What Parent Should Know about Asperger Syndrome
Asperger's syndrome was first entered in the DSM IV which gave a recognition as a diagnostic category however, the syndrome was identified in 1944 science took 50 years before officially categorizing the syndrome. This extended length to give Asperger's syndrome and official diagnostic category, resulted in children being misdiagnosed with other diseases or syndromes. Some children were even diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Due to ignorance among the medical community with regards to Asperger's syndrome, parents and educators are often unable to receive proper diagnosis or address the problems related to Asperger's syndrome. Often, the medical community provides diagnosis such as persuasive development disorder, nonverbal learning disability, high functioning autism, these misdiagnosis prolonged parent's ability to employ known treatment standards.
Parents often become frustrated and confused as doctor after doctor ignorantly misdiagnosed their child. It is due to high ignorance among the medical community that children who suffer from Asperger's syndrome have been prescribed treatments or medications that were never intended to treat Asperger's syndrome.
What is Asperger's Syndrome?
Asperger's syndrome is classified in the category of persuasive development disorders or PDD. It is a neurobiological disorder. Its characteristics include inability to socially interact, repetitive and restricted developmental interests, and avoidance of direct or confrontational interaction.
Although Asperger often resembles autism, Asperger patients do not have or demonstrate any significant delays in language and/or self-help skills. They typically, have an average or above average IQ.
While Asperger patients, vocabulary and command of language may be rich and exciting their ability to use it in every day social context is not. They often lack the ability to speak with pitch for tone throughout the conversation. Often, they speak with monotone, and add little or no nuance.
Interaction with their peers and relationship developments are significantly impaired among children with Asperger's. They often will not seek out social interaction, and typically avoid the emotional interaction. Although they may not purposely avoid the emotional interaction this often is the case. They do not know how to interpret other individual’s joy, pain or sorrow.
Parents may notice problems in their children at early ages. However, unfortunately, most children are not diagnosed until after or around preschool age. The syndrome is common in both boys and girls. However, tends to affect a larger majority of boys then girls.
Causes of Asperger Syndrome
There is no known cause for Asperger's syndrome. There's also no evidence to support any current theories. It is believed that the syndrome may be genetically related. However, triggers that may precipitate the condition are also known or thought to exist.
Food intolerances, pollution, vaccinations, and digestive problems are thought to all have an influence or bearing on the syndrome. There is no conclusive evidence as to the actual cause of Asperger's syndrome.
Unfortunately, the misdiagnoses of Asperger's syndrome is often responsible for making parents feel as though they're bad parenting or family related problems is the cause. This unfortunately is a direct result of the medical community's ignorance in trying to resolve and properly diagnose Asperger's syndrome.
Parents who notice any emotional or social withdrawal in their child should seek to understand the child's problem. Parents would be advised to acquaint themselves with the symptoms of Asperger syndrome. |