Asperger’s syndrome is a form of the Autistic Spectrum Disorder and is often called mild form of autism.While all children with Asperger’s Syndrome are different, what sets them apart are their unusual social skills and obsessive interests. Here are some of the most common symptoms:• Inappropriate or minimal social interactions• Conversations that almost always revolve around themselves or a certain topic, rather than others• Not understanding emotions well or having less facial expression than others• Speech that sounds unusual, such as flat, high-pitched, quiet, loud, or robotic• Not using or understanding nonverbal communication, such as gestures, body language and facial expression• An intense obsession with one or two specific, narrow subjects• Becoming upset at any small changes in routines• Memorizing preferred information and facts easily• Clumsy, uncoordinated movements, including difficulty with handwriting• Difficulty managing emotions, sometimes leading to verbal or behavioral outbursts, self-injurious behaviors or tantrums• Not understanding other peoples’ feelings or perspectives• Hypersensitivity to lights, sounds and texturesAbout your question about the diagnosis, it’s recognition often starts by the parents.If a parent is concerned about a child’s social development, unusual language patterns, and odd behaviors, a pediatrician should be consulted. The pediatrician can determine if the child should be seen by a specialist, such as a developmental pediatrician, psychologist, or other clinician who is familiar with ASD.Testing and assessment usually involve a team of medical and psychological professionals. The specialists will ask the parent many questions about the child’s development and current skills and problems. They will also interact with the child and conduct assessments to evaluate what symptoms the child shows when interacting with others. They may also assess the child’s language and intellectual abilities. A medical doctor might ask questions or order tests to make sure there are no other medical concerns for the child.
Asperger’s syndrome is a form of the Autistic Spectrum Disorder and is often called mild form of autism. While all children with Asperger’s Syndrome are different, what sets them apart are their unusual social skills and obsessive interests. Here are some of the most common symptoms: • Inappropriate or minimal social interactions • Conversations that almost always revolve around themselves or a certain topic, rather than others • Not understanding emotions well or having less facial expression than others • Speech that sounds unusual, such as flat, high-pitched, quiet, loud, or robotic • Not using or understanding nonverbal communication, such as gestures, body language and facial expression • An intense obsession with one or two specific, narrow subjects • Becoming upset at any small changes in routines • Memorizing preferred information and facts easily • Clumsy, uncoordinated movements, including difficulty with handwriting • Difficulty managing emotions, sometimes leading to verbal or behavioral outbursts, self-injurious behaviors or tantrums • Not understanding other peoples’ feelings or perspectives • Hypersensitivity to lights, sounds and textures About your question about the diagnosis, it’s recognition often starts by the parents. If a parent is concerned about a child’s social development, unusual language patterns, and odd behaviors, a pediatrician should be consulted. The pediatrician can determine if the child should be seen by a specialist, such as a developmental pediatrician, psychologist, or other clinician who is familiar with ASD. Testing and assessment usually involve a team of medical and psychological professionals. The specialists will ask the parent many questions about the child’s development and current skills and problems. They will also interact with the child and conduct assessments to evaluate what symptoms the child shows when interacting with others. They may also assess the child’s language and intellectual abilities. A medical doctor might ask questions or order tests to make sure there are no other medical concerns for the child.