Know More About Aspergers Syndrome

Until the recent TV show "Boston Legal", most people had never heard the term Asperger's Syndrome. On that program one of the main characters, an attorney, is diagnosed with it. He was an adult, an accomplished attorney, and a character in a TV show. Asperger's Syndrome is seen in children and can be misdiagnosed as some other childhood condition.

Asperger's Syndrome falls into a category that the medical system calls autistic spectrum disorders, and/or the category called pervasive developmental disorders which both mean basically the same thing. They include problems with communication and social interaction. The symptoms of Asperger's Syndrome very similar to those for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). They include such things as rapid talk, monotone speech, odd walk or gait, obsessive focus on one subject such as dates or statistics, moving awkwardly, and appearing to not notice or care about other people's feelings. This list is not all inclusive.

Physicians are quick to point out that all children have their own individual eccentricities and just because a child is displaying some of the above symptoms does not necessarily mean they have ADHD or Asperger's Syndrome. It is when these behaviours interfere with social development like making friends, or interfere with learning that steps should be taken. These steps begin by first talking with your paediatrician. He or she can determine if a comprehensive evaluation is needed.

Medicine has not yet determined the cause of Asperger's Syndrome. They know it is linked to abnormalities in several areas of the brain, and they know that genetics are a factor. The exact cause of the condition is still somewhat of a mystery. It is important to understand the cause of any condition because that helps in finding a treatment. Today we do not know what causes Asperger's Syndrome, and today there is no absolute cure for it.

While there is no miracle drug or surgical procedure that will cure Asperger's Syndrome today, there are steps that can be taken to help those diagnosed to be able to manage the symptoms. Some drugs can be used to lessen the effects of specific symptoms. This is not a cure, it is a management procedure. If the drug is stopped, the symptom will return.

It is very similar to medicine for high blood pressure. If the medicine is stopped, the high blood pressure will return. In addition to drugs to lessen the effects of the symptoms, behaviour management training, communication training and exercises, and stress coping awareness can help the person with Asperger's Syndrome  learn to live a better, more productive life.

To discover more about Asperger's Syndrome join our growing community of parents who have children  with Asperger's Syndrome at http://www.parentingaspergerscommunity.com/