ASPERGER'S SYNDROME | ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT

Asperger Syndrome or (Asperger's Disorder) is a neurobiological disorder is described a pattern of behaviors in several young boys who had normal intelligence and language development, but who also exhibited autistic-like behaviors and marked deficiencies in social and communication skills.

Individuals with Asperger Syndrome can exhibit a variety of characteristics and the disorder can range from mild to severe. Persons with Asperger Syndrome show marked deficiencies in social skills, have difficulties with transitions or changes and prefer sameness. They often have obsessive routines and may be preoccupied with a particular subject of interest. They have a great deal of difficulty reading nonverbal cues (body language) and very often the individual with Asperger Syndrome has difficulty determining proper body space. Often overly sensitive to sounds, tastes, smells, and sights, the person with Asperger Syndrome may prefer soft clothing, certain foods, and be bothered by sounds or lights no one else seems to hear or see. It's important to remember that the person with Asperger Syndrome perceives the world very differently. Therefore, many behaviors that seem odd or unusual are due to those neurological differences and not the result of intentional rudeness or bad behavior, and most certainly not the result of "improper parenting".

By definition, those with Asperger Syndrome have a normal IQ and many individuals (although not all), exhibit exceptional skill or talent in a specific area. Because of their high degree of functionality and their naiveté, those with Asperger Syndrome are often viewed as eccentric or odd and can easily become victims of teasing and bullying. While language development seems, on the surface, normal, individuals with Asperger Syndrome often have deficits in pragmatics and prosody. Vocabularies may be extraordinarily rich and some children sound like "little professors." However, persons with Asperger Syndrome can be extremely literal and have difficulty using language in a social context.

Diagnostic Criteria Asperger's Disorder

A. Qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least two of the following:

marked impairments in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, body postures, and gestures to regulate social interaction
failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level
a lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or achievements with other people (e.g. by a lack of showing, bringing, or pointing out objects of interest to other people)
lack of social or emotional reciprocity

B. Restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, and activities, as manifested by at least one of the following:

encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus
apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals
stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g., hand or finger flapping or twisting, or complex whole-body movements)
persistent preoccupation with parts of objects

C. The disturbance causes clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning

D. There is no clinically significant general delay in language (e.g., single words used by age 2 years, communicative phrases used by age 3 years)

E. There is no clinically significant delay in cognitive development or in the development of age-appropriate self-help skills, adaptive behavior (other than social interaction), and curiosity about the environment in childhood

F. Criteria are not met for another specific Pervasive Developmental Disorder or Schizophrenia

Researchers and mental health experts are still investigating the causes of autism and Asperger Syndrome. Many believe that the pattern of behavior that characterizes Asperger Syndrome may have many causes. There seems to be a hereditary component to Asperger Syndrome, and research indicates that in some cases Asperger Syndrome may be associated with other mental health disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder. Researchers are also looking into whether environmental factors that affect brain development might play a role in the condition.

Contrary to the incorrect assumptions some may make about people with the disorder, Asperger Syndrome is not caused by emotional deprivation or the way a person has been brought up. Because some of the behaviors exhibited by a person with Asperger Syndrome may be seen by others as intentionally rude, many people wrongly assume that Asperger Syndrome is the result of bad parenting - it isn't. It's a neurobiological disorder whose causes are not yet fully understood.

Currently, there is no cure for the disorder - children with Asperger Syndrome become adults with Asperger Syndrome. But many individuals with Asperger Syndrome lead full and happy lives, and the likelihood of achieving this is enhanced with appropriate education, support, and resources.