— A problem with the development of social skills is one of the most common symptoms of Aspergers. This manifests as an inability to communicate properly with others. Infants and toddlers will exhibit this symptom by showing delays in social development. Babies may not exhibit a social smile until much later on in their life. Infants may totally ignore the voices of the moms and dads or strangers, or conversely cry and become irritable when confronted with any form of social contact. As the youngster ages, the lack of normal social skills becomes more apparent.

• Language Development— A key difference between autism and Aspergers is the normal development of language found in kids with Aspergers. By 12 months, a youngster should begin saying single words, including kids with Aspergers. The Aspergers child’s first words are often unusual despite reaching this developmental milestone. More complex words, such as "mountain" or "sheetrock" tend to emerge before simpler words, such as "Mama" or "Dada."

• Obsession with Complex Topics— Young kids with Aspergers may become obsessed with complex topics, such as intricate patterns or music. Toddlers will become enraptured by a stylized pattern on a fabric or in a book. Babies may also listen to music that would typically be ignored by a normal youngster. This obsession becomes more apparent as the youngster ages. These children may be unable to focus on any other aspect of the environment once they notice the object of their obsession. Behavioral conditioning will be necessary to help alleviate this symptom.

• Poor Coordination— Uncoordinated movements are a common symptom in Aspergers. Kids may be seen moving clumsily and be unable to coordinate movements of the hands or feet. They might exhibit an odd posture or have a stiff, rigid gait. Infants may show a delay in learning how to crawl or walk, and may also exhibit a delay in fine motor movements, such as grasping an object.

• Reflex Abnormalities— Infants with Aspergers appear to demonstrate abnormal reflexes versus normal kids. Kids with Aspergers tend to exhibit a persistence of the asymmetrical tonic neck reflex beyond their fourth month of life, when the reflex generally disappears. When infants 4 months and older without Aspergers roll over, they turn in the same direction as their head is facing. Asymmetrical tonic neck reflex is the opposite of this; the infant turns over in the opposite direction to where the head is facing. Kids with Aspergers in general continue to show other reflexes that disappear in other kids at the same age. Additionally, they may lack reflexes that should develop by a certain age, such as the head-verticalization reflex at 6 to 8 months. An infant who has developed this reflex will maintain his head in a vertical position when his body is tilted. Infants with Aspergers show delays in this reflex; their heads will tilt along with their bodies. Detection of these reflex problems in infants requires assessment by professionals trained in special techniques.

• Intervention— Detecting Aspergers is crucial in improving the long-term outcomes for these kids. Prevention of later life problems, such as mental illness, social illness, and underemployment, may be avoided with early intervention. Therefore, knowledge of early symptoms of Aspergers disorder in infants remains paramount in mitigating outcomes for these kids.

Aspergers Symptoms in Toddlers—

Toddlers (approximately ages 1 to 4), may not show specific symptoms, but certain behavioral abnormalities may be noted.

• Communication— Unlike toddlers with autism, a toddler with Aspergers generally does not experience difficulties in language development and speech. Vocabulary is often advanced in toddlers with Aspergers, though as language develops, moms and dads may notice that the youngster has difficulty properly using their vocabulary. Toddlers may talk incessantly about one subject, without acknowledging the listener.

• Delayed Concept of Joint Attention— The idea of joint attention is the rather abstract concept that two individuals (e.g., the toddler and his parent) can be focused on the same thing. An example of joint attention is looking at a picture in a book together. A toddler with Aspergers may have a hard time getting this concept.

• Delayed Pointing— One of the developmental milestones of the first year of life is to be able to point to a desired object. By one year of age, a youngster will probably be pointing to objects that interest him. However, a toddler with Aspergers may not reach this milestone until later.

• Delayed Use of Gestures— Actions such as waving or giving a toy when asked seem like simple tasks. However, to a youngster with Aspergers, these simple gestures may not occur "on schedule" and may instead be delayed. This is because such gestures involve interaction between the youngster and another individual; such social interactions are difficult for the youngster with Aspergers.

• Motor Skills— Problems with motor skills are a common symptom of Aspergers. Delayed learning in playing catch, potty training, learning to ride a bike or walking on tip toes are usually noticeable in kids by the age of 3. Their movement may be described as clumsy or uncoordinated. While symptoms are sometimes noticeable as early as infancy, many moms and dads sense something different about a youngster with Aspergers by the youngster's 3rd birthday. In some cases, early language skills are retained, but the lag in motor development may be the first sign that something is different than "typical" 3-year-old behavior.

• Nonverbal Communication— Abnormalities in nonverbal communication are often apparent in kids with this condition. A lack of eye contact may occur accompanied by limited facial expressions which correspond with words the toddler is speaking. The youngster may also exhibit unusual body movements and gestures.

• Preoccupation— One of the most apparent symptoms of Aspergers in toddlers is their intense interest in a single topic, such as trains or maps. Kids with Aspergers want to know and spend a lot of time trying to learn about their hobby or interest, and they may use an advanced vocabulary and exhibit a high level of expertise on the subject. Some Aspergers toddlers need to establish rigid repetition and routine in their daily activities.

• Reading— Toddlers with Aspergers are often not diagnosed until later in childhood as they sometimes learn to read very early. The perceived advancement overshadows the fact that the youngster with Aspergers often cannot comprehend the words he is reading.

• Repetitive Behaviors— Repetitive interests and behaviors are defining components of the diagnosis of Aspergers. However, repetitive interests are actually quite normal in toddlers. While it is very difficult to determine with such young kids, some signs that behaviors and interests have crossed the line from "normal toddler who loves trucks" to "concerning toddler who seems too wrapped up in trucks" may be noted. These include a very specific interest (e.g., not just "trucks" but "the front bumper of trucks"); an interest that is unusual compared to his peers (e.g., a 3-year-old who intensely focuses on brooms); and an inability to shift focus from the area of interest to other things.

• Sensitivity to Stimuli— Some toddlers with Apsergers will have an unusual sensitivity to loud sounds or lights. They may also be bothered by other physical stimuli (e.g., they may be sensitive to the way certain clothing or material feels or need their socks to be on their feet in a particular way).

• Social Difficulties— Toddler’s with Aspergers usually have difficulty in social situations, such as when playing with other kids. This could be due to delayed motor skill development causing clumsiness, notes Toddlers Today. The interests of a toddler with Aspergers tend to be very limited, causing the youngster to have a very narrow focus of activities and interests.

• Social Skills— A common aspect of Aspergers is demonstrated by poor social interactions. Toddlers with Aspergers may seem to have one-sided social interaction and limited ability to form friendships. Non-verbal behaviors are also notable in these kids (e.g., unusual facial expressions, failure to gesture, aloofness or the inability to make eye contact). These symptoms become more apparent by the age of 3, and most kids are diagnosed between the ages of 5 and 9.

• Symptoms Related to an Associated Condition— Though there is still a lot of research that must be done, it seems that certain disorders may be associated with Aspergers (i.e., kids who have Aspergers may be at higher risk for having other disorders). For example, one study found that ADHD was often seen in a population of kids with Aspergers. So a toddler with Aspergers may also show symptoms of ADHD. Other conditions that have been found in kids with Aspergers include anxiety disorder and depression.

Aspergers Symptoms in Older Children—

Kids with Aspergers have deficits in three areas: communication, physical coordination and development of a range of interests. Aspergers is an autism spectrum disorder, meaning that it is on a continuum of development disorders that includes classic autism. Most kids with Aspergers are able to function with less difficulty than those with classic autism. A set of classic symptoms define Aspergers. A youngster with Aspergers may or may not display all of the symptoms listed below.

• Clumsiness— A youngster with Aspergers may seem clumsy and drop things. He may fall easily and try to avoid physical games that his peers are playing. He may have odd, repetitious movements or walk stiffly, as though he is in pain.

• Inadequate Math Skills— The youngster with Aspergers may have inadequate math skills, but will do well in vocabulary. He may have noted deficits in his ability to learn some subjects, but will speak like an expert about another. Learning abilities may vary greatly from child to child.

• Lack of Empathy— Although a youngster with Aspergers is not mean, he may seem to be oblivious to the feelings of others. If someone's pet dies, he may not show sympathy as other kids might. He may seem to be interested in himself only, but does not purposefully do cruel things. H may seem emotionally immature for his age.

• Limited Non-Verbal Communication— A lack of eye contact when communicating is a sign of Aspergers. The youngster may have few facial expressions, and he may stare into space while speaking. He may make few gestures while speaking and adopt an odd body posture. He may not watch the facial expressions or body posture of the person who is speaking with him. The youngster with Aspergers may not seem to pick up on humor or any speech that is not direct, such as sarcasm or the use of figures of speech.

• Obsessive Interests— Another sign of Aspergers is obsessive interests. The Aspergers child may hone in on one or two topics and devote an extraordinary amount of time to studying them, looking at them or talking about them. This topic may vary, with some examples including an object, a musical score, an animal, the weather, sports history or visual patterns. He may seem uninterested in any other subjects, and most of the conversations he begins may be about his topic of interest.

• Unusual Speech— A youngster with Aspergers may have an unusual speech pattern, as though he is reading what he is saying. His voice may remind you of a robot, or he may have a monotone, as if he is depressed. His speech may seem overly formal or well thought out, instead of spontaneous. Alternatively, he may speak rapidly, without noticing that others speak more slowly.

These 8 Inspiring People Will Change The Way You Think About Autism And Asperger's

In 2009, a shy, 47-year-old Scottish woman touched the world with her breathtaking rendition of Les Misérables' "I Dreamed A Dream" on Britain's Got Talent. After the performance, Susan Boyle catapulted into a singing sensation, selling more than 14 million records worldwide.

But despite her meteoric rise over the past few years, Boyle has, more recently, been coming to terms with a more private matter. Last week, she revealed to The Observerthat she was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome by a Scottish specialist about a year ago -- a revelation that she calls "a relief."

"Asperger's doesn't define me. It's a condition that I have to live with and work through, but I feel more relaxed about myself," she said in the interview. "People will have a greater understanding of who I am and why I do the things I do."

Asperger syndrome is one of a group of developmental brain disorders, which are collectively called autism spectrum disorder or ASD, according to the National Institutes of Health. Asperger's affects the ability to socialize and communicate with others, the Mayo Clinic reports, and is characterized by symptoms that may include one-sided conversations, unusual nonverbal communication, obsession with one or two specific subjects and difficulty "reading" others. Other ASDs include autistic disorder (or classic autism), pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified, Rett syndrome and childhood disintegrative disorder.

While many people in the public eye are speculated to have an autism spectrum disorder (among them, Courtney Love, Mozart and Tim Burton), Boyle joins a group of famous faces who have spoken out publicly about their diagnoses. Read on for seven more inspiring people with an autism spectrum disorder.

James Durbin

The American Idol alum (from season 10), who recently released his new single, "Parachute," was first diagnosed with Asperger syndrome and Tourette syndrome at age 10. "Right around the time when I was diagnosed, I got a hand-me-down guitar with a chord book and a cheap busted tuner," Durbin told Autism Speaks last month. "I think music is like medicine and can be a benefit for anyone no matter what genre. There’s just so much you can learn. It’s all about focus and for me, not only on the Autism spectrum but also the Tourette's spectrum, focus was something I needed help with. Music is my focus."

Music also became a way for Durbin to cope with bullying growing up. "Throughout this process, I figured out that no matter how bad of a day I had at school, I could come home and create my own world within the music," he wrote on CNN. "I could make the music as happy or as sad as I wanted it to be. I used the pain from being bullied to transform me into who I was meant to be."

Daryl Hannah

Earlier this year, the actress opened up to People magazine about being diagnosed with autism as a child, and how it contributed to a fear of fame as an adult, HuffPost previously reported. That fear caused Hannah to retreat from life in the spotlight. "I've never been comfortable being the center of attention," she told People. "It's always freaked me out."

Dan Aykroyd

The actor and writer told the Daily Mail earlier this week that, like Durbin, he has been diagnosed with both Tourette syndrome and Asperger syndrome. And he says the latter actually helped to inspire the movie Ghostbusters. "I also have Asperger’s but I can manage it. It wasn’t diagnosed until the early 80s when my wife persuaded me to see a doctor," he told the Daily Mail. "One of my symptoms included my obsession with ghosts and law enforcement -- I carry around a police badge with me, for example. I became obsessed by Hans Holzer, the greatest ghost hunter ever. That’s when the idea of my film Ghostbusters was born."

Heather Kuzmich
heather kuzmuch

When America's Next Top Model cycle nine began in 2007, the audience met 21-year-old Heather Kuzmich, who was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome. "It was a point in my life where I was thinking either Asperger’s was going to define me or I was going to be able to work around it,” Kuzmich told The New York Times of her decision to join the competition show. "At first I was really worried people would laugh at me because I was so very awkward. I got the exact opposite."

The contestant finished in fifth place, and was voted as the viewer favorite eight weeks in a row. "I was at the bottom of the totem pole," she told People about her time growing up. "I wanted to be a role model for girls who aren't the most popular and are picked on."

Dan Harmon

The Community creator started learning more about Asperger syndrome while developing the character of Abed for the NBC show. "So, in a very naive way -- and I’ve never told anybody this before -- I started researching the disorder," Harmon told Wired in 2011. "I started looking up these symptoms, just to know what they are. And the more I looked them up, the more familiar they started to seem. Then I started taking these Internet tests."

Wired reports:

Eventually, Harmon met with a doctor and came to understand that symptoms of the disorder lie on a spectrum, and that in fact there is a place on it for people with inappropriate emotional reactions and deep empathy. Harmon now sees that he may fit somewhere on that spectrum, though figuring out exactly where could take years.

Alexis Wineman

Earlier this year, Miss Montana became the first Miss America contestant with autism to compete in the pageant. At age 11, Wineman was diagnosed with pervasive development disorder, CNN reported.

"My path may not be one that another person would choose, but I challenged myself to enter the Miss America competition because it seemed like the peak to my own personal Everest," she wrote for CNN in January. "It also seemed kind of ironic: a girl who was told she was different and considered an outcast by many, in the nation's biggest beauty pageant."

She reached the top 15 in the competition, and won the America's Choice Award,according to CNN, for garnering the most online viewer votes. "So many people expect autistic people to all be the same -- that it’s a brain disorder so we can’t function in society," she told Time. "I want people to realize there’s a whole spectrum of people who live with autism. There are high-functioning people and low-functioning people."

Temple Grandin

A professor of animal sciences at Colorado State University, the university calls her "the most accomplished and well-known adult with autism in the world." According to her website, Grandin didn't speak until she was three and a half years old, "communicating her frustration instead by screaming, peeping and humming." After receiving a diagnosis of autism, her parents were told she should be institutionalized. She wrote in her book, Emergence: Labeled Autistic:

I have read enough to know that there are still many parents, and yes, professionals too, who believe that 'once autistic, always autistic.' This dictum has meant sad and sorry lives for many children diagnosed, as I was in early life, as autistic. To these people, it is incomprehensible that the characteristics of autism can be modified and controlled. However, I feel strongly that I am living proof that they can.

In addition to her work in the animal sciences (among her other accomplishments, Grandin developed corrals to improve quality of life for cattle), she has become an outspoken advocate in the autism community. In 2010, TIME named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world, and HBO produced a biopic based on her life called Temple Grandin, starring Claire Danes as the title character