Understanding Asperger’s Syndrome

There are many health issues in our world and new ones being discovered everyday..   Many of which the general public may or may not have knowledge of or understand ,  even the general Medical field has questions regarding some of these disorders. The following is just one of many misunderstood health issues in the world today….and is presently being researched…

It is Asperger’s Syndrome, named for Dr. Hans Asperger, who was the first to describe this disorder in 1944…. However…it was not recognized as a unique disorder until years later. The symptoms of Asperger’s syndrome vary and can range from mild to severe. and is estimated to affect 6 out of every 1,000 children, and is more common in males than in females, and usually diagnosed in children between the ages of 2 and 6 years, however it is not uncommon for the disorder to go undiagnosed for years…sometimes later in adulthood… Eccentric or repetitive behaviors, with this condition may develop , with repetitive movements ,limited range of interests, and an intense, almost obsessive compulsion. Movements of people with Asperger’s syndrome may seem clumsy or awkward, and coordination may be hampered. Unusual rituals may  develop  , like getting dressed in a specific order. Many people with Asperger’s syndrome are exceptionally talented, such as in music or math.                                                                                                    If symptoms are present, an evaluation ,  by physical and medical exam is performed, although there are no specific/designated tests for Asperger’s syndrome, X-rays and blood tests may be performed , to determine if there is a physical disorder causing the symptoms. If no physical disorder is found, the patient may be referred to a specialist , such as a psychiatrist or psychologist, neurologist, or another health professional who is specially trained in developmental disorders to diagnose and treat Asperger’s syndrome.                                                                                                                                         People with Asperger’s syndrome are at risk for developing other conditions, schizophrenia, depression, ADHD and OCD ( obsessive  compulsive  disorder )however there are optional treatments available for these conditions..

Teachings are structured to meet the person’s unique needs, behavior modification supporting positive behavior and decreasing negative behavior Therapy designed to increase functional abilities, such as speech and physical, to increase functional abilities. There are no medications to cure Asperger’s syndrome , but medications may be used to treat specific symptoms, which may accompany the disorder such as depression, anxiety, hyperactivity, and obsessive-compulsive behavior. Due to the fact the level of intelligence which is many cases is higher than average, some people with Asperger’s syndrome are able to function very well, especially if diagnosis is made early in life.

Although it is not proven, this disorder may be inherited, and is passed from parent to child as it tends to run in families and cannot be prevented or cured.

Research is being done through investigating early brain development and functioning, social interactions in infants, rare genetic variants and mutations, associations between autism-related genes and physical traits, possible environmental risk factors and biomarkers, and a potential new medication treatment.