Asperger's Syndrome

As parents, we believe our children are the most special gifts the Lord has blessed us with.

I've been doing a bit of research on AS. There's plenty of information accessible through books on the subject, online Web sites, as well as presentations in special education seminars. AS falls on the high-functioning end of the autism spectrum. The many resources provide help in developing coping strategies, and ways to prepare the child and family for dealing with AS.

This relatively new diagnosis is being discovered by more and more families who have had to suffer through the difficulties of raising children with AS.

Characteristics of Asperger's Syndrome:

• May move into the personal space of others, not recognizing body language, facial and verbal cues that he/she has transgressed
  
• May not make direct eye contact
  
• Lack of emotional reciprocity or empathy Rigid and inflexible adherence to specific routines or rituals
  
• Stereotyped and repetitive motor movements
  
• Persistent preoccupation with parts of objects
  
• Friends and new acquaintances may be acknowledged with tight and enthusiastic hugs instead of formal greetings like “Hi, how are you?”
  
• May begin to talk about the latest topic of concern which is of interest only to themselves (e.g., train schedules), may be age inappropriate or boring but the person does not pick up on looks of disinterest or snickers from the group.
  
• Speech and language peculiarities such as: stilted and formal language, voice too loud or monotone or hyperverbal.
  
• Hypersensitivity to noises or smells
  
• Cognitive abilities which are average or above average (They are often known as “little professors”)
  
• Difficulties with subjects that require inferential reasoning, abstract concepts, problem solving, extensive calculations or social judgements.
  
• Fine motor problems which lead to poor penmanship and low writing motivation
  
• Gross motor clumsiness which leads to poor skills in competitive sports and physical activities
  
• Depression, frequent school absences, low school motivation due to being socially vulnerable and easy targets for teasing and bullying
  

Links about Asperger's Syndrome:

• Asperger's Syndrome, a description


• O.A.S.I.S., Online Asperger's Syndrome Information and Support


• Mozart and the Whale, a movie about someone with AS, starring Josh Hartnett and Radha Mitchell.

Perhaps this information will shed some light on why someone you know and love acts the way he or she does. Sometimes it can be difficult to understand a beautiful mind.

Aloha, Joe