“I see people with Asperger’s Syndrome as a bright thread in the rich tapestry of life” –  Dr. Tony Attwood (Clinical Psychologist and author of Asperger’s Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals)
Asperger’s Syndrome (or Asperger’s Disorder), named after the Austrian pediatrician Hans Asperger, is a neurobiological developmental disorder within the classification of Autism Spectrum Disorder that affects a person’s ability to communicate and socialize effectively.  The term “autism spectrum” is used when referring to a range of developmental disabilities that includes autism in addition to other disorders with related characteristics.  Most will demonstrate limited and repetitive patterns of interests and behaviors, with children often exhibiting social awkwardness and an all-consuming interest in specific topics.  Many will also demonstrate an unusual use of language and physical awkwardness.

Children with Asperger’s Syndrome do not have the delays in the development of language skills seen with the more severe forms of autism spectrum disorders.  They may however demonstrate a speech pattern that has peculiar inflection, a lack of rhythm, and/or a monotone pitch.  They often lack the ability to adjust the volume of their voice to appropriately match their environment.  Also, unlike those with autism where there is a significant withdrawal from the world around them, children with Asperger’s are most often socially isolated because of their very narrow interests and lack of the normal give-and-take of social interactions.

The more common signs and symptoms of Asperger’s Syndrome include:

• An obsessive interest in one or two specific, narrow topics to the exclusion of any other — Children with Asperger’s Syndrome will attempt to acquire huge amounts of information about their topic of interest and will talk non-stop about it.  However, the conversation may often appear to be nothing more than random facts without any meaningful point.
• Often engaging in exhaustive one-sided conversations without being aware that the listener may be uninterested or trying to alter the subject — They often lack the ability to adjust the volume of their voice to match their surroundings, speaking in an unusually fast and somewhat monotonous voice, and not being able to recognize the listener’s reactions, such as their need for privacy, ‘personal space’, or desire to leave.
• Appearing to be unable to empathize with, understand, or be sensitive to other’s feelings – Possibly the most challenging limitation of Asperger’s Syndrome is their difficulty in demonstrating emotional (and social) give-and-take, a most basic element of social interaction.
• Difficulty in understanding humor
• Poor or clumsy physical coordination – They often have a history of delays in motor skills development (such as walking, catching, climbing, riding a bike, etc.).
• Little or no interest in forming friendships

Early on in childhood many kids with Asperger’s may be very active, and then find themselves struggling with depression and/or anxiety by the time they reach their adolescence.  Other conditions often found to co-exist with Asperger’s include:  Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and tic disorders such as Tourette Syndrome.   Unfortunately, all too often children with Asperger’s Syndrome are initially misdiagnosed with one or more of these other conditions because many of the symptoms of these disorders are similar to those of Asperger’s.

Although the exact cause of Asperger’s Syndrome is unknown, research has demonstrated the strong likelihood of it having a genetic basis.  One factor that has been proven NOT to be associated with the development of Asperger’s Syndrome, or other autism spectrum disorders, is the administration of childhood immunizations.  Contrary to the mistaken notion some make about the disorder Asperger’s Syndrome is also NOT the result of emotional deprivation or poor parenting.  It is a neurobiological disorder whose causes are still not fully understood.  We do know that boys are far more likely to develop this condition than are girls.

The signs and severity of Asperger’s Syndrome vary widely and as such can be very difficult to accurately diagnose.  If your son or daughter shows some of the signs of Asperger’s, your pediatrician should strongly consider having them undergo a comprehensive assessment.  Some of the criteria needed to diagnose Asperger’s Syndrome include:

• A preoccupation with one subject
• An inflexible attitude toward change
• No interest in interactive play
• No significant language delays
• A lack of eye to eye contact
• Unusual social expressions
• Difficulty, or no interest, in making friends

Although there is no cure for Asperger’s Syndrome, treatment can be extremely effective in helping the individual learn how to interact more effectively and appropriately in social situations.  Many children with Asperger’s improve as they mature to adulthood and become very well-adjusted and happy adults, although social and communication difficulties may persist.

There is no single recommended treatment for Asperger’s Syndrome, but any effective treatment program should provide regular positive reinforcement of desired behaviors, actively engage the child’s attention in structured activities, provide a predictable schedule, and build upon the child’s interests.  This type of program generally includes:

• The training of social skills for more effective interpersonal interactions
• cognitive behavioral therapy can help the more explosive or anxious children to manage their emotions better and cut back on obsessive interests and repetitive routines
• specialized speech/language therapy, to help children who have trouble with the pragmatics (normal give-and-take) of speech
• occupational or physical therapy to assist with poor sensory integration and motor coordination
• The training and support of parents, particularly in behavioral techniques to use in the home
• medication for co-existing conditions such as depression and anxiety

No matter what treatment model is utilized, professionals agree that the earlier the intervention the better.

As Asperger’s Syndrome gains more widespread recognition and understanding more has been learned, and shared, when it comes to suggested parental interventions.  These include:

• Learn about the disorder – There are an abundance of books and websites dedicated to the disorder.  Explore these resources to better understand the challenges your child faces, and the resources and services available.
• Learn about your child – With time and patience you will learn the various environments and situations that challenge your child, and which coping interventions work best for any particular situation.  Keeping a diary to help identify patterns can be very helpful.
• Maintain a regular schedule whenever possible – When introducing change, do so very gradually.
• Engage a team of trusted professionals – It is important to find a team of teachers and counselors/medical professionals who can assist you in evaluating the various options available to you.
• Help your child turn his or her obsession into a passion – The preoccupation with one subject can be incredibly annoying to those who have to listen to nonstop talk about the topic every day.  However, this all-consuming focus may just provide a potential connection to social activities, or in some cases actually grow into a future career.
• Help others help your child – Most children with Asperger’s Syndrome have no overt visible sign of disability, so you may need to alert teachers, coaches, relatives and other adults to their special needs.

There are many wonderful and extremely helpful websites available to assist those families struggling with Asperger’s Syndrome.  The Online Asperger Syndrome Information and Support (OASIS) center has joined with MAAP Services for Autism and Asperger Syndrome to create an exceptional single resource for families, individuals, and medical professionals who deal with the challenges of Asperger Syndrome, Autism,

and Autism Spectrum Disorders.  They are located at http://www.aspergerSyndrome.org    Another helpful site is the Asperger’s Syndrome Education Network (ASPEN) located at http://www.aspennj.org.  Locally, PeerBuddies (PeerBuddies.com) provides social skills training for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, or general social delays, through peer mentoring within the community.  They can be reached at (805) 620-PEER (7337).  Also, the Autism Society of America – Santa Barbara Chapter is an excellent resource for families and can be reached at (805) 560-3762.