Text Box:     Children with Autism Spectrum experience the world differently from their peers in an everyday setting.   As with other Autism Spectrum Disorders a child with Asperger’s syndrome can vary greatly in symptoms and severity including complex social struggles.   Difficulty in the social setting is the most prominent concern for children with Asperger’s.
	Asperger’s Syndrome is associated with social impairment, narrow interest, repetitive routines, patterns of speech, non-verbal communication, and motor difficulties.  Often these difficulties lead to misinterpretations of their actions as well as misconceptions of their character.  These difficulties at a young age may appear and even be misdiagnosed as another disorder.   Some children are initially diagnosed with ADHD or categorized as oppositional.  Also the focus may be on areas of speech, fine motor or gross motor skills. 
	Children with Asperger’s syndrome have difficulty reading social cues.  While their peer will read a face like a traffic light, they will know when to stop, slow down or that everything is ok, the individual with Asperger’s they may only read the extreme cues that tell them someone is unhappy with them or misread responses.  Due to this difficulty many children will attempt to reason through situations that come naturally to others.  This may lead to exhaustion, anxiety or depression.  

Teens with Asperger’s may face increased difficulties when they transition to middle school.  In these settings, they are faced with a day full of transitions, new (and ever changing) social expectations, and increased responsibility.   The child with Asperger’s Syndrome may be very overwhelmed.  While this transition is difficult for most children, the increase in stress, anxiety and depression may intensify the symptoms that have been less apparent.  Due to the difficulties regulating their emotions, they have difficulty coping in many settings.  In order to be successful, they will require more support at school and home.

Asperger’s Syndrome is often characterized by a very intense interest in a particular object.  As young children this may be trains, dinosaurs, or parts of objects.  As they grow older this may include more broad fascination with different categories, culture or even periods of history.  Their fascination with these topics are so intense they have little interest in other areas.  This can influence their peer relationships as well as their cooperation in learning about other things.  In addition children may be more sensitive to sensory input.  Children may be very sensitive to loud noises or certain pitches.  This can be true of lights or smells as well.  Children with Asperger’s may be intolerant of tags in their clothing, the seams in socks, and certain textures in foods. 
 This complex disorder requires the cooperation of many involved to help the individual thrive in the world around them.   Understanding the disorder and an appropriate diagnosis can help the individual obtain the help they need.  Children with Asperger’s Syndrome may already feel different but understanding their disorder can help them to understand their strengths and weakness in a way that helps them to engage with the world around them.  Treatment for children with Asperger’s may involve a team of therapists and include Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Social Skills Training.  In addition therapy can help individuals cope with the stress, depression and anxiety they face.  
Text Box: Asperger’s Syndrome

January 2010

Issue 14

Carolina Center for Counseling

& Behavioral Interventions, LLC

Contact Information

304 A North East Main Street

  Simpsonville, SC 29681    

 

Phone: 864 - 963 - 4028

Fax: 877-201-4878

www.cccbi.net

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