Asperger's Syndrome

This article serves as a quick guide to help you understand the various aspects on the treatment for Asperger's syndrome which, by some estimates is known to affect two out of every 10,000 children.

There is this group of neurological disorders that affect a person's ability to interact socially, and his communication skills. This group is known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Pervasive Development Disorder (PDD). And Asperger's syndrome, or simply known as Asperger's, is known to be rated as a milder disorder amongst this group. People with this disorder, suffer from a difficulty in socializing and impaired communication skills, and also by a pattern of thoughts and behavior that are restrictive and repetitive. Although, doctors may associate the nature of a person suffering from Asperger's syndrome with an autistic person, the former is typically in a better state than the latter. Unlike an autistic person, the person with Asperger's has normal intelligence, and some degree of language development. However, with age, these might get affected. According to most experts, better results can be obtained if the treatment for Asperger's syndrome begins early. With the help of appropriate treatment, the patient can be helped to avoid undesirable behavior, and function successfully in social situations. Let us learn more about the treatment plan for Asperger's syndrome, from the below compilation.

Treatment for Aperger's Syndrome: Facts

Asperger's syndrome begins in childhood and parents are most likely to be the first to notice its symptoms. The main goal of the treatment is to address and to improve the main symptoms of this disorder. Although the core symptoms cannot be cured, as I said, early, specialized, and proper medical intervention has been able to help many children grow into adults who are no different than other normal people. With the help of treatment, affected children may improve their poor communication skills, avoid routines that are obsessive or repetitive, and also get a hold on physical clumsiness and other occupational issues. The different plans set up for the treatment for Asperger's syndrome include:

• Training for improving and grooming communication and social skills. Here, affected children are provided with specialized training that help them learn the basic aspects of socialization and communicating in an explicit manner and with the help of memorizing techniques. When the training is structured to meet the special needs of such children, it helps them speak in a normal rhythm, and also make proper use of gestures such as eye contact, voice tone, humor and in some cases, even sarcasm.
• Another module of the natural treatment for Asperger's syndrome is to work on the behavioral aspects of the patients. It is basically a therapy that educates children about how to cope with situations that may cause stress. Such situations may be a new event, or something which may require more social interaction. So the therapist helps the children to learn specific strategies for coping with all such situations. The therapy also aids in decreasing difficult behavior, and in realizing the importance of adhering to the feelings of others.
• Physical clumsiness, speech problem, and the like, can also be addressed with the treatment program.
• In some cases, the treatment may also make off-label use of medications. Meaning, there are no dedicated medications for this neurological disorder. However, some drugs may be used to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, hyperactivity, irritability, inattention, agitation, and similar problems.

And this is how the treatment for the disorder is designed and undertaken by medical experts. If we speak of the treatment for Asperger's syndrome in adults that is initiated in adulthood, then it might not produce desired results as one would get if treatment was administered in early childhood. But continuous support and encouragement, together with the treatment, does make life better. As far as prognosis is concerned, it varies with individuals and how early they receive treatment. As I said, the earlier the treatment is planned, the better is its prognosis.

Famous People with Asperger's

A disorder that left them socially impaired, gave them an ability that none could match. Find out about famous people with Asperger's and what they achieved.

Asperger's syndrome (AS) is mild autism, which results in low social capacity, but a high intellectual one. Thus, many who have been diagnosed with AS have made a name for themselves in their fields of expertise. Asperger Syndrome Disorder is a milder variant of Autistic Disorder, which is why they seem similar. It causes repetitive patterns of behavior and impaired social interaction. The disorder has been named after Hans Asperger, who first recognized it in 1944. According to him many of the parents, especially fathers showed the same signs of behavior as that of the child suffering from it. He said that the disorder was genetic in nature and more prevalent in males. Let's take a look at some of the famous people with Asperger's syndrome.

Albert Einstein
One of the greatest scientists who went on to prove theory of relativity could not speak fluently till the age of nine. Language delays are commonly seen in children with AS, which was an emphasized impairment for Albert Einstein. He was also thrown out of school for displaying odd behavior and being a social misfit. However, he challenged his condition and went on to do some of the revolutionary work. He was awarded Nobel Prize in Physics for his work.

Benjamin Franklin
One of the founding fathers of the United States, Benjamin Franklin was a theorist, author, politician, scientist, activist, and diplomat. He was the first head of post office, which indicates his obsession with order. Extreme behavior is another sign.

Isaac Newton
His arrogance and hatred towards his mother for marrying another man, his disobedience towards school rules and his defiance towards authority all indicate a pronounced AS condition. However, his sheer intelligence and his unwavering focus led him on a path to be one of the noted physicists, mathematician, astronomer, natural philosopher, alchemist and theologian. The world owes understanding of gravity on earth to his theory.

Bill Gates
One of the wealthiest businessman in the world today, a philanthropist, founder of Microsoft and the author of several books, Bill Gates has been long suspected to be one of the famous people with asperger's. His failed peer relationships, single minded pursuits, general lack of dressing or fashion (this is also noted as a symptom of AS) are all indicative of his AS condition.

Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock
An iconic director, producer and the Master of Suspense, Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock created a unique style of film making. In his career spanning over six decades, he directed 50 films that cover the genre of silent movies, black and white feature films and colored movies. The trend of fear, anxiety, escape and twisted endings to every story reflect his innate human spirit dominated by AS.

Jane Austen
Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Mansfield Park and Emma are some of Jane Austen's noted works. Her 'risqué experiments in writing' which are seen through her bashing of the then societal practices, aristocratic hypocrisy and conformity to conventions without questioning show that Austen must have had AS. Irrespective of that, she still remains one of the influential and noted authors of all time.

Hans Christian Andersen
Hans Christian Andersen, who created the make-believe land with morals that hold true even today, never learned to spell correctly! An unbelievable truth, but it can only be attributed to his AS condition, as language difficulties are not new to this disorder. His love life which records his 'refusal to have sexual relations' and often falling in love with unattainable women are also suggestive of his AS condition.

Michelangelo
The Renaissance painter, sculptor, architect, poet and engineer, excelled at every discipline he chose to experiment with. Surprisingly, Michelangelo held a low opinion about painting, but went on to create the most remarkable work in the history of world art.

Wolfgang Mozart
The symphonies composed by Mozart remain a wonder to every musician and every listener. His inexplicable music, which became his only form of expression is believed to be a result of his AS condition.

Woody Allen
The quirky three-time Academy Award-winning film director, writer, actor, jazz musician, comedian and playwright, Woody Allen owes much of his success to his Asperger's syndrome. His satirical films and sardonic humor have made him a world favorite. In an interview with Reuters, Woody Allen said, "I am a neurotic in a more benign way. I mean I have a lot of neurotic habits."

Michael Jackson
The King of Pop who made the world moonwalk to his music, was most definitely living with an AS. He justifies his abnormal behavior by stating his troubled childhood. However, his siblings who received the same upbringing, are absolutely normal. He made friends with few people who harbored interests similar to his. This made relating to them easy, as compared to those who didn't have an acumen for rhythm.

Many children, who are diagnosed at a very young age with Asperger's Syndrome have above average intelligence, but poor social skills. Their abnormalcy in behavior makes them antisocial. Probably it is this disadvantage of the disorder that has been an asset to the world. Though these children suffer at the altar of friendship, they find their true calling easier than normal contemporaries do. Children with AS need parental support, encouragement and guidance to materialize their intelligence.

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