Asperger’s Syndrome: Some Signs & Symptoms to look out for

A Quick Guide

Asperger’s syndrome is a high-functioning form of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) characterized by difficulties in social interaction, repetitive behaviors, and rigid thinking patterns. It used to be an official diagnosis but is no longer recognized separately. The causes of Asperger’s syndrome are not known, but genetic and neurobiological factors may contribute. It is more common in boys and is typically diagnosed between the ages of five and nine. Symptoms of Asperger’s syndrome include limited social skills, restricted interests, difficulty with nonverbal cues, heightened sensory sensitivity, and speech peculiarities. Early intervention and treatment are important for children with ASD or Asperger’s syndrome.

What is Asperger’s Syndrome?

Asperger’s syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is a part of Autism Spectrum disorder ASD. A while back, it used to be an official diagnosis though that is no longer the case now. Someone with Asperger’s syndrome faces more problems during social interaction and may have repetitive or rigid thinking patterns and behaviors. Doctors term this condition a “high functioning” form of ASD. This is because their symptoms tend to be less severe than other forms of ASD. 

Usually, those with Asperger’s syndrome tend to do fairly well in school and other settings. They can interact well with others too. Though what they have a problem with is understanding social cues, sarcasm or body language, etc. Or they may talk repetitively about 1 topic or only be interested in a limited range of activities. This can lead to obsessive behaviors that may disrupt the child’s daily life. 

Causes & Prevalence

There are no known causes of Asperger’s syndrome but research suggests that a person’s genes or some brain abnormalities can play a significant role. As it is a neurobiological disorder, we know it is not due to poor parenting. 

Asperger’s Syndrome is three to four times more common in boys than in girls. A diagnosis is made in the majority of instances during the ages of five and nine, while some cases are identified as early as the age of three.

Symptoms

Children with this disorder have unusual speech patterns, restricted facial expressions, poor social skills, and other odd behaviors. They may exhibit an exceptional awareness of sensory stimuli and engage in obsessive behaviors. 

The linguistic development of kids with Asperger’s Syndrome frequently does not exhibit any difficulties. They are probably smart and have a strong vocabulary, but they are also probably adept with grammar. They have problems speaking in social situations. Their cognitive growth may not be visibly delayed. Organization and attention span issues are common in these children though they have an average amount of intelligence. 

While every child with this disorder is unique, what distinguishes them are their problems with social interaction and fixated interests. Some of the symptoms listed below may be present in a kid with Asperger’s Syndrome:

• A strong preoccupation with one or two limited, specific topics
• Becoming upset at even minor routine modifications
• Conversations that typically usually focus on themselves or one particular subject rather than others
• Difficulty regulating emotions, which can occasionally cause verbal or behavioral outbursts, self-harming actions, or tantrums
• Effortlessly remembering preferred facts and information
• Failing to comprehend the thoughts or feelings of others
• Having trouble reading facial expressions or having a limited comprehension of emotions
• Heightened sensitivity to sounds, smells, and textures
• Limited or inappropriate social interactions
• Not making use of or comprehending nonverbal cues like gestures, body language, or facial expression
• Uncoordinated, clumsy movements, especially problems with handwriting
• Unusual speech sounds, including flat, high-pitched, loud, or robotic sounds

When to seek help?

It is important to understand that treatment should begin while a child’s brain is still in the developing stages. Consult your child’s pediatrician if you observe any indications of ASD or Asperger’s syndrome in them. The doctor can then recommend a mental health professional who specializes in making this kind of condition diagnosis.

We hope you found this article useful in understanding what Asperger’s syndrome really is including its symptoms, prevalence, and causes.