Asperger Syndrome |

Asperger Syndrome (also known as Asperger's Syndrome) is not a rarity in schools (children and teens), or at work (adults). Chances are you may have a colleague who has Asperger Syndrome, without even realizing it.

Some people with Asperger Syndrome are excellent with certain tasks at work, however they might have the following signs and symptoms: lack of "common sense", inappropriate or minimal social interactions with others, odd behaviours or mannerisms and conversations almost always revolving around self rather than others.

So what is Asperger Syndrome (AS) anyway?

AS is an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), named after the Austrian pediatrician Hans Asperger who first diagnosed it. Experts estimate that as many as 1 in 88 children at age 8 will have an autism spectrum disorder. AS is considered the mildest of the ASDs, also called high functioning autism. It is more common in boys than girls (4:1).

It is not known what causes AS. Current research points to brain abnormalities in AS, and scientists have long suspected that there are genetic and environmental components to AS and the other ASDs because of their tendency to run in families and their high concordance in twins.

There is no one way to treat AS and ASDs. But children with AS can learn to manage their disabilities with effective treatment. Children with AS may benefit from the treatments below:

Paren't education and training
Specialized educational interventions
Social skills training
Language therapy
Sensory integration training for younger kids, usually performed by an occupational therapist, in which they are desensitized to stimuli to which they're overly sensitive
Psychotherapy or behavioral/cognitive therapy for older kids
Medications

The above is only an overview on AS. For medical or health advice, please contact your health providers. Or for more information please follow the links below to borrow some books and DVD's from the Toronto Public Library: