aspergerssyndromedirectory.com

aspergerssyndromedirectory.com

Asperger's syndrome is a neurobiological condition that was first summarized by Viennese physician Hans Asperger. Although Asperger first published a paper describing the signs of Asperger's in 1944, it wasn't officially recognized as a condition until 1994. That is perhaps due to the relative subtlety of the symptoms. Since the syndrome is largely associated with autism, which generally prevents its victims from living a normal life, Asperger's is seen as a more docile, livable condition.

Still, parents of those who suffer from Asperger's would argue that the condition deserves more attention. Children who go undiagnosed often suffer needlessly at the hands of unsympathetic p ... (more)

Asperger's syndrome is a neurobiological condition that was first summarized by Viennese physician Hans Asperger. Although Asperger first published a paper describing the signs of Asperger's in 1944, it wasn't officially recognized as a condition until 1994. That is perhaps due to the relative subtlety of the symptoms. Since the syndrome is largely associated with autism, which generally prevents its victims from living a normal life, Asperger's is seen as a more docile, livable condition.

Still, parents of those who suffer from Asperger's would argue that the condition deserves more attention. Children who go undiagnosed often suffer needlessly at the hands of unsympathetic peers who taunt and tease them.

Asperger's symptoms range greatly in degree, but are characterized by normal intelligence and language development coupled with an autistic-like lack of social awareness and deficiencies in communication skills. Children who suffer from Asperger's often perform well on school tests, but are awkward or inappropriate in social circumstances. They don't know how to interpret the social signs sent by others. For instance, a person with Asperger's syndrome may stand inside another person's “personal space” without ever sensing that they are making the other person uncomfortable or nervous. They may interpret a grimace as a grin, or not associate any emotion at all with the body language presented to them by other people. They are often seen as eccentric or odd and risk being bullied or teased relentlessly by peers, no matter what their age.

There are answers to the syndrome. Therapies directed at inappropriate behaviors that teach social skills are making great headway in the lives of Asperger's sufferers. Anxiety suffered by those with the syndrome can be treated medically or therapeutically as well. Researchers are constantly gaining ground on this condition, and are giving parents hope that their children will live normal lives.

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