| Asperger's Disorder is a milder variant of Autistic | | | | Estimates suggest Asperger's syndrome affects |
| Disorder. Both Asperger's Disorder and Autistic | | | | from 0.024% to 0.36% of children. It is more |
| Disorder are in fact subgroups of a larger diagnostic | | | | common in males than in females, and usually is first |
| category. This larger category is called either Autistic | | | | diagnosed in children between the ages of 2 and 6 |
| Spectrum Disorders, mostly in European countries, or | | | | years. |
| Pervasive Developmental Disorders ("PDD"), in the | | | | Treatment |
| United States. In Asperger's Disorder, affected | | | | Asperger syndrome treatment attempts to manage |
| individuals are characterized by social isolation and | | | | distressing symptoms and to teach age-appropriate |
| eccentric behavior in childhood. There are impairments | | | | social, communication and vocational skills that are not |
| in two-sided social interaction and non-verbal | | | | naturally acquired during development with |
| communication. | | | | intervention tailored to the needs of the individual |
| Causes | | | | child, based on multidisciplinary assessment. Although |
| Doctors and researchers don't understand what | | | | progress has been made, data supporting the |
| causes Asperger's syndrome, although there seems | | | | efficacy of particular interventions are limited. |
| to be a strong genetic component. The disorder also | | | | The ideal treatment for AS coordinates therapies |
| seems to be linked to structural abnormalities in | | | | that address core symptoms of the disorder, |
| several regions of the brain. | | | | including poor communication skills and obsessive or |
| Signs and Symptoms | | | | repetitive routines. While most professionals agree |
| The following are a number of signs and symptoms | | | | that the earlier the intervention, the better, there is |
| that might be present in a child with AS: | | | | no single best treatment package. AS treatment |
| * inappropriate or minimal social interactions | | | | resembles that of other high-functioning ASDs, |
| * conversations almost always revolving around self | | | | except that it takes into account the linguistic |
| rather than others | | | | capabilities, verbal strengths, and nonverbal |
| * "scripted," "robotic," or repetitive speech | | | | vulnerabilities of individuals with AS. |
| * lack of "common sense" | | | | Hopefully this short article will provide useful |
| * problems with reading, math, or writing skills | | | | information for you of the signs and characteristics |
| How Common Is Asperger's Syndrome? | | | | of Aspergers and a greater understanding of how |
| Asperger's syndrome has only recently been | | | | this may affect that person's emotional stability. This |
| recognized as a unique disorder. For that reason, the | | | | will help you to relate better to those people and |
| exact number of people with the disorder is | | | | support you both in planning effective interventions. |
| unknown, although it is more common than autism. | | | | |