Saturday, December 16, 2006 1:59 AM CST
Understanding Aspergers
By DAWN SCHABBING, Features Writer
dschabbing@jg-tc.com
Asperger syndrome, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, is an autism spectrum disorder, and a condition characterized by a degree of problems in communication, language, repetitive or restrictive patterns of thought or behavior.
A child with Asperger syndrome is often isolated because of their poor social skills and narrow interests. He has delayed gross motor skills.
He might approach other people, but instead of normal conversation, it would be eccentric or focused only about his singular interest.
The treatment of Asperger syndrome usually includes addressing the core problems: communication, repetitive routines and clumsiness.
Dr. Thomas Snowden, pediatrician with Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center, described Asperger syndrome as a milder form of autism. There is no test for Asperger syndrome.
Autism is a genetically linked disorder that affects boys four times more often that girls. It is found in three to six per 1,000 births each year, he estimated.
“These children are pretty smart,” Snowden said. “But, we have to teach them to behave in social settings, and treatment involves targeting the child’s problem -- attention issues, depression, frustration or routines.”
Snowden said one difference between autism and Asperger syndrome is that the AS diagnosis usually comes later, because the children retain early language skills.
Many symptoms are the same, however they are less severe with Aspergers.
“These (Asperger syndrome) children don’t function well in new situations. They often act inappropriately socially. However, their verbal IQ is good, their performance IQ is lower,” Snowden said.
He said these patients can’t interact well with other children, therefore they often have few friends. They also are often clumsy. Their speech shows peculiarities.
“These kids seem to be obsessed with a single topic or a subject,” Snowden said. “Their knowledge can be exhaustive on that one topic. They are almost like little professors.”
The child might have a strong particular interest -- for example trees or cars -- and that’s all they want to talk about.
Children with Asperger syndrome can learn to cope with the disorder, but may find social situations challenging.
“We have to teach them. You have to be very exact, very clear and repetitive with these children,” Snowden said. “I think everybody is getting better at working with these kids -- the schools, the speech therapists.”
Adults with the disorder often can work at jobs and have relationships, and some can live independently, according to NINDS.
Snowden said in some cases these adults are very productive, such as with Temple Grandin, a University of Illinois graduate with a PhD. in animal science. Grandin has published more than 300 pieces on autism and animal science.
“She’s the rock star of autism. She’s the one people with autistic children look up to.” More on Grandin can be found at www.templegrandin.com.
Treatment of the disorder includes behavioral modification and medication, according to Aspergers.com.
The medication treats symptoms such as impulsivity, aggressive behavior, rituals and anxiety.
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