Asperger’s Syndrome is an autism spectrum disorder, first diagnosed by Dr. Hans Asperger in 1944. Dr. Asperger studied children who were intelligent, but uncoordinated and had difficulties with social interactions. They would obsess over the minutiae of certain hobbies and interests. Forming friendships would be difficult, as they would have trouble recognizing certain social cues and not understand how to give the other people a chance to speak in a conversation.
Since then, Asperger’s has been a widely known version of high-functioning autism. Although those with the condition are able to do things on their own, (unlike those with more extreme forms of autism), they still need help with things like socializing and job training. Those with Asperger’s can do many impressive things. It is important to remember that it is a spectrum condition. While some with Asperger’s have a very high intelligence and proficiency at certain skills, others display more average intelligence and not much in the way of special skills.
There are certain symptoms that are commonplace among most people with Asperger’s. If you suspect you, your child or another loved one has Asperger’s syndrome, this guide will give you a better understanding of signs. A proper diagnosis from a medical professional will be necessary as well.
1. Aggression
For those with autism spectrum disorders, acting out is not unusual. “Meltdowns” is the common terminology used to describe these outbursts. Those with Asperger’s can be prone to aggressive behavior. This doesn’t mean they’ll want to hurt someone. Instead, it’s a matter of them losing control over themselves and their functions. They might seem calm for one instance, and then suddenly become angry and frustrated, which causes them to lash out, either physically or verbally (if not both). Those with Asperger’s (especially children) have trouble relating their feelings, they’re prone to act out in an aggressive manner. They can find themselves in situations that are unfamiliar and aggravating, which they respond to by becoming belligerent. This doesn’t excuse misbehavior, but it can better explain it. Aggression for those with Asperger’s can be treated through recognizing of emotions and thought patterns that lead to them. Through therapy, a child can learn to understand what conditions make them lash out and how they can think of the situations differently. You can also explain to a child how their behavior makes others feel.
Those with Asperger’s can still be empathetic, even if it comes more difficult to them. Tell them how you feel when they do or say hurtful things to help them understand.
2. Compulsive Behavior
Asperger’s is not the same as OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), but it’s not completely dissimilar either. Those with Asperger’s and those with OCD find themselves fixated on certain routines and behaviors. Someone with Asperger’s might want to watch the same videos or read the same books over and over again. There could be no reason other than to keep doing it, because it gives their minds something familiar to focus on. There might also be overlap when someone with Asperger’s also has OCD, which makes their compulsions even bigger.
Compulsion behavior can become a problem if they distract from a person living their life. If you believe you know someone whose compulsions are harming them, you should find them the proper intervention to help them gain control of their lives.
3. Fidgeting
Those with Asperger’s often have troubles keeping their hands to themselves. They become easily restless, particularly in environments where they need to stay still, such as church or school. This can make things frustrating for educators, who depend on keeping their students focused in order to help them learn.
Fidgeting is common with children, especially for those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Consult with your child’s teachers. Ask them if they notice any fidgeting during class. Help practice with your child to help them gain better control over their movements. It can’t be expected to be undone all at once but it definitely can be improved.
4. Impulsivity
Someone with Asperger’s does things without thinking. They might make a comment that would be considered rude or do something that could get them hurt because they haven’t considered the ramifications for their actions. This can give them an advantage in some situations, like making academic or business decisions that are forward-thinking. However, in other situations, impulsive behavior can be inappropriate.
If your child has impulsivity, they might have Asperger’s syndrome. Consider what sort of things they do and how often it seems like they do them without thinking. You may need to intervene to help them to not do or say the wrong thing in a way that could hurt them.
5. Social Isolation
One of the biggest hindrances to people with Asperger’s syndrome is their difficulty with socializing. While other children are able to understand one another, and communicate with each other effectively, those with Asperger’s will have much greater difficulty. Others won’t be receptive to them and ostracize them. Your child might not understand why they’re being excluded. They might also be reluctant to approach others for fear of rejection and further social isolation.
You can help your child with Asperger’s succeed socially. One thing those with Asperger’s need is social training. They need to learn to recognize cues and appropriate behaviors. Plenty of people with Asperger’s have learned social skills successfully.
6. Poor Coordination
Motor skills are a challenge for those with Asperger’s and another one of the biggest signs of the condition. Poor coordination causes them to have trouble with sports, handwriting, and general balance. Not every person with Asperger’s struggles with this in the same way, but there is definite consistency.
Research has suggested that motor skills difficulties with Asperger’s come from “proprioception.” This means they have trouble with motor skills that require them keeping track of their body and movements in a certain space, such as when dribbling a ball. For hand-eye coordination skills like video games, they can have more control.
7. Anxiety
Those with Asperger’s don’t process information in a traditional sense. Information and skills that come easily to others are extremely difficult. They’ll find themselves overwhelmed by an overload of sensory information. They can find themselves reluctant to take part in activities because they worry they’ll lose control of their faculties.
Anxiety is strongly associated with Asperger’s. Someone with Asperger’s might not realize they have it until a situation that sets them into a panic occurs. To help with this, proper therapy is highly recommended. It can help them gain a better understanding of how their anxiety manifests and how to keep it in check.
8. Depression
Depression is another one of the biggest symptoms of Asperger’s syndrome. There’s a stereotype of those with Asperger’s and other autism spectrum disorders being completely devoid of emotion. That is entirely false. Those with Asperger’s feel intensely to the point that it’s difficult for them to deal with their emotions.
Depression is common with those with Asperger’s because of things like social isolation and frustration. They can believe themselves to be unworthy of love and suffer from extremely low self-esteem. Therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, can help someone with Asperger’s to manage their depression.
9. Learning Disability
Another untrue stereotype of those with Asperger’s is that they are all remarkably intelligent. While many with Asperger’s do have a high level of intelligence, others struggle with a learning disability. Since their brains process information in a different manner, they might struggle academically. They might also excel in one field, such as math, while struggling in another such as reading.
Those with Asperger’s might have trouble with things like reading comprehension. They might also not have trouble with visual information compared to verbal information. It’s important to keep track of a child’s academic progress and make necessary changes if their needs aren’t met.
10. Sensitivity to Sound
Asperger’s gives those with it heightened sensitivity. They feel things more intensely. This is especially true with sensitivity to sound. Sounds that seem low to others will be pitched rather high to those with Asperger’s. It can be difficult for them to experience like movies and concerts, due to the loud sound frequencies.
If necessary, someone with Asperger’s might need hearing protection in order to protect their sensitive ears. There also things like autism-specific movie screenings with lower volume and screen intensity, in order for them to enjoy entertainment. It’s important to give someone with Asperger as much as possible for their senses to be accommodated.
