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.
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