Aspergers Syndrome is a type of Autism, however, the symptoms are usually much milder and less distressing to those people around them. However, it is still a serious condition which affects 1-2 people in 2000, of which, more tend to be boys than girls.
Aspergers Syndrome wasn’t widely recognized by parents and professionals as recently as in the 1990’s. Autism itself was first diagnosed in 1943.
Despite what could be seen as a significant problem for the sufferers of Aspergers Syndrome, many people with this condition lead very successful and productive lives.
Autism is a neurological disorder. Nobody knows exactly what causes it although there does seem to be a high degree of evidence which suggests that it may be genetic. In many cases, where one child in a family has autism or Aspergers Syndrome, there is a significant chance that any other children will also have this condition either to a lesser or greater degree.
It is possible that there are other factors which may cause this condition either before during or after the birth of a child. At this present time, we don’t know the answers to this question although hopefully after much research, the answer will be found.
There is no simple test to diagnose Aspergers Syndrome or Autism, the diagnosis is done by taking a developmental history and observation of the patient.
There isn’t any cure for either Aspergers Syndrome or Autism either. However, with a lot of hard work, many sufferers of Aspergers live ordinary lives with few difficulties.
Aspergers symptoms include
- Deficiency in social skills
- Difficulty with accepting changes to their environment
- They may be very pre-occupied with a specific topic and study it and talk about it incessantly, becoming very proficient in it.
- Find it difficult to read nonverbal communication signals and tend to have poor body space i.e. they will invade other peoples space unknowingly.
Despite these symptoms, many sufferers from Aspergers live normal lives and in some cases, probably due to their obsession with a particular topic, may become very successful.