Asperger Syndrome and your Child

Living with a child that has Asperger syndrome isn’t easy. As they grow older, this neurological disorder that is on the autism spectrum brings challenges to parents. The disorder is most prevalent in boys, but girls are also diagnosed with it. Characteristics can, but don’t necessarily, consist of odd mannerisms and speech. Most all Asperger children have trouble with social interaction. Asperger syndrome, which is a pervasive developmental disorder, is high functioning autism, which means the child is often of superior intelligence, but has trouble dealing with life’s daily ups and downs. They may meltdown over small issues, yet stay calm and collected through bigger ones.

Children with Asperger syndrome often do not make eye contact when they are being spoken to and they cannot decipher non-verbal communication, such as body language and tone of voice. They have trouble making friends and interacting with their peers. They are often loners and though it breaks your heart to see them sit alone in a corner at their birthday party or other social functions, this is where they are most comfortable.

Asperger children are often obsessed with a specific interest, which can change as they grow. Though they love their obsession, they don’t often wish to share their excitement with others. Trains and other items with wheels are often the obsession of young children. They eat, drink and sleep with the items they are obsessed with and won’t allow others, whether children or adults, to touch these things.

Asperger children usually suffer from obvious language delay. They are very intelligent and have very extensive vocabularies. They are often referred to as “Little Professor.” They retain hoards of information and have very advanced knowledge for their age.