| This article sets out to outline many of the | | | | Aspergers "I laughed my head off" they may |
| characteristics of Aspergers syndrome in such a way | | | | become alarmed believing that your head really did |
| that the information can easily be shared with others. | | | | come off of your body. It can be very hard for |
| Autistic Spectrum Disorder (autism) is a life-long | | | | people with Aspergers to understand when someone |
| developmental disability that affects social and | | | | is joking and that is why they may become angry or |
| communication skills. Each person with autism displays | | | | upset by something you have said that wasn't meant |
| different symptoms and behavior; some people with | | | | to be hurtful. |
| autism remain non-verbal and will need life-long care. | | | | Social Understanding: This means knowing what to do |
| Other people with the condition live independent lives, | | | | when you are with other people. People with |
| hold down careers, go to university, get married and | | | | Aspergers have difficulty understanding social |
| have children. | | | | relationships, they do not understand all the rules |
| Aspergers syndrome is a form of autism that was | | | | involved in social relationships. As we grow up we |
| defined by an Austrian pediatrician over 50 years ago. | | | | learn how to behave appropriately in certain |
| People with Aspergers syndrome are usually at this | | | | situations, for example we learn not to say things to |
| more 'able' end of the spectrum. Like autism, | | | | people like "you look fat" (unless we are deliberately |
| Aspergers syndrome, seems to be caused by a | | | | trying to be hurtful). A person with AS usually doesn't |
| biological difference in the brain's development. In | | | | meant to be rude, even though it can sometimes |
| many cases there appears to be a genetic cause; | | | | appear so, it's because their understanding of how to |
| there are many cases of autism and Aspergers | | | | behave is confused. |
| syndrome running in the same family. One study has | | | | Imagination This is the ability to think about things |
| estimated that 3 to 7 in 1,000 people have AS. | | | | that aren't real. Children with Aspergers syndrome |
| People with Aspergers syndrome share many of the | | | | tend not to be interested in games that involve |
| same characteristics as people with autism but they | | | | pretending to be someone else (like cops and |
| usually do not have any accompanying learning | | | | robbers). Some children with Aspergers can be very |
| disabilities. Explaining Aspergers syndrome isn't easy, | | | | interested in things that aren't interesting to other |
| no matter who you are talking to! It's not something | | | | children or exclude social interaction. They may like |
| that can be described in a single, snappy sentence! | | | | collecting items that seem dull or unusual to us. |
| There are problems because you cannot tell by | | | | There are also websites that provide a great deal of |
| looking at someone if they have Aspergers | | | | information about the condition. A good one is Sibnet, |
| syndrome. Also because the causes of Aspergers are | | | | set up by the Seattle Children's Hospital Project. |
| yet to be clearly identified it can sometimes be | | | | Sibnet is specifically for siblings of disabled children |
| difficult convincing people that the condition actually | | | | and is for both young siblings and adult brothers and |
| exists. You could try by explaining that, people with | | | | sisters. The site contains information and resources |
| Aspergers basically have problems in 3 major areas. | | | | for siblings of disabled children and allows them to |
| This is usually part of the criteria for diagnosing | | | | subscribe to the site - a place where they can share |
| Aspergers syndrome. These areas are: | | | | information and discuss issues they may be facing. |
| Social communication: This means knowing what to | | | | This article set out to provide a simple 'user friendly' |
| say to other people and understanding the meaning | | | | overview of the indicators of Aspergers Syndrome in |
| of what they are saying to you. Just imagine how | | | | such a way that you could explain it to other people |
| many times a day the basics of social communication | | | | who might have no idea what the condition was. |
| come into your child's life; at the shops, at home, at | | | | Providing people with a simple and straightforward |
| school, in the street. People with Aspergers | | | | account of the condition will help them to understand |
| Syndrome can have problems when talking to other | | | | the condition better, and provide you and your family |
| people as they can take things people say literally. An | | | | with a much needed support network! |
| example would be if you say to someone with | | | | |