Finding The Often Missed Link in Recovery

            You may know someone who is fighting to rise above a drug addiction.  Or, you may know someone who is struggling to overcome the symptoms of a mental illness. But you probably didn’t know that for more than 10 million Americans, the real obstacle is not one or the other—for many, it’s trying to recover from both.  
            ”The road to recovery is riddled with setbacks,” said Alan Flory, ReDiscover President and CEO.  “One of the biggest hurdles for those with drug addictions is identifying and treating a mental illness that they may not even know they have. Likewise, many families do not recognize that their mentally ill family member also has a substance abuse problem.” 

            According to data from the National Co-morbidity Survey, between 41% and 65.5% of people with an addictive disorder also have at least one mental disorder, and 51% of those with a mental disorder also have at least one addictive disorder.

            Flory said, “In many instances, one problem may be discovered while the other issue is missed.  For example, symptoms of depression might first be detected by a parent or a teacher, but a drug addiction might not be revealed.  Or, a meth addiction could be exposed by the police department but bipolar disorder is not suspected.  Symptoms of one issue may overshadow or mask symptoms of the other.”

            One reason it can be so difficult to unravel the symptoms is because so many people simply don’t understand how substance abuse and mental illness work hand in hand.

            ReDiscover Counselor and IOP Coordinator Angie Lewis explained, “Individuals with both issues may wrongly imagine that their drug problem and their mental illness are completely separate from each other. They may compartmentalize their issues and only blame drug abuse for creating a life threatening situation.  Or, they may believe that the mental illness is the only cause of their pain. It’s actually more complicated than that.” 

            Common consequences that are associated with combinations of both substance abuse and mental illness include:

• Family problems
  
• Low self-esteem
  
• Anxiety
  
• Unemployment
  
• Increased emergency room admissions
  
• multiple hospitalizations 
  
• divorce
  
  
• abuse to self and others
  
  
• School problems
  
• High risk behavior while driving
  
• Legal problems
  
• Possible incarceration
  
• Homelessness
  
• Suicide
  
  

            Flory added, “Those who struggle with mental illness and substance abuse face a huge scope of problems.  It’s difficult enough to cope with one problem, but the effects can be devastating on an individual and an entire family when the two issues are at work and only half of the situation is understood. The symptoms of substance abuse and mental illness are intertwined because both issues deeply affect the thoughts, personality, emotions, and behavior of the same individual. That’s why ReDiscover provides integrated treatment for people with addiction and mental illness.”           

            Help is available.  If you suspect that someone you care about is struggling with a combination of substance abuse and mental illness, call ReDiscover’s Crisis & Access Line at 816-966-0900.  ReDiscover provides help, hope, and healing for mental illness and substance abuse.  ReDiscover is helping the community fight its drug problems by expanding its services to provide a new local program to help people in Lee’s Summit who have substance abuse issues.  

For more information, visit www.rediscovermh.org.

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Alarming Trend in Teen Drug Use

    If you guessed that marijuana was the Number One drug most often abused by American teens, you’re right.  But, what about the Number Two drug? You may be shocked to discover that it’s not cocaine, or heroin, or methamphetamines—instead, it’s the drugs found in the family medicine cabinet.           

            “Prescription drug abuse is a serious addiction issue for teens and adults,” said Alan Flory, ReDiscover President and CEO.  “Parents need to be aware that some teens experiment with drugs by raiding the medicine cabinet at home, trying prescriptions that belong to other family members.  And, people with addictions may also steal prescription medications—especially pain killers—from medicine cabinets outside their own homes, including from grandparents or neighbors or friends.”

            According to the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, more teens abuse prescription drugs than any other illicit drug, except marijuana; more than cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine combined. Every day, 2,500 kids age 12 to17 abuse a prescription painkiller for the first time and more people are getting addicted to prescription drugs. Drug treatment admissions for prescription painkillers increased more than 300 percent from 1995 to 2005. 

            Some teens mistakenly believe that abusing prescription drugs is safer and less addictive than abusing street drugs.

            “Teens need to know that prescription drug abuse is every bit as serious as street drug abuse,” said ReDiscover Counselor Angie Lewis. “Medications may be accessible in their own home, but prescription drugs are dangerous and can be lethal when taken by people who were not prescribed to take them.”

            What are some of the most commonly abused prescription drugs?

            Although many prescription drugs can be abused, The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that the three classes of prescription drugs that are most commonly abused are:

• Opioids, which are most often prescribed to treat pain;
  
• Central nervous system (CNS) depressants, which are used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders; and
  
• Stimulants, which are prescribed to treat the sleep disorder narcolepsy and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
  
  “Drug abuse is still drug abuse whether people are using illegal street drugs or abusing prescription medications.“ Lewis said.  “Never use someone else’s prescription or allow a friend to use your medications.  It’s a serious health risk and it is also breaking the law.”
  

            Flory added, “Parents can help protect kids from prescription drug abuse by making some changes at home.  Think about what prescription and over-the-counter drugs you have.  Where are medicines kept? Would you know if some medications were missing?  It’s important to monitor and secure medications in any home. It’s also important to realize that not just teens are at risk—adults and older adults can develop prescription drug addictions.”

            Help is available.  If you suspect that someone you care about is experimenting with drugs or has a drug addiction, call ReDiscover’s Crisis & Access Line at 816-966-0900.  ReDiscover is a local leader in drug prevention and drug recovery.  ReDiscover is helping the community fight its drug problems by expanding its services to provide a new local program to help people in Lee’s Summit who have substance abuse issues.   For more information, visit www.rediscovermh.org.

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When Somebody You Love Has a Drug Problem

It may start with a blatant lie that you know is not possibly true.  Or, it could be that money is missing from your wallet…again.  Or, maybe it’s another hushed phone conversation or a constantly locked door that has caused you to realize that something is definitely wrong.

“It’s hard to admit that a loved one may have a drug or alcohol problem even if many signs indicate that it must be true,” said Alan Flory, ReDiscover President and CEO.  “As a parent or spouse, you desperately want to believe that if there was a drug problem, you’d know it right away.  But, the truth is not every drug addict or alcoholic is incapacitated by their addiction. People with substance abuse issues can hold jobs, make payments on a car or house, go to school, and even maintain a family life.  It’s even possible for an addict to keep his or her addiction a secret from a caring parent or a loving spouse.”

But, eventually the substance abuse issue begins causing problems. 

ReDiscover Counselor Angie Lewis explained, “Sometimes an individual becomes entrenched in their drug or alcohol habit without realizing that a serious addiction problem is developing. Then, when life starts falling apart, the person may go to great lengths to deny that the use of drugs is the reason for the situation. Life’s problems may be blamed on other people or on other circumstances.”

Friends, co-workers, and family members want to believe the individual. 

According to Flory, “It’s upsetting and hurtful to everyone involved for someone you care about to be caught in a substance abuse crisis. The initial reaction may be ‘it can’t happen here.’  But all types of people in Lee’s Summit abuse drugs.  We see problems with youth, young adults, working people, and the elderly.  The most frequent drugs abused in Lee’s Summit include alcohol, marijuana, prescription drug abuse, opiates, and meth.”

The Partnership for a Drug-Free America offers these warning signs: if you notice unexplained changes in physical appearance or behavior, it may be a sign of substance use – or it could be a sign of another problem that requires help and attention.

Physical Signs

• Change in sleeping patterns
  
• Bloodshot eyes
  
• Slurred or agitated speech
  
• Sudden or dramatic weight loss or gain
  
• Skin abrasions/bruises
  
• Neglected appearance/poor hygiene
  
• Sick more frequently
  
• Accidents or injuries
  
  

Behavioral Signs

• Hiding use; lying and covering up
  
• Sense that the person will “do anything” to use again regardless of consequences
  
• Loss of control or choice of use (drug-seeking behavior)
  
• Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
  
• Emotional instability
  
• Hyperactive or hyper-aggressive
  
• Depression
  
• Missing school or work
  
• Failure to fulfill responsibilities at school or work
  
• Complaints from teachers or co-workers
  
• Reports of intoxication at school or work
  
• Furtive or secretive behavior
  
• Avoiding eye contact
  
• Locked doors
  
• Going out every night
  
• Change in friends or peer group
  
• Change in clothing or appearance
  
• Unusual smells on clothing or breath
  
• Heavy use of over-the-counter preparations to reduce eye reddening, nasal irritation, or bad breath
  
• Hidden stashes of alcohol
  
• Prescription medicine missing
  
• Money missing
  
• Valuables missing
  
• Disappearances for long periods of time
  
• Running away
  
• Secretive phone calls
  
• Unusual containers or wrappers
  
  

 

Flory said, “Do not ignore a drug or alcohol problem and assume it will go away! It won’t. Parents, get help for your kids. Do not let your teens and pre-teens go to parties without close adult supervision present, and make sure alcohol is not available if youth are underage. People abusing drugs and alcohol rarely stop on their own. Problems usually get worse unless you intervene. A loved one’s addiction usually hurts others as well as affecting everyone’s mental and physical health.’

Help is available.  ReDiscover is a local leader in drug prevention and drug recovery in the area.  In fact, as of July, this nonprofit is preparing to help the community fight its drug problems by providing new local services to people in Lee’s Summit who have substance abuse issues.  For more information, visitwww.rediscovermh.org.

www.rediscovermh.org.

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Coping with Emotions after Surgery

The adjustments to life after surgery can take an emotional toll.  In fact, coping with emotions can seem devastating to an active senior who is suddenly confined to bed rest, not able to do things, and left feeling powerless.

“An unexpected complication for older adults in recovery from surgery can be depression,” said Alan Flory, President and CEO of ReDiscover.  “Before surgery, an individual may have to deal with the crisis of an accidental fall or making plans to participate in a scheduled medical procedure.  But, after surgery, daily life slows down considerably.  Patients may feel blindsided by unexpected feelings of vulnerability and a huge sense of loss, fear, and anxiety about coping with the future.”

It can be difficult for older adults to cope with how life has changed after surgery. Sometimes the warning signs of depression after surgery are missed or dismissed by medical professionals.

According to The National Institute of Mental Health, “Health professionals may mistakenly think that persistent depression is an acceptable response to other serious illnesses and the social and financial hardships that often accompany aging—an attitude often shared by older people themselves. This contributes to low rates of diagnosis and treatment in older adults. Depression can and should be treated when it occurs at the same time as other medical illnesses. Untreated depression can delay recovery or worsen the outcome of these other illnesses.”

Psychiatrist Dr. Teresa Walker, ReDiscover Medical Director of Senior Services, said, “Surgery is a major turning point in anybody’s life. As a medical community we need to acknowledge that there’s much more going on with people than the physical side of their recovery.  A special concern for seniors is about recognizing signs of depression after surgery.  Older adults can recover more fully when symptoms of depression are recognized and treated.”

What can patients recovering from surgery do about depression?

“Become more knowledgeable about it,” Dr.  Walker said. “Depression is a strong feeling of sadness or emptiness that lasts more than 2 weeks. You may feel sad, tired, or irritable and you may lose interest in daily activities.  It helps to know that feelings of depression can be treated.”

Some signs of depression include the following feelings:

• nervous
  
• empty
  
• worthless
  
• that you don’t enjoy things you used to
  
• restless
  
• irritable
  
• unloved
  
• that life isn’t worth living
  

 

What proactive measures can you take to improve your situation?

Ask Questions.  Knowing what to expect after surgery can help in your recovery. Knowledge is empowering.  Information can reduce fear, worry, and confusion. If you’re not sure what to expect after surgery, ask your doctor.

Become As Active As Possible.  Even limited exercise has physical benefits and can improve your mood, self-esteem, and quality of life. Talk to your doctor about how to create an exercise program that’s right for you.

Let People Help. Don’t isolate yourself. Talking to your friends and family can make a difference.

Help is Available. ReDiscover provides support and treatment to older adults with depression in Jackson County, including Lee’s Summit, Grandview, Raytown and South Kansas City.

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Diagnosis and Treatment Needlessly Delayed For Some Seniors

Sometimes friends and family members recognize that someone who seems sad may be battling depression, but depression can look very different at different ages.  So different, that some seniors may not get the support and medical attention they need because no one realizes what is really wrong.

“Depression has many different faces.  It’s not a one-size-fits-all illness,” said Alan Flory, ReDiscover CEO and President. ”A big problem for older adults is recognizing what depression may look like at different ages, especially for their age range.  Older adults often believe that if they aren’t feeling sad, they aren’t depressed. The truth is older adults who are suffering from depression may not feel sad.  Frequently the warning sign they most need to recognize is apathy.  Sadness may be there, too, but sadness may seem overshadowed by feeling lifeless and empty inside.”

According to HelpGuide.org, depression is often expressed differently according to one’s age, sex, and culture:

• Depression in teens. Depression in teenagers can look different than it does in adults. Irritability—rather than depression—is frequently the predominant mood. A depressed adolescent may be hostile, grumpy, or easily lose his or her temper. Unexplained aches and pains are also common symptoms of depression in children and teens.
  
• Depression in older adults. The difficult changes that many older adults face—such as bereavement, loss of independence, and health problems—can lead to depression, especially in those without a strong support system. However, depression is not a normal part of aging. Older adults tend to complain more about the physical rather than the emotional signs and symptoms of depression, and so their mood disorder often goes unrecognized. But depression in the elderly is associated with poor health, a high mortality rate, and an increased risk of suicide, so diagnosis and treatment are extremely important.
  
• Depression in Women. Rates of depression in women are twice as high as they are in men. This is due in part to hormonal factors, particularly when it comes to premenstrual syndrome (PMS), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), postpartum depression, and perimenopausal depression. As for signs and symptoms, women are more likely than men to experience pronounced feelings of guilt, sleep excessively, overeat, and gain weight. Women are also more likely to suffer from seasonal affective disorder.
  
• Depression in Men. Depressed men are less likely than women to acknowledge feelings of self-loathing and hopelessness. Instead, they tend to complain about fatigue, irritability, sleep problems, and loss of interest in work and hobbies. Other signs and symptoms of depression in men include anger, aggression and violence, reckless behavior, and substance abuse. Men may also try to cope with their depression by throwing themselves into their work.
  

When depression is left undiagnosed and untreated, its impact can cause significant setbacks for people of all ages.  For older adults, depression can complicate other physical illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, and Parkinson’s disease.

Psychiatrist Dr. Teresa Walker, ReDiscover Medical Director of Senior Services, said, “Like arthritis or heart disease, depression is a separate chronic illness. Getting a diagnosis and proper treatment is only the beginning of the challenge.  Older adults with risk factors for heart attack and stroke need to be closely monitored for signs of depression.  Conditions such as heart attack, stroke, hip fracture, and bypass surgery can all play a part in the development of depression.  It’s important to understand that depression can be triggered by certain prescription drugs. It’s also important to realize that risks for depression can increase if physical recovery is taking more time than expected or if hospital stays are disappointedly frequent or if discharges are delayed.”

Sometimes even the people who are suffering from depression don’t recognize the specific symptoms or take their condition seriously enough.  Some warning signs of depression in older adults may be blamed on old age or other health problems when they are likely linked to depression. Those symptoms can include:

• Constant complaints that seem vague or unfounded
  
• Frequent phone calls or conversations that seem out of character
  
  
• Demanding behavior
  
• Complaints about lack of energy and feeling tired all the time
  
• inability to enjoy activities that are still possible to do and used to bring pleasure, but don’t anymore 
  
• withdrawal from friends and family
  
• irritability, anger, or anxiety
  
• loss of appetite, inability to sleep
  

Help is Available. ReDiscover provides support and treatment to older adults with depression in Jackson County, including Lee’s Summit, Grandview, Raytown and South Kansas City.

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ReDiscover conducting cell phone drive

By Brett Dalton

A local organization is looking to raise funds by collecting and recycling items everyone seems to have.

ReDiscover, a local non-profit mental health agency, and the ReDiscover Auxiliary are seeking out area individuals and businesses to participate in a pre-owned cell phone drive. The goal of the drive is to collect 5,000 used cell phones, which will be recycled to help raise money for services offered by ReDiscover. Beverly Ward, ReDiscover Auxiliary president, said used cell phones of any brand, model or operative ability are welcome. “If you know of any businesses that provide cell phones to employees, please ask if there are any unwanted cell phones they would like to donate,” Ward said. “We don’t need the chargers or accessories. We only need the cell phone and battery — chargers and other accessories are not necessary. The phones can be working or non-working, old or very old.”

There is no cost to participate in the drive, which is being described as “environmentally friendly.” This is the first year ReDiscover has conducted a cell phone drive to help raise funds. “They are pretty much getting their feet wet with it this year,” said Robin Blakely, spokesperson for ReDiscover. Already, some area businesses have taken part in the drive and have drop boxes set up at their area locations. ReDiscover has drop boxes available in Lee’s Summit, South Kansas City and Kansas City. Other area businesses already participating are Bank Midwest, Metropolitan Community College–Blue River, Fantastic Sam’s, Plato’s Closet and Progressive Insurance. “This is a great opportunity for the Lee’s Summit and surrounding communities to come together and help raise money for ReDiscover’s clientele,” Ward said. “This particular cell phone drive is different than all others because it is so easy to participate, it helps the community and the environment and the funds raised will help obtain necessary treatment for people that live in our community.”

The drive is considered favorable to the environment as the cell phones that can no longer be used will be recycled, instead of “being thrown in a landfill somewhere,” according to Bev Hatley, ReDiscover drive organizer. Hatley said the cell phones that can be used will be repaired as needed and distributed throughout the United States and other countries for use by emergency response agencies.

For a business to participate in the drive, Hatley said a representative from the company can call ReDiscover at 816-347-3259 and a ReDiscover representative will deliver a drop box to the business. For more information about ReDiscover, visit its Web site at www.rediscovermh.org.

Special Needs of Caregiving Parents

Raising a child with special needs is a fulltime job packed with intensity. As weeks morph into months and months turn into years, the pressures of round-the-clock caregiving for children with special needs can be overwhelming to parents.

“Managing family life is stressful especially when you are first dealing with identifying the child’s health issue and planning how to manage an obstacle or crisis that is unfolding,” said Alan Flory, President and CEO of ReDiscover.

“Unfortunately, stress doesn’t immediately evaporate when a crisis is over.  Stress can continue to grow with the daily pressures of living ‘normal’ life.  Parents, who are caregivers of children with special needs like Asperger’s syndrome, bipolar disorder, or other mental or physical issues,face stressful situations so often that they may feel compelled to put their own needs on the ‘back burner’ forever. They need to be reminded to take care of themselves, not just their child.”

The daily demands of caregiving for children with special needs can become so challenging that parents forget the basics of taking care of themselves. Yet, how parents deal with the daily pressures of life can positively or negatively impact their own mental health and their overall health and well-being.

Flory said, “There will be times when you can’t do everything that needs to be done. It helps if you can call on a friend, family member, support group or counselor for hands-on help or even over-the-phone advice.  Just talking to someone can help you cope and can make you feel better.”

But, don’t forget to connect with others when you aren’t in crisis. 

Mental Health America, the country’s leading nonprofit dedicated to helping ALL people live mentally healthier lives, suggests these four tips to help caregivers:

Get connected with family and friends. Having fun, laughing and focusing on things other than your responsibilities helps you keep your emotional balance and makes you a much better caregiver.

Use community resources, such as adult day services, meal or shopping services, and caregiver support groups to help lighten your workload.

Talk to your supervisor at work about your caregiving responsibilities, so he or she knows what difficulties you may experience. Ask your human resources department for information on the Family and Medical Leave Act, which allows up to 12 weeks a year unpaid leave for family caregivers who meet certain requirements. Get involved in spiritual activities. Studies have shown that religious involvement and spirituality are associated with better health outcomes, such as greater coping skills, less anxiety and a lower risk of depression. Spirituality may provide a sense of hope, meaning and purpose in life, a way to understand suffering and illness, and a connection with others. Religious and spiritual practices, such as prayer and meditation, can evoke positive emotions that can lead to better health.

 

Flory said, “Finding healthy ways to manage daily stress can lower the risk of mental health and other health problems for caregiving parents. It’s important to the whole family that caregiving parents take care of themselves and learn how to take time to relax frequently.”

What should caregiving parents do?

Rest your brain. Too busy?  Stop and take a deep breath. Some caregivers relax by listening to music, reading a book, or watching a funny movie. Deep breathing, yoga, or meditation can be relaxing ways to re-energize.

Exercise your body and your mind. Exercising improves a caregiver’s mood and helps improve the quality of sleep at bedtime. Exercise can help ease symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Say ‘yes’ to yourself. Make time for yourself by saying ‘yes’ to your own needs. If you’re overwhelmed at home or work, learn how to set your limits so that you get the care you need, too.  

Try encouraging yourself.  Positive self-talk matters. Try not to put yourself down when you make a mistake or fall short of a goal.  Train yourself to acknowledge and cheer yourself on for every step you make.

 

But, what if things aren’t going well?  How do you know if too much is officially becoming ‘too much’ to handle?

Warning signs for caregivers:

- Feeling angry, irritable or easily frustrated by your normal daily activities
- Feeling overwhelmed by your caregiving role
- Changing in your own eating habits to skip meals or too over indulge
- Experiencing problems concentrating or problems with memory
- Feeling nervous or anxious about your ability to continue to cope
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Feeling burned out physically or emotionally
- Feeling that you can’t overcome difficulties in your life
- Having trouble functioning in your job or personal life

Help is available.  ReDiscover and other community mental health agencies offer care that includes teaching families how to manage daily life caring for children with special needs. ReDiscover provides at-home support at the level it is needed, and works with individuals and their families to address problems that include finding ways to meet life’s challenges.

Tips for Parents of Newly Diagnosed Child

Life suddenly changes when your child is officially diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome.  As a parent, there is a certain kind of relief in knowing that the disorder has a name, that your family is not alone, and that special help is available, but that’s only the tip of the iceberg. 

“Understanding that the neurological disorder exists is one thing, but trying to translate a long list of symptoms into a working strategy may feel overwhelming,” said Alan Flory, President and CEO of ReDiscover, “The day-to-day issues of living with a child with special needs are challenging for parents and can be stressful to the entire family.  It’s important to know that it really is possible to get the kind of help you need to lean about the disorder and to handle the unique challenges that you face when you are living with Asperger’s Syndrome.”

What is Asperger’s Syndrome?

Young children with Asperger’s Syndrome typically have normal to advanced language and intellectual development; yet they experience distinct impairment in two-way social interaction.  Some symptoms include severe difficulties with transitions, struggles with change, obsessive concerns about following set routines, and difficulty comprehending the facial expressions of others.

How does that impact your daily life, if you’re the parent?

It may take more time than you expect for your child to respond to a question that you ask. Children with Asperger’s Syndrome sometimes need extra time to process questions. 

“Patience and compassion is the key.”  Flory said, “To the parent, it may seem as if the child must physically stop what he or she is thinking, put that information away, consider what your question means, compose an answer, and then respond. If you interrupt the child’s thinking process, the child will have to restart the process to come up with the answer. It can be frustrating, but it really helps if you can wait patiently for the child’s answer and help others learn to wait.”

Another issue involves communication.  

According to ReDiscover Psychiatrist Dr. John Wubbenhorst, “Children with Asperger’s Syndrome can have a great deal of difficulty interpreting the semantics of speech or the nonverbal cues in conversations. So, they may not know when you are serious or if you are just kidding.  Sarcasm and some humor are often not understood, and explanations of what is meant may be difficult to translate.  Social cues have to be specifically taught to these children and parents need help learning ways to help kids understand.”

Angry outbursts, yelling, or shrieking can be daily issues for parents of children with Asperger’s syndrome. An unexpected change in routine may cause an emotional ‘meltdown.‘

Learning how to recognize and manage symptoms is the key to living with Asperger’s Syndrome or any mental illness. 

What do you need to know?

When your child has an angry outburst, it helps to realize that the child is not deliberately trying to be difficult, although it may feel that way if you’re overwhelmed when it happens. An angry outburst is actually a common way for the child to express that he or she is feeling overwhelmed and needs your help to get things back into control.

Wubbenhorst said, “Sometimes your child will feel compelled to repeat the same thing over and over again.  If you tune into that, it may serve as a warning sign for you to recognize when your child is becoming increasingly stressed or over stimulated, Then, you can help him or her find a way to take a break to relax or regroup.

Children with Asperger’s Syndrome can have difficulty with unstructured play times and may not respond well to unexpected changes in their schedule or in their environment.

What do you need to watch out for?

Sometimes loud noises, bright lights, strong tastes or textures are triggers that over-stimulate your child’s heightened sensitivity.   

Children with Asperger’s Syndrome may need extra help shifting gears between activities. Learning to give one or two warnings before a change of activity can help.

Daily and weekly routines are especially important to children with Asperger’s Syndrome.  It helps to give as much advance notice as possible if there is going to be a change or disruption in the schedule. A picture or word schedule may be help a child deal with difficult transitions.”

Sitting still for long periods of time may be stressful.  Parents can help by planning short breaks of walking around or talking one-to-one with the child.

Just because your child learns something in one situation, it doesn’t automatically mean that he or she will be able to apply the concept to new situations.

“When your situation reaches a point that things are going well, it doesn’t mean that your child is ‘cured’ or that ‘it’s time to take away support’.” Wubbenhorst said.  “Asperger’s syndrome is a lifelong condition.  With treatment, the disorder can stabilize. People with Asperger’s Syndrome can lead successful lives and enjoy meaningful relationships with friends and family.” 

ReDiscover and other community mental health agencies offer care that includes teaching families how to manage daily life with Asperger’s Syndrome, providing at-home support at the level it is needed, and working with individuals and their families to address problems that include finding ways to meet life’s challenges.

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When a child you care about has Asperger’s Syndrome

Parents are right when they say it’s normal for young children to need a little time to adapt to a new situation.   It’s also true that making friends can be harder for some kids than for others.  But what should you do when you realize that something is severely wrong? 

What if the child you love has nowhere near the same range of social skills as other children at his or her age level?

“Parents may first recognize the distinct symptoms of Asperger’s Syndrome when their child begins to interact in group settings with other children,” said Alan Flory, President and CEO of ReDiscover. 

Family members are often the first to suspect that something is essentially wrong, yet they may be uncertain what to do. Getting help early-on can positively impact the child and the entire family.”

What are the symptoms of Asperger’s Syndrome?

The main symptom of Asperger’s Syndrome is having severe difficulty with social situations. “Asperger’s Syndrome is similar in some ways to Autism, but it is also quite different,” said ReDiscover Psychiatrist Dr. John Wubbenhorst. “Asperger’s Syndrome is differentiated from autism by its lack of early language delay. 

“That is, the child with Asperger’s Syndrome may have some speech peculiarities, but he or she will usually begin talking at about the same age as most children,” he said.

“In fact, the onset of the disorder’s symptoms is preceded by apparently normal development for the first two years of life.”

Perhaps the normal early development is what makes Asperger’s Syndrome the most confusing for parents. Young children with Asperger’s Syndrome typically have normal to advanced language and intellectual development. Yet, the child’s ability to interact in social settings is not in line with the social ability of other kids the same age. What’s so different?  Children with Asperger’s Syndrome can have a great deal of difficulty interpreting nonverbal cues in conversations.

For example, they typically don’t understand the significance of a frown or a smile. They can have difficulty determining proper body space when interacting with others; and, if they stand uncomfortably close, they probably can not recognize the other person’s discomfort. They may be preoccupied with one or two interests to the exclusion of all other topics. They may misunderstand the semantics of speech, missing what a particular tone of voice might mean or interpreting metaphors or sarcasm very literally.  They can be vulnerable targets for teasing and bullying by other children. “It’s important to remember that a child with Asperger’s Syndrome experiences the world very differently,” Wubbenhorst said. “Many of the behavioral traits that seem unusual are due to neurological differences.  Diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome rests largely on the presence of social skills deficits and odd/repetitive behaviors and/or restricted interests. There may also be symptoms of anxiety, inattention and anger outbursts in these children.”  While symptoms may range from mild to severe, some signs of the disorder may include: – Distinct impairment in two-way social interaction – Severe difficulties with transitions – Struggles with change – Preference for sameness – Obsessive concerns about following set routines – Difficulty comprehending the facial expressions of others Help is available.

“Some schools offer social skills groups to help children learn adaptive social interactions,” Wubbenhorst said. ”Asperger’s Syndrome is often a modifiable disorder, meaning that with appropriate interventions gains can be realized in the functionally disabling symptoms of the disorder.”

Asperger’s syndrome is a lifelong condition.  With treatment, the disorder can stabilize. People with Asperger’s Syndrome can be taught ways to learn how to read others’ social cues.  

ReDiscover and other community mental health agencies offer care that includes teaching families how to manage daily life with Asperger’s Syndrome, providing at-home support at the level it is needed, and working with individuals and their families to address problems that include finding ways to meet life’s challenges. People with Asperger’s Syndrome can lead successful lives and enjoy meaningful relationships with friends and family.  Learning how to recognize and manage symptoms is the key to living with Asperger’s Syndrome or any mental illness.

Robin Blakely, a regular columnist for the Journal and Lee’s Summit resident, manages the speakers bureau for ReDiscover, a community mental health agency serving Lee’s Summit and all of Eastern Jackson County.