Sample treatment plan for aspergers

Goals Of Therapy For Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Perhaps you are a spouse wondering if your partner has Asperger’s, a friend, acquaintance or colleague of someone you suspect has it, or perhaps you wonder if you might have it yourself. How would you know?

In this chapter, I will explain how the process of diagnosing someone for Asperger’s is usually carried out, both in general terms and the specific way I undertake a diagnosis. I will describe the types of information that is sought in an assessment for Asperger’s and how that information is collected. I will answer the question of how accurate a diagnosis is, the confidence one can have in a diagnosis of Asperger’s and I will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of having a diagnosis.

The Diagnostic Process

Diagnosing Asperger’s is a fairly easy process in principle. But in practice it is complicated and necessities a professional who understands thoroughly not just the characteristics of Asperger’s but how they are played out in real life. Reading about Asperger’s in a book or articles generally makes it seem that Asperger’s is a clear cut, well defined and easily identifiable condition. In truth, people with Asperger’s behave in many different ways and not always exactly how it is defined.

For example, someone with Asperger’s can be quite intelligent and have mastery over numerous facts, yet have much less comprehension emotions and how they are expressed. The person may be able to identify basic emotions, such as intense anger, sadness or happiness yet lack an understanding of more subtle expressions of emotions such as confusion, jealousy or worry.

How is it possible to tell for sure if someone doesn’t understand subtle emotions? They often don’t come up while sitting in an office speaking to a professional and because the person is not aware of their presence it’s unlikely that person would volunteer how hard it is to understand them. Relying on a spouse’s or friend’s report about how someone recognizes emotions is not always advisable since those reports are filtered through the spouse or friends’ own biases and their own ways of understanding emotions.

The only way to tell is to be around someone long enough to experience what they are like, to see how they respond in situations that test the features of Asperger’s and ask the right kinds of questions to clarify whether they have those features. There is test yet developed that can be used to make a diagnosis of Asperger’s, no instrument that measures Asperger’s nor any procedure that can objectively sort out those with Asperger’s from those without it. Brain scans, blood tests, X-rays and other physical examinations cannot tell whether anyone has Asperger’s.

The bottom line is that Asperger’s is a descriptive diagnosis. A person is diagnosed based on the signs and symptoms he or she has rather than the results of a specific laboratory or other type of test. Those signs and symptoms are often subtle and it takes someone with considerable experience to tell whether they are present and, if so, whether there is enough of a case to say confidently that the person has Asperger’s. It is all a matter of confidence, that is, with very few exceptions no one can say that someone else has Asperger’s only that one has a certain degree of certainty that a person does have Asperger’s.

Diagnosing Asperger’s

With this in mind, what is the actual process of finding out whether someone has Asperger’s?

Other professionals may take different steps but I have a clear-cut procedure that I go through when asked to assess Asperger’s. I first determine whether it makes reasonable sense to undertake an assessment of Asperger’s. The assessment process itself is time consuming and it can be costly. Why go through with it if there is no good reason to assume there might be some likelihood of finding the behaviors and signs of Asperger’s? After all, you wouldn’t go to the trouble of evaluating whether you have a broken foot if, in the first place, there is absolutely nothing wrong with your foot.

Screening Questionnaires:

Currently there are nine screening questionnaires that are used to identify adults who may have Asperger’s. Most require the respondent to indicate whether he or she agrees with a statement related to Asperger’s. 

Examples of actual statements are:

• I find it difficult to imagine what it would be like to be someone else.
• The phrase, “He wears his heart on his sleeve,” does not make sense to me.
• I miss my best friends or family when we are apart for a long time.
• It is difficult for me to understand how other people are feeling when we are talking.
• I feel very comfortable with dating or being in social situations with others.
• I find it easy to “read between the lines” when someone is talking to me.

Completing one or more of these questionnaires can identify abilities, inclinations and behavior that could be indicative of Asperger’s syndrome. The results might suggest that it makes sense to investigate further if enough criteria are present to indicate a diagnosis of Asperger’s.

The questionnaires and scales for adults are as follows, in alphabetical order:

• Adult Asperger Assessment (AAA) (include link, for each test below)
• Aspie Quiz (AQ)
• Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ)
• Empathy Quotient for Adults (EQA)
• Friendship and Relationship Quotient (FQ)
• Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale (RAADS)
• Social Stories Questionnaire (SSQ)
• Systematizing Quotient (SQ)
• The Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET)

These questionnaires indicate whether a person has characteristics that match those of people with Asperger’s but that, in and of itself, doesn’t prove someone has or doesn’t have Asperger’s. The person filling out the questionnaire may be responding to the questions with the intention, conscious or not, of demonstrating that they don’t have, or for that matter they do have, Asperger’s. Often people answer these questions based on what they know about Asperger’s, they’ve read or been told about it, or what they imagine it is, and what they are indicating in their answers is not a accurate reflection of the characteristics they actually have.

Again, screening questionnaires are designed to identify potential cases of Asperger’s syndrome but they are not a substitute for a thorough diagnostic assessment.

To do that, an experienced professional needs investigate two things: the person’s medical, developmental, social, family and academic history; and how the person responds to a face-to-face assessment of social reasoning, communication of emotions, language abilities, focused interests, and non-verbal social interaction.

Personal History

Diagnoses are most valid and accurate when they are based on multiple sources of information. One highly important source are any documents, including reports, evaluations, notices, or assessments, that speak to the person’s social, emotional, language, and physical growth. An example is previous medical reports documenting signs of early language delays and/or peculiarities, coordination problems, behavioral difficulties or unusual physical problems. School reports might indicate past social and emotional difficulties, along with academic tendencies, that could be relevant to any indications of Asperger’s syndrome. Tutoring reports, evaluations of group activities, personal diaries, family recordings and other such records often provide valuable insights about the likelihood of Asperger’s.

It is often the case that a person seeking an evaluation does not have any documentation, formal or informal, that is relevant to the assessment process. That is not an insurmountable problem. We work with what we have, and a diagnosis, either way, doesn’t depend upon any one piece of the assessment process. I have had many cases where I was able to conclude with confidence whether the person had Asperger’s without seeing one single piece of written evidence about that person’s past. It helps when that evidence is available but it is not critical.

Clinical Interview

Sitting down and talking to someone makes the difference between an assessment of Asperger’s that has a high degree of confidence and one that is questionable. When I assess someone for Asperger’s I ask to meet face-to-face for three meetings.

The first meeting covers general facts about the person, particular those relating to his or her present life. I want to find out about the person’s significant relationships, whether they are friends, work colleagues, spouse or partner, children or anyone else with whom the person interacts regularly. I am interested in how the person gets along at work and his or her work performance, how the person manages daily living, what initiative the person takes in planning and achieving life goals, and how satisfied the person is with his or her life. These questions help me assess whether the person’s attitudes towards life, conduct in relationships, and general success in achieving life goals reveal any of the characteristics that typically are found in people with Asperger’s.

The second meeting focuses on the person’s background, particularly information about the person’s early family life; previous school experiences; past friendships, employment and intimate relationships; childhood emotional development and functioning, and significant interests throughout the person’s life. Because Asperger’s is a condition that exists at or before birth, clues about the presence of Asperger’s are found in the history of the person’s childhood. Hence a thorough understanding of early social, emotional, family, academic and behavioral experiences are essential to the diagnostic process.

The third and final meeting is a time to clarify questions that were not completely answered in the previous meetings, gather additional information and raise additional questions that have emerged from the information collected so far. When everything has been addressed to the extent allowed in this timeframe, the final part of the clinical interview is the presentation of my findings.

Presenting these findings is a multi-step process. First, I explain that certain characteristics are central to Asperger’s syndrome. If those characteristics are not present in the person then he or she doesn’t have Asperger’s and if they are present a diagnosis of Asperger’s is much more viable.

There are also characteristics that are related to Asperger’s but are also shared by other conditions. An example of this is difficulty noticing whether people are bored or not listening in conversations. Lots of people don’t pay much attention to whether people are listening to them, but that doesn’t mean they have Asperger’s. On the other hand, in combination with other signs of Asperger’s, not noticing how people respond in conversations, could be a significant confirmation of an Asperger’s diagnosis.

To diagnosis and adult with Asperger’s requires that the person have:

• Persistent difficulty in communicating with, and relating to, other people. Their conversations have to be generally one-sided. There has to be reduced sharing of interests and a lack of emotional give-and-take. Superficial social contact, niceties, passing time with others are of little interest. Little or too much detail is included in conversation, and there is difficulty in recognizing when the listener is interested or bored.
• Poor nonverbal communication, which translates into poor eye contact, unusual body language, inappropriate gestures and facial expressions.
• Difficulty developing, maintaining and understanding relationships.
• Narrow, repetitive behaviors and interests. Examples of these are insisting on inflexible routines, eating the same foods daily, brushing teeth the same way, following the same route every day, repeatedly rejecting changes in one’s life style, being either very reactive or hardly reactive at all to changes in one’s environment like indifference to temperature changes, hypersensitivity to sounds, fascination with lights or movement.
• Signs of these characteristics as early as 12-24 months of age, although the difficulties with social communication and relationships typically become apparent later in childhood.
• Indications that these characteristics are causing significant problems in relationships, work or other important areas of the person’s life.
• Clear evidence that these characteristics are not caused by low intelligence or broad, across-the-board delays in overall development.

What happens if someone has some of these difficulties but not all? Do they qualify for a diagnosis of Asperger’s, or not?

The answer lies in how much these characteristics affect the person’s social, occupational or other important areas of functioning. If, for example, the core characteristics of Asperger’s lead a person to speak in few sentences, interact with people only around very narrow, special interests and communicate in odd, nonverbal ways, we can say that these are indicators that a diagnosis of Asperger’s is correct.

If, on the other hand, the person engages in limited back-and-forth communication, attempts to make friends in odd and typically unsuccessful ways, and is not especially interested in reaching out to others, a diagnosis of Asperger’s could be considered but not assured.

A diagnosis is most assured when the signs of Asperger’s are present in the person all the time, they have an obvious effect on the person’s ability to be successful in life, and don’t vary much. Additionally, when the information used to make a diagnosis comes from multiple sources, like family history, an expert’s observations, school, medical and other reports, questionnaires and standardized test instruments the diagnosis is likely to be more accurate and reliable.

Advantages and Disadvantages of an Asperger’s Diagnosis

The advantages of having an accurate, reliable diagnosis of Asperger’s are many. It can eliminate the worry that a person is severely mentally ill. It can support the idea that the person has genuine difficulties arising from a real, legitimate condition. Other people, once they are aware that the person has Asperger’s are often able to be more accepting and supportive. A new, and more accurate, understanding of the person can lead to appreciation and respect for what the person is coping with.

Knowing someone has Asperger’s opens up avenues to resources for help as well as access to programs to improve social inclusion and emotional management. Acceptance by friends and family members is more likely. An acceptable explanation to other people about the person’s behavior is now available leading to the possibility of reconciliation with people who have had problems with the person’s behavior.

In the workplace and in educational settings, a diagnosis of Asperger’s can provide access to helpful resources and support that might otherwise not have been available. Employers are more likely to understand the ability and needs of an employee should that employee make the diagnosis known. Accommodations can be requested and a rationale can be provided based on a known diagnosis.

Having the diagnosis is a relief for many people. It provides a means of understanding why someone feels and thinks differently than others. It can be exciting to consider how one’s life can change for the better knowing what one is dealing with. There can be a new sense of personal validation and optimism, of not being defective, weird or crazy. With the knowledge that one has Asperger’s, joining a support group, locally or through the Internet can provide a sense of belonging to a distinct and valued culture and enable the person to consult members of the group for advice and support.

Acceptance of the diagnosis can be an important stage in the development of successful adult intimate relationships. It also enables therapists, counselors and other professionals to provide the correct treatment options should the person seek assistance.

Liane Holliday Willey is an educator, author and speaker. She was diagnosis with Asperger’s syndrome in 1999. In her 2001 book, “Asperger’s Syndrome in the Family: Redefining Normal in the Family, she wrote the following self-affirmation pledge for those with Asperger’s syndrome.

– I am not defective. I am different.– I will not sacrifice myself-worth for peer acceptance.– I am a good and interesting person.– I will take pride in myself.– I am capable of getting along with society.– I will ask for help when I need it.– I am a person who is worthy of others’ respect and acceptance.– I will find a career interest that is well suited to my abilities and interests.– I will be patient with those who need time to understand me.– I am never going to give up on myself.– I will accept myself for who I am.(Willey 2001. p. 164)

Are there disadvantages to a diagnosis of Asperger’s? Yes, but the list is shorter than the list of advantages.

Some people receive a diagnosis of Asperger’s with discouragement and disapproval, believing they necessarily will be severely limited in how they can lead their lives. No longer will they be able to hope to have a satisfying, intimate relationship. Instead, their future will be filled with loneliness and alienation from others with no expectation of improvement. This, of course, is an unrealistic and exaggerated depiction of what living with Asperger’s is like.

Of course, it is possible that people in someone’s life will react to the diagnosis of Asperger’s by alienating themselves from that person. Stigmatizing and disapproval, based on the knowledge that a person has Asperger’s is still prevalent in our society. Damage to one’s self-esteem as a result of disapproval, ridicule, discrimination and rejection is possible when knowledge of an Asperger’s diagnosis is disseminated.

Job discrimination is a realistic possibility in the event that an applicant reveals an Asperger’s diagnosis. While it is not legally acceptable to do so, we know that silent discrimination happens, hiring decisions are not always made public and competition can leave someone with a different profile out of the picture.

Similarly, having a diagnosis of Asperger’s may lead others to assume the person will never be able to be as successful in life as neurotypical people. It is commonly assumed that Asperger’s makes someone too difficult to be around, unable to get along with people, too narrowly focused on their own interests, and too stubborn, self-absorbed and lacking in empathy to be a contributing member of society, a view that is narrow in its own right and sadly mistaken in many cases. Nevertheless, attitudes like this can arise when a diagnosis of Asperger’s is made public.

Dual Diagnoses

Often, people tell me when we meet to discuss an Asperger’s evaluation that the symptoms of Asperger’s they have seen, usually online, match what they notice in themselves. Just as often other people, in researching Asperger’s symptoms, believe the person coming to see me has those very characteristics and therefore must have Asperger’s.

The problem with this is that several other conditions share many of the same symptoms with Asperger’s. Just knowing how the person behaves, thinks and feels does not, in and of itself, tell you whether he or she has Asperger’s. It very well might be that some other condition is the real problem or, more likely, two or more conditions are overlapping. In this case, it is more accurate to say the person has co-existing conditions rather than it being a straightforward matter of Asperger’s.

Here is a description of the psychiatric conditions most frequently associated with Aspergers’:

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

People with ADHD typically have difficulty paying attention to what’s going on around them, they are easily distracted, they tend to do things without thinking about the results, they are often forgetful, have trouble finishing what they intended to do, are disorganized, jump from one activity to another, are restless and have poor social skills.

Many of these symptoms overlap with those of Asperger’s. Research has shown growing evidence for a connection between Asperger’s and ADHD. Genetic studies suggest the two disorders share genetic risk factors, and studies of the incidence and distribution of both conditions confirm that many people with Asperger’s have symptoms of ADHD and vice versa. Brain imaging and studies of the brain structure show similarities between the two disorders.

Having said that, there are important differences between the two. People with ADHD often try to do multiple activities at the same time. They get distracted easily and jump from one interest or activity to another. Focusing on one thing for a long time is hard for them. On the other hand, people with Asperger’s tend to focus on only one activity at a time, and they focus on that activity intensely with little regard for anything else going on around them. They are hyper-focused rather than unfocused.

There is a similar difference with respect to impulsivity. People with ADHD will do things without considering the outcome of their actions. They act immediately and have trouble waiting. They interrupt, blurt out comments and seem unable to restrain themselves.

People with Asperger’s think through their actions more carefully. They may interrupt and say things without regard for whatever else is going on but it is because they don’t understand how conversations are carried out rather than not being able to restrain themselves.

There is a big difference in how adults with ADHD use language compared to adults with Asperger’s. They do not tend to have specific weaknesses in their understanding and use of language. They readily understand when a statement such as, “it’s raining cats and dogs” is being used as a figure of speak and not as a literal statement. They also speak with a normal tone of voice and inflection.

In contrast, adults with Asperger’s tend not to understand non-literal language, slang or implied meanings. They may talk a lot and have more one-sided conversations as do adults with ADHD but they do so because lacking an understanding of how the person they are talking to is grasping what they are saying they are, in effect, talking to themselves.

Difficulty interpreting non-verbal communication and subtle aspects of how people relate to each other is characteristic of adults with Asperger’s. They confuse behaviors that may be appropriate in one setting from those that are appropriate in another, so that they often act in appropriate for the situation they are in. They find it hard to interpret the meanings of facial expressions and body posture, and they have particular difficulty understanding how people express their emotions.

Adults with ADHD, on the other hand, understand social situations more accurately and they engage much easier in social situations even though they are easily distracted and often not observant of what’s going on around them. They can consider what other people are thinking much easier than adults with Asperger’s and they participate in the give-and-take of social interactions more readily.

Adults with ADHD tend to express their feelings directly and fairly clearly whereas adults with Asperger’s do not show a wide range of emotions. When they do communicate their feelings they are often out of synch with the situation that generated the feeling.

Adults with ADHD tend to process sensory input in a typical manner. They may have preferences for how they handle sensory input like music, touch, sounds, and visual sensations but generally the way they handle these situations is much like other adults.

In contrast, adults with Asperger’s have more specific preferences about the kind of sensations they like and dislike. They may be overly sensitive to one kind of sensation and avoid that persistently. Or they may prefer a certain type of sensation and, a certain type of music, for example, and seek it over and over. Overall, sounds, temperature differences, visual images and tastes more easily overwhelm adults with Asperger’s than adults with ADHD.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders

The core features of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are frequent and persistent thoughts, impulses or images that are experienced as unwelcomed and uninvited. It occurs to the person that these intrusive thoughts are the produce of his or her own mind but they can’t be stopped. Along with these thoughts are repetitive behaviors or mental acts that the person feels driven to perform in order to reduce stress or to prevent something bad from happening.

Some people spend hours washing themselves or cleaning their surroundings in order to reduce their fear that germs, dirt or chemicals will infect them. Others repeat behaviors or say names or phrases over and over hoping to guard against some unknown harm. To reduce the fear of harming oneself or others by, for example, forgetting to lock the door or turn off the gas stove, some people develop checking rituals. Still others silently pray or say phrases to reduce anxiety or prevent a dreaded future event while others will put objects in a certain order or arrange things perfects in order to reduce discomfort.

These behaviors, to repeat the same action over and over, are similar to the repetitive routines associated with Asperger’s. Individuals with both conditions engage in repetitive behaviors and resist the thought of changing them. The difference is that people with Asperger’s do not view these behaviors are unwelcomed. Indeed, they are usually enjoyed. In addition, whereas Asperger’s occurs early in the person’s life, OCD develops later in life. People with OCD have better social skills, empathy and social give and take than those with Asperger’s.

Social Anxiety Disorder

Social Anxiety Disorder, also called social phobia, occurs when a person has a fear of social situations that is excessive and unreasonable. The dominate fear associated with social situations is of being closely watched, judged and criticized by others. The person is afraid that he or she will make mistakes, look bad and be embarrassed or humiliated in front of others. This can reach a point where social situations are avoided completely.

Asperger’s and Social Anxiety Disorder share the common element of discomfort in social situations. Typically, along with this discomfort is lack of eye contact and difficulty communicating effectively.

The difference between these two conditions is that people with Social Anxiety Disorder lack self-confidence and expect rejection if and when they engage with others. Adults with Asperger’s, on the other hand, don’t necessarily lack self-confidence or are afraid of being rejected, they are simply not able to pick up on social cues. They don’t know how to act appropriately in social situations and thus tend to avoid them. In addition, Social Anxiety Disorder may be present in children but more commonly it develops in adolescence and adulthood whereas Asperger’s can be traced back to infancy.

Schizoid Personality Disorder

People with Schizoid Personality Disorder (SPD) avoid social relationships and prefer to spend time alone. They have a very restricted range of emotions, especially when communicating with others and appear to lack a desire for intimacy. Their lives seem directionless and they appear to drift along in life. They have few friends, date infrequently if at all, and often have trouble in work settings where involvement with other people is necessary. They are the type of person that is others think of as the typical “loner.”

A noticeable characteristic of someone with SPD is their difficulty expressing anger, even when they are directly provoked. They tend to react passively to difficult circumstances, as if they are directionless and are drifting along in life. They are withdrawn because it makes life easier. They don’t gain a great deal of happiness from getting close to people. Often this gives others the impression that they lack emotion.

While this may strike some as similar to Asperger’s people with SPD can interact with others normally, if they want to, and can get along with people. They don’t have the strong preference for logical patterns in things and people, an inability to read facial expressions or “blindness” to what is going on in other people’s minds that characterizes Asperger’s.

In addition, people with SPD typically do not show these features until late adolescence or adulthood. The characteristics of Asperger’s must be noticeable in infancy or early childhood to receive the diagnosis of Asperger’s.

Most importantly, Asperger’s is a form of autism whereas people with SPD have a “neurotypical” brain and have developed into a personality of extreme introversion and emotional detachment.

Antisocial Personality Disorder

Individuals with Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD) disregard and violate the rights of others. They don’t conform to social norms with respect to lawful behavior, such as destroying property, stealing, harassing others, and cheating. They are frequently deceitful and manipulative so as to obtain money, sex, power of some other form of personal profit or pleasure. They tend to be irritable and aggressive and to get into physical fights or commit acts of physical assault (including spousal or child beating).

They are consistently and extremely irresponsible financially, in their employment, and with regard to their own safety and the safety of others. They show little remorse for the consequence of their actions and tend to be indifferent to the hurt they have caused others. Instead, they blame victims of their aggression, irresponsibility and exploitation. They frequently lack empathy and tend to be callous, cynical and contemptuous of the feelings, rights and suffering of others.

They often have an inflated and arrogant view of themselves, and are described as excessively opinionated and cocky. They can appear charming and talk with superficial ease, attempting to impress others and appear experts on numerous topics.

There may appear to be some overlap between Asperger’s and APD, but the resemblance is superficial. Individuals with Asperger’s have trouble understanding how people operate but they do respect others, whereas people with APD have no regard for people. Individuals with Asperger’s are rarely deceitful, in fact, they are often considered excessively, even naively honest, quite unlike those with APD who are predictably deceitful and unremorseful, and unlike people with Asperger’s they are incapable of feeling genuine love. Asperger’s people do show and feel remorse whereas people with APD do not.

Bipolar Disorder

People with Bipolar Disorder (BD) have distinct ups and downs in their mood. At one point, they will have extreme energy, be unusually happy, energetic, talkative, feel wonderful about themselves and “on top of the world, have little need for sleep, be drawn to unimportant or irrelevant activities, and generally act unlike themselves. When they are down, they feel sad, empty, hopeless, worthless and inappropriately guilty. They have little interest in their usual activities, have little appetite, sleep more than usual, are slowed down, have difficulty concentrating and sometimes have suicidal thoughts.

When someone with Bipolar Disorder is in a manic state or depressed they may not interact socially as they might if they were feeling normal, they might be withdrawn, lack much emotional response to situations in their life and lose interest in relationships but the changes in their emotional condition is much different than people with Asperger’s.

Someone with Asperger’s is socially awkward, cannot read or use body language or facial expressions well, have difficulty making eye contact, cannot understand sarcasm and jokes, tend to take things literally, may display socially inappropriate behavior without realizing it, have obsessive interests and may have problems with sensory issues.

While they may feel down at times or at other times be unusually happy, their concerns have much less to do with emotional ups and downs.

Options, What Works, What Doesn't & What to Try

Asperger’s syndrome is sometimes described as high-functioning autism. It’s now diagnosed under the umbrella of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

ASD is a group of neurodevelopmental conditions that affect the way a person communicates and behaves.

Continue reading to learn about treatment for Asperger’s syndrome and ASD.

Receiving an early diagnosis for ASD is important so that treatment can begin as early as possible. The type of symptoms and their severity can vary from child to child.

Symptoms are grouped into two categories: issues with social interaction and behavioral patterns. People with Asperger’s generally have strong verbal and intellectual skills compared to other types of autism.

Some examples of issues with interaction or communication can include things like:

• not maintaining or making eye contact
• having trouble beginning or continuing a conversation
• having difficulty expressing feelings or emotions or not recognizing the feelings of others

Behavioral patterns that may be observed in people with ASD can include:

• having specific routines and becoming agitated if they’re disrupted
• having very high or very low reactivity to sensory stimulation
• fixating on an activity or thing with an abnormal amount of intensity

Treatment often focuses on teaching children how to better interact with others. This can promote positive behaviors while discouraging negative behaviors.

Treatment for ASD isn’t just focused on behavior therapies, though. There are a variety of other possible treatments, including medications and dietary changes.

Initial screening for ASD is performed at your child’s regular check-ups. Should the doctor notice any possible developmental problems, a more comprehensive screening is recommended.

Your child’s primary care doctor can also perform a more comprehensive screen. However, they may also refer you to a specialist, such as a child psychologist, child neurologist, or developmental pediatrician.

Once a child has been diagnosed with ASD, a variety of specialists may be included in their treatment team. Examples of professionals who may be involved in treatment of ASD include:

• primary care doctors or pediatricians
• developmental pediatricians
• psychologists or psychiatrists
• neurologists
• speech or language therapists
• physical therapists
• occupational therapists
• social workers or teachers

The overall goal of treatment is to increase a person with ASD’s ability to function.

Even though Asperger’s is a milder form of autism, children can greatly benefit from early treatment intervention. Treatment can provide them with important social and behavioral tools that they can use for the rest of their lives.

A variety of different treatments are available for ASD, which includes Asperger’s. They can include:

• psychological therapy
• medications
• speech and language therapy
• art and music therapy
• dietary changes
• alternative treatment options

We’ll talk about all of these types of treatment in more detail below.

A variety of psychological therapies can be used to treat Asperger’s. Some examples include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy, which can help to address conditions like anxiety, depression, and other psychological challenges facing someone with Asperger’s.
• Social skills training, which can help someone with Asperger’s understand social and conversation cues and help them to interact with others more effectively.
• Physical or occupational therapy, which can help to improve motor skills in people with Asperger’s that have problems with coordination.
• Family therapy, which can help parents or family members of someone with Asperger’s learn how to interact with them in a positive way that promotes things like good social and living skills.

A type of therapy called applied behavior analysis (ABA) may also be used. ABA can help to improve a variety of skills by encouraging positive behaviors while discouraging negative behaviors.

There are a variety of different types of ABA therapy available, depending on age and skills targeted for improvement. ABA may be helpful for children with Asperger’s, particularly for improvement of social and communication skills.

There are no approved medications for the treatment of Asperger’s or ASD. However, various medications may be prescribed. This is because several conditions may occur together with Asperger’s. Some examples include:

• anxiety disorders, such as social anxiety and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), which are commonly treated with antidepressant medications called SSRIs or with anti-anxiety medications
• depression, which can be treated with various types of antidepressant medication
• attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which may be treated with drugs such as methylphenidate
• obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which can be treated with medications like SSRIs
• bipolar disorder, which can be treated with a variety of medications including mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and antidepressants
• sleep problems, which may be treated with melatonin

People with Asperger’s often have well-developed language skills. However, they may still benefit from speech and language therapy.

This type of therapy may help improve their conversational tone, which may be unusual or monotone. Additionally, it can also help people with Asperger’s to understand and respond to things like figures of speech or implied meaning.

Art and music therapy helps address various cognitive, social, or emotional needs. The creative process of art or music may help to improve communication or develop social skills. For example, making music with another person fosters behaviors like eye contact, taking turns, and engagement with another person.

There are limited studies into how these therapies can benefit people with Asperger’s specifically. One case study from 2008 found that seven months of art therapy helped an adolescent girl with Asperger’s communicate better and become more comfortable with social interactions.

A 2014 review of 10 studies found that music therapy conducted by a trained professional may help to improve communication, social skills, and recognition of feelings or emotions in children with ASD. The review didn’t address Asperger’s specifically, although some of the studies reviewed included children with Asperger’s.

More research is needed to determine if the potential benefits are significant or long-lasting.

Some people use dietary treatments for ASD. For example, some people with ASD may be on a gluten-free or casein-free diet. Other common supplements used by people with ASD include omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin B12.

There’s little scientific support for dietary treatments for ASD, and they may carry risks of nutritional deficiencies. Supplements, particularly when given to children, have their own set of risks.

One 2017 review found little evidence to support the use of specialized diets or nutritional supplements in treating ASD. Another 2018 review found little evidence to support the use of gluten-free or casein-free diets as beneficial for ASD.

It should be noted that studies haven’t been performed to assess a dietary approach on Asperger’s specifically.

Also, it’s important to remember that a dislike of certain foods or eating a limited range of foods may be a symptom of ASD. This can make diet modification difficult. Additionally, a dietary approach that appears to work for one person may not work as well in another person.

You can work with your child’s doctor and a nutrition specialist to ensure that your child is eating a healthy, well-balanced diet.

There are additional alternative treatments that have been used to treat ASD. According to one recent study, 46.8 percent of surveyed adult people with Asperger’s had tried some sort of alternative therapy during their lifetime.

However, it’s important to remember that so far there’s little research into the effectiveness of many alternative treatments. Most haven’t examined Asperger’s directly. The existing studies often involve a small number of participants as well as varied study parameters.

Every individual with ASD is different. Some alternative treatments may seem to be effective for one person, but not for another.

Here are some possible alternative treatments as well as some you should avoid.

Herbal remedies

Various herbal or traditional remedies have been used to treat ASD. These can include things like Ginkgo biloba supplements or capsules containing a variety of herbal components.

A recent review of 10 studies of herbal medicine and ASD concluded that the evidence was promising but was inconclusive overall.

Herbal supplements are less regulated by the FDA than drug products. There is a risk that supplements may contain ingredients not listed on the package, or different amounts of certain ingredients that may not be safe.

It’s especially important to consider these risks when giving supplements to children. Speak with your doctor before giving any herbal remedies to your child.

Massage therapy

Massage therapy may help to reduce anxiety levels or sensory-related symptoms. One review found that massage generally improved symptoms in the short-term when compared to no massage.

However, based on the quality of the studies reviewed, the investigators rate the strength of the evidence as low.

It’s also important to remember that some people with ASD may not be comfortable with being touched. Massage therapy would not be recommended for these people.

Acupuncture

Some people believe that acupuncture may help to relieve symptoms of ASD, although the mechanism through which it does so is still unknown.

A recent review of 17 studies found that acupuncture may help to improve symptoms of ASD. The authors encourage additional, more rigorous studies to confirm this.

Neurofeedback

Neurofeedback therapy uses electrical sensors to give people information about brain activity. The idea is that upon learning this information, a person may gain more control over this function.

An older study looked at the use of neurofeedback in people with Asperger’s and found that an improvement was observed for symptoms as well as intellectual function.

Neurofeedback has shown more promise in treating ADHD, which can coexist along with ASD. There is not enough research to support its use in treating ASD itself.

Animal therapy

This treatment involves the use of animals to provide interaction and companionship. Some examples include horseback riding or interacting with more common pet animals such as dogs or guinea pigs.

A limited amount of research has been done into the effectiveness of animal therapy. However, some small studies have reported an improvement in social function after animal therapy.

Potentially harmful treatments

Some alternative treatments may do more harm than good. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), the following treatments may be harmful:

• Hyperbaric oxygen, a treatment that involves providing oxygen within a pressurized container. There’s currently no evidence that this treatment improves symptoms, and adverse effects like ear trauma can occur.
• Chelation, where medications are used to remove metals such as mercury from the body. There’s currently no evidence of a link between mercury and ASD. This treatment can also have serious side effects such as potentially fatal organ damage.
• Secretin, a gastrointestinal hormone that’s given intravenously. There’s currently no evidence that single or multiple doses of this treatment are effective.
• Antifungal agents, which are given to deter Candida overgrowth that’s believed by some to make ASD symptoms worse. Although Candida species and anti-Candida antibodies have been identified from people with ASD, there’s no evidence of the efficacy of antifungal treatments.

Asperger’s is a milder form of autism. It’s now included in the umbrella diagnosis of ASD. There are a large number of treatments people try for Asperger’s.

Many of the treatments that are recommended for Asperger’s involve fostering improved behavioral, social, and communication skills. However, medications, speech therapy, and occupational therapy may also be used.

It’s important to remember that not all treatments for Asperger’s are supported by scientific evidence. Additionally, what may seem to be effective for one individual may not be effective for another. You should work closely with your doctor to develop a treatment plan for Asperger’s.

Treatments for Asperger's Syndrome

Treatments for Asperger's Syndrome

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People with Asperger's Syndrome have no visible intellectual or speech impairments, but they have difficulty communicating and interacting with other people. Current treatments for Asperger's Syndrome involve medication and behavioral therapy.

Asperger's syndrome in adults and children is a form of autism. But at the same time, it is called "latent dysfunction", since it is impossible to determine the disease only by appearance. People with this dysfunction typically have difficulty in three social areas: interaction, imagination, and communication.

A person diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome constantly experiences difficulties with social communication: he does not distinguish between gestures, facial expressions and tone of voice, it is difficult for him to choose a topic for conversation, very often he uses complex words and phrases in his speech, which he himself does not understand. understands and also finds it difficult to understand sarcasm, jokes and anecdotes. Asperger's Syndrome in children is accompanied by the presence of obligatory rituals, because of which they develop sensitivity to sudden changes. Therefore, they need to be warned in advance about all planned changes in order to prevent emotional and behavioral disorders.

Many people with this disorder would like to be social but find it very difficult to interact with other people. Namely, the symptoms of Asperger's syndrome can be isolation, indifference and indifference to other people, lack of understanding of social norms, difficulty maintaining friendly relations. Having a rich imagination and having a penchant for creativity, such people may have no social imagination at all. This usually manifests itself in difficulties with understanding the points of view of other people, interpreting their thoughts and feelings, the inability to imagine alternative ways out of the current situation. In connection with all the above signs of this mental disorder, it can be said that autism and Asperger's syndrome have similar symptoms. Moreover, experts consider this disease as autism without cognitive and language abnormalities.

Treatment is designed to relieve the symptoms of Asparger's syndrome and to teach the child or adult language and communication skills. At the same time, treatment should be individualized and carried out comprehensively with the help of specialists from various medical fields. Drug treatment of Asperger's syndrome involves the use of psychotropic drugs, antipsychotics, seizure control agents, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Ideally, drug treatment should be accompanied by non-drug therapy designed to correct the main symptoms of the disease. The therapy program may include social skills training, exercise therapy, speech therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy

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Adults with Asperger's Syndrome Features

Asperger's Syndrome is a disorder that is mainly characterized by three symptoms. This also includes problems with interpersonal relationships, interacting with people, and poor social imagination.

It is recognized that this disease develops exclusively in childhood and that this person will eventually be "destroyed". This idea is completely wrong. After you have childhood, your symptoms will continue throughout your life. However, an adult "Asperger's" can mimic society well. Besides, you cannot doubt that there are people around you.

General notes

This condition is usually diagnosed between the ages of 4 and 11 years. However, this structure is not decisive. I often know my diagnosis as an adult, but nowadays it's harder to recognize than being a child.

A girl found out about her problems while in college, despite her clear signs from her childhood. I have not been able to communicate with other children since I was young, and I told my mother that I have a special inner world, and I was afraid of losing it. His specialty was an attachment to the little things that could capture all the colors, sounds, smells and sensations of the world around her. She was afraid to lose it and afraid to see everything grey.

University entered by correspondence. At the same time, I studied the language while working. The new environment and the number of people could cause the condition. Gradually, waves of anger and frustration began to rush. I was able to deal with it before, but now I can't help it. In addition, my friends pointed out the strangeness of her behavior, such as the lack of basic sociality, lack of a sense of humor, inadequate response to a certain situation, and clumsiness.。

After all, I had a specialist. He was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome.

Asperger adults are very mysterious people. They realized that they are completely different. No one will take exactly the same action.

ASP people claim that their condition is not pathological, but a variant of the norm. These are just people with a different worldview. Many people did not do this if they had the opportunity to cure a disability. The result of the diagnosis takes up a large part of a person's personality, and without it you will not know what it was.

While they have some difficulties in their lives, they have the joy of ordinary people. Their special worldview has not only negative aspects, but also positive aspects. And by receiving this award, people can play an active role in society and reach a certain height.

The story of Stephen Shore, professor at Boston University, member of the US Autism Association and autobiographical essay, autobiographical essay with picture. Until he was four years old, he was diagnosed with an atypical development with profound autistic characteristics. Parents were asked to enter the boy in a vocational school on the basis of the dormitory, but did not enter.

Stephen currently has a PhD in Special Support. Helping to open the hearts of people with autism and have a lot of involvement with children. We give lectures and lectures.

Many psychotherapists say that in connection with irregular patients, their goal is not to eradicate the disease, but to clarify the symptoms that are a source of stress for clients and inhibit normal life.。 Professionals also find ways to overcome them.

Asperger's syndrome and autism

As classified as an autism spectrum disorder. The symptoms are very similar and can be compared to high-grade autism.

Similarities with autism in the way of the world. Ordinary people call the noisy minority Asperger's and claim they won't see the world with their own eyes. In difficult situations, ASPE can also cause tantrums, such as autistic people. Care, ruthless, spending time in the same position for a long time, shaking monotonously, looking at some point.

Both diagnoses struggle to communicate with people and meet their eyes.

What is different from autism is that the intellect is fully maintained and sometimes it has an intellect that is beyond development. Audio will form at a timely and earlier stage, unlike autistic people. These characteristics are indicators in differential diagnosis. Autism is only diagnosed if language is delayed. Of course, SA changes the background of the sound, such as intonation, tone, pitch, and tone. Many Aspergers are very talkative.

Autism and Asperger's are often difficult to diagnose because they share similar symptoms. Many scientists don't think they need to distinguish between the two.

This disease is believed to be common in men. However, this trend may be related to the problem of diagnosis.

Female Aspergers are more difficult to recognize than male Aspergers. This is because girls can adapt to society and defend social norms. He tends to roll as a child and learn the rules of action. Their way of talking is not as heavy as people, not a term, a compound word, or a solid structure.

Interactions with people

Adult Asperger's syndrome has similar symptoms as in childhood. First, Asperger's differs from healthy people in action and interpersonal communication.

Asperger's childhood makes it very difficult to communicate with other children. Adults can adapt to society and achieve significant success through their intelligence. But the strangeness of their actions continues.

This feature is that there is a problem with the so-called spiritual theory. People with this disability cannot read the social cues that ordinary people intuitively recognize. This is characteristic of communication, such as facial expressions, gestures, intonation of voice, signal, and irony.

On the other hand, such people do not know how to open their hearts to others and communicate their feelings. Often the dialogue can misunderstand their unreceived signals.

In addition, people like "I do not see the hearts of others." You cannot understand the emotions and intentions of others. In a sense, this specialty can be in some way. It is difficult to see through lies or judge others correctly. As a result, it is often the victim of scammers and criminals because it is prey for scammers and criminals.

Asperger's is more likely to be offered. It can be difficult to understand that someone is trying to manipulate or harm.

Because people with Asperger's have difficulty recognizing the emotions of others, they are often accused of lacking empathy (the ability to feel compassion and empathy). It becomes a big social problem and it becomes difficult to build friendships with people.

One girl with the syndrome said that it became easier for her to communicate with people when some rules of communication were explained to her. When I met an acquaintance, I was told to greet him, ask how he was doing, and greet him with a smile and a nod, even if it was just a formal gesture. She herself says that these unspoken rules of communication seemed strange and surprising to her.

Due to the lack of intuition in communication, Asps can seem rude and cold-blooded to people. For example, you can skip a speech addressed to you. Let's go back. You can talk endlessly about things that interest you without involving others. Or maybe they don't care if others are listening or interested in the topic.

Invite a guest, and when you arrive, you can be left in a room with the door open and the threshold raised.

People with Asperger's syndrome have a condition called prosopagnosia (facial agnosia). It is characterized by a reduced ability to remember and recognize people's faces. In other words, get to know your friends. As a rule, characteristic signs are details in clothing, voice and body language. It's like standing at a distance from someone you know and not knowing their facial features, but you know who they are by their general appearance.

People with Asperger's may not recognize their relatives or themselves in photographs.

The difficulties of psychology in Asperger's syndrome can be characterized as follows.

• Failure to predict and explain the behavior of those with whom we interact.
• You cannot anticipate or understand your emotions and feelings.
• Those who have little understanding of other people's intentions
• Difficulty understanding other people's point of view.
• It is difficult to understand the unwritten rules in communication.
• Failure to understand how their actions affect others.
• I can't tell truth from lies.

Although the characteristics are similar, they appear more or less in every aspirant. With a high intellect and excellent abilities in various fields, it seems that he can handle any occupation. But what keeps many of the communication professions off the list is the problem of communicating with others.

At the same time, a low ability to form close interpersonal relationships does not mean that you cannot have relationships or families.

Feelings without hiding

There is no doubt that emotional immaturity has a detrimental effect on the lives of people with Asperger's syndrome. However, positive traits are revealed that a sensual person hides or modifies depending on the situation.

For example, we are talking about such qualities as honesty. We can't all be 100% honest. We may feel embarrassed and embarrassed about telling the whole truth that we see.

For those who have aspirations, there are no such barriers. They shamelessly say whatever comes to mind without hiding, softening or embellishing the details. Due to their peculiarity, they cannot simply lie, therefore it is very difficult to manipulate or deceive them for their obvious benefit.

Such extreme honesty may seem rude, narrow-minded, or unfriendly to others. But upon closer examination, it turns out that this is due to the firmness and lack of maneuverability of thought.

Such truth-tellers do not boast and do not boast. Also, without envying or slandering the achievements of others, we rejoice sincerely and from the bottom of our hearts. Flattery and praise are perceived neutrally, and insults and criticism do not cause emotional reactions.

Asperger's has no social boundaries. It's easy to break the rules without worrying about what others think. They work in search of justice and information. I don't care what status the person in front of me has. They are able to destroy any restriction, no matter what the result is the rupture of social ties.

A man came down to the hotel lobby, almost completely naked and dressed only in his underwear. Then, without embarrassment, I asked one of those present where their pajamas were.

Sensory sensitivity

People with Asperger's say their world is much noisier than the world of the average person. This is due to increased sensitivity to all kinds of stimuli, including smells, touch, sounds, and images. This phenomenon has been found to occur in about 40% of people with AS. Sensitivity can be caused by anything: temperature, bright light, food, clothing such as itchy hair or labels inside, hands or crowds.

For example, when using public transportation (subway, train, bus), Aspen may wear earplugs or headphones to listen to his favorite music. Crowds of people, stuffiness and noise make you irritable, unbalanced and stressed. Music will help you relax and calm down. And when the situation becomes extremely tense, you have to leave, go off the route, stand alone, enjoy the silence and continue on foot.

There are special treatments for sensory problems. One of them is Sensory Integration Therapy. Its essence lies in the deliberate exposure to unpleasant stimuli, which is done gradually and in large quantities. By doing so, people become accustomed to such encounters and feel less frustrated and panicky.

For Asperger's syndrome, it is very important to identify methods and strategies to neutralize unpleasant impulses. For some people, that solution is some alcohol. People with Asperger's Syndrome find that this method helps them get rid of any disturbing emotions and reduce their stress levels. Some walk along deserted roads, others swing on a swing and need privacy for a while.

Meltdown

A crisis is sometimes described as a nervous breakdown or hysteria. In this condition, people with Asperger's tend to be impatient and unable to think straight. Even if you do not think so, you can become aggressive and say a lot of unpleasant things to others on the spot.

A person in this state can be physically harmed if someone tries to intervene to restore his sanity. But often they hurt themselves. Feeling pain can distract attention from what is happening.

Another decay option is disabled. In this case, despite the disability, people will not move. Looking at one moment, he does not answer even if you are called. Sometimes you take a seated position or lie on the floor or bed. If this situation occurs in public places, you will not be able to leave the place and stay there until the decay is over.

Failure may extend to blackout. But this does not mean that stress levels are reduced. In this case, contraction is the next stage of a nervous breakdown.

The reason for the breakdown is the impact of severe stress, which cannot be coped with. This sensitivity is due to Asperger's irritability. Stress in this case is not a temporary thing, but the result of a certain stressor. The decisive straw may not be the most important issue, but simply the final position of a series of obstacles.

This deterioration is triggered by the following factors.

• The planned routine suddenly changed.
• Exaggerated request
• Excessive social participation

You assume self-simulation and selfless behavior during capture. Speaking alone, shaking left and right, playing with the thumb...

Asperger's people express their state during the breakup in this way. As if everything around me is intense and sharp. You cannot control yourself, your body is guided by someone else, and your rational thought and mind are closed. The blood is smitten in my head. I can't answer somewhere in my heart, "something strange." I want to stop but I can't stop it.

I'm nervous in my head and want to delete it. I feel like I've been cornered. I have so many emotions to escape. The environment is too clear. It's like swimming underwater and breathing. You cannot control your words and say that you should have been silent. Most of the time, I obviously make people around me uncomfortable. And you are embarrassed. It takes a long time to figure out what happened to you and why it happened after it broke. People around me don't say, "Are you getting attention?"

Other signs of AS in adults

Asperger's is characterized by his passion for what you like. I'm crazy about it day and night. If favorable conditions overlap, they will become a great master and achieve great success.

Maria was enthusiastic about the language and was fluent in German, English, French and Italian. The teacher was skeptical when he wanted to learn Hindi. The class had already studied and read all the grammar, but her knowledge was zero. However, she was a dawn for learning the language day and night, and in less than two weeks she began to separate her classmates.

If you do whatever you want, you will be immersed in it. In general, their interests are very specific and concentrated in a narrow range.

Asperger demonstrates an amazing attention to detail. Aunt, no. Each fits exactly in every place. However, this feature is not perfect and some people pay attention to trivial things.

People with AS are so anxious that they often develop OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder). Appears when repeating meaningless actions. Repetitive body movements such as finger tapping, shoulder twisting, rocking, clinging to objects such as toothpicks, and abnormal counting of steps.

Aspergers are very conservative. It is difficult to break away from everyday life. They carefully plan their day. When I wake up in the morning and get dressed, they show me the way. To do this, we need to think about what emotions we will experience during the trip, and consider several options depending on the situation. I'm thinking about what needs to happen. Then decide if it's worth the effort it takes to make it happen.

Problems with executive function are problems with execution, such as the ability to plan and organize. For example, people with Asperger's Syndrome may have difficulty putting separate parts together. You may find it difficult to concentrate and direct your thoughts in the right direction.

Physically, people with Asperger's syndrome are not much different from others. However, there is something awkward about the movement. As a result, it is difficult to master certain sports or write letters, and posture and walking style can become idiosyncratic.

When communicating with a person with this disease, you can pay attention to the peculiarities of his speech. Rich vocabulary, but monotonous and slow. Their speeches are well organized and full of terms and scientific concepts, but the imagery is incomprehensible to Asperger's. Does not understand the meaning of proverbs, aphorisms, sarcasm and humor, cannot generalize and cannot apply one rule to many situations.

All conversations become egocentric because they often do not understand the feelings and emotions of the other person. In particular, this is a monologue in which the applicant talks about his hobbies and other things. When you are taught in conversation that you should be interested in the life of another person, you can discourage him with your questions. "What is it like to be an alcoholic?" you ask an alcoholic. Or “How much money do you have in your bank account?” They have no unspoken rules of communication.

Their thinking is at a high level, and they solve complex and specific structural problems. However, they lack flexibility and creative thinking.

Wrapping up

The bottom line is that people with Asperger's can surprise people better than anyone else. It combines different polarities of social life: positive and negative.

Strong characteristics of Asperger's Syndrome should include:

• be talented in a specific area
• were analyzed in detail.
• does not depend on the opinions of others
• Logical thinking
• Have an encyclopedic knowledge in the field of your interest.
• high intelligence
• speak eloquently.
• Say what you think without feeling guilty.
• Honesty.

The problem manifests itself in a lack of understanding of the unwritten rules of interpersonal relationships, the inability to understand, empathize and support the feelings of another person. It is difficult to distinguish between general concepts and it is difficult to generalize concepts to get the big picture. They lack imagination and take everything they say literally.

It sharpens your sense of the world. They are more stressed than others. People with Asperger's Syndrome are bad at planning delayed goals, and their over-focusedness and honesty sometimes go too far.

Life can be especially difficult for people with Asperger's. Certain difficulties in people with Asperger's syndrome break the person's personality and create barriers to a normal existence.

However, from the moment a person cooperates with his disability and accepts all its nuances, he has the opportunity to live and function in society without obvious failures and not suffer from a “special” condition.

Asperger's syndrome is classified as an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Although it is a disease of juvenile onset, it is most commonly diagnosed in adulthood. Because children with Asperger's are very intelligent and their parents often describe their erratic behavior as characteristic, they are rarely referred to a psychotherapist. Asperger's syndrome in adults manifests itself in different ways. They have successful careers, families and children, and some of them can be very successful in areas that do not require frequent contact with others, such as maintenance and intellectual property technology. However, many of them have problems with social adaptation and understanding of others, suffer from severe mental disorders.

When people with Asperger's see a specialist, it is usually related to alcoholism or other addictions. It may be misdiagnosed as a personality disorder such as schizoid, schizoid, or paranoid, or as nonspecific psychosis or depression. In this case, not only the expected effect is not achieved, but a treatment method is recommended that worsens the patient's condition. In order not to make the same mistakes, it is important to recognize the features of Asperger's syndrome in adults.

Description of the disease

Asperger's Syndrome is a form of autism, a lifelong dysfunction that affects how a person perceives the world, processes information and interacts with others. It is often referred to as "hidden dysfunction" because it cannot be detected by outward signs.

It manifests itself in many ways, but usually affects three areas.

• Social communication People who find it difficult to understand tone of voice, gestures, facial expressions, etc. He chooses topics poorly and often does not understand, even if the conversation is boring. People with Asperger's don't understand sarcasm or jokes, and metaphors and jokes don't make sense. People with Asperger's speak differently from birth and throughout their lives. Verbal communication is not recognized as a tool of social interaction. In them, words are needed only to convey certain facts and actions.
• Social interaction People with this type of autism want to be social, but because of this they cannot maintain social relationships with other people. Difficulty making friends and maintaining friendships. They do not understand the code of conduct that others consider "unwritten rules". This means that you can make inappropriate conversations or get too close to someone during a conversation, violating their privacy. Many healthy people often find their behavior inappropriate.
• social imagination. People with Asperger's Syndrome can become great artists, musicians, and writers only with difficulty presenting someone else's point of view and making predictions.

This syndrome is also characterized by an addiction to routine. People believe that by setting their own routine, they make the world less confusing. Unexpected tardiness and tardiness, which can only work at a set time, cause extreme anxiety and anxiety. A sick person has only one route home or to work or school and other behaviors.

People with Asperger's syndrome often show strong interest in certain areas of life and work. This commitment will last a lifetime. As a child, you may have been interested in everything from trains to computers. As they get older, they become more focused on learning everything related to their subject of interest. With strong stimulation, people with Asperger's can successfully pursue their interests.

Sensory perception is also impaired in patients with this syndrome. The feeling is either too low or too high. The visual, olfactory, gustatory and tactile systems are most often affected. However, in some patients, each of these functions may be impaired.

The cause of Asperger's syndrome is still unknown. However, most researchers agree that this is not their fault. In other words, disability is not caused by an unfavorable social environment or negligent parenting. This occurs during the formation of the brain in the prenatal period, and genetic factors, poor ecology, infectious diseases, etc. can lead to abnormal development of the central nervous system.

Types of adults with Asperger's syndrome

All patients with Asperger's syndrome can be divided into three groups, each with its own behavior and treatment strategy.

1. actor. This type of person wants to be in a relationship with another person. It does this by studying and imitating the social skills of healthy people. Actors are so adaptable that others do not notice their anomalies.
2. Outcasts This group includes adults with Asperger's who want social relationships but have difficulty making or maintaining friendships. This is due to the lack of social skills. The Outcast wants to adapt to life, but fails. People avoid getting into relationships with them because they often behave inappropriately and somewhat strangely. People of this type often become depressed and seek help in solving their own problems.
3. One wolf. This group includes patients who do not want to have interpersonal relationships. The exception is very close people who do not risk patients. “One wolf-man chooses almost only one kind of solitary occupation. He is not interested in sexual things, has almost no home, emotionally cool. He is completely avoided. Rather, I sometimes build intellectual or working relationships with others. Emotional intimacy. I rarely receive specialist treatment, but if I do, psychotherapy will become a leading role in treatment. The therapist's efforts are to improve exchange and communication skills, building and strengthening self-esteem. Increase.

Asperger's syndrome has difficulty in daily life, no matter how it appears. This type of illness is very often accompanied by depression, which leads to a desire for suicide. According to statistics, adults with Asperger's have a much higher risk of suicide than other types of mental illness. Depression is an important risk factor.

Diagnosis

Adult Asperger syndrome cannot be identified unless you are an experienced psychotherapist or psychiatrist. The process begins with observing the patient's behavior and reviewing the life history. For this reason, experts hear from patients' relatives and close friends. However, these measures are not always sufficient. The symptoms of this disease are often common to a person with a closed personality. A specific test designed to detect neuronal diseases and their severity can help with an accurate diagnosis.

Existing tests are usually classified into several groups such as intelligence tests, sensitivity tests and creativity tests. These tests are suitable for diagnosing this disease, both adults and children. A questionnaire that draws pictures of your favorite characters and other pictures just because the difficulty of the question is different will be used to work on younger patients.

The most commonly used questions used in diagnosing adult Asperger syndrome are as follows.

1. RAADS-R test. This can be used to distinguish between mental illnesses such as social phobia, depression and obsessive compulsive disorder. Give clients various living conditions and possible behaviors and ask them what is similar to the client.
2. There are 100 Aspesquis items. Each question clarifies that it can evoke characteristics and characteristics that can be characterized as Asperger's syndrome.
3. The Toronto Scale is designed to detect unusual body sensations. This questionnaire also shows that there is no way to interpret metaphors and symbols.
4. The TAS-20 test is used to determine emotional disorders. Use when you are in charge of patients of different ages. Looking at the selected picture, the patient says what the patient feels.

There are several types of diagnostic criteria for Asperger's syndrome. However, for diagnosis, it is necessary to check the primary symptoms of pathology for a long time and exclude other personality disorders and schizophrenia.

Treatment

Unfortunately, healing is not possible because this condition develops due to irreversible changes in the brain. Treatment for adult Asperger's syndrome is established by adapting to the environment. This is mainly implemented in the methods of psychotherapy. If the patient recognizes the specialty of his symptoms and is organized, the patient will work hard to treat himself.

Drug therapy is rarely used to treat Asperger's syndrome. Pharmacotherapy should only be used for depression or other psychiatric problems.

Physiotherapy can be used as an aid. Regular exercise has a positive effect on the function of the whole body, but special exercises have been selected for patients with Asperger's syndrome. They help improve motor coordination, relieve muscle tension, and improve the ability to manage day-to-day activities. Gymnastics is often combined with massage and various physiotherapy.

Choice of profession

In Japan, people with Asperger's syndrome are not considered to be seriously ill and need special treatment. With a fairly high mental capacity, patients with this type of disability can take care of themselves and be supportive. In addition, social exchange issues can be addressed with specialized support.

People with Asperger's have become famous and there are many successes in history. Researchers come to the conclusion that Albert Einstein, Isaac Newton, Louis Carroll, Marie Curie and even the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates could have this obstacle.

There is also information that famous director Steven Spielberg suffers. These hunches have been researched habits, lifestyles and activities, and have not been officially diagnosed by the aforementioned celebrities. Meanwhile, actor Anthony Hopkins, director Chris Packham, bike racer Guy Martin and musician Gary Newman are open to their daily diagnosis.

Asperger's does not mean that imagination, creativity, originality and ambition are not. If you want to achieve something in your life, try to make your own "specificity" your strength.

This is especially true for career choices. For people with ASD and Asperger Syndrome, it is very important to be educated in the most interesting area. It is important to choose a career with long term memories in mind and often have problems with short term working memory. ASD people can be successful in these professions.

• Visual Thinking: Mathematical ability can progress to computer programming, drafting, photography and projects, various crafts and minor repairs and computer games. In any of these professions, there is no need to quickly process large amounts of information in short-term memories.
• Non-visuals are good at processing facts and figures and have musical talents. Archive staff, independent journalists, editors, musical instruments, librarian, warehouse workers, etc. You can demonstrate your abilities in accounting, telephone sales, scientific work (physics, mathematics), etc.
• People with low functional autism can work as cleaning staff, landscapers and warehouse workers. Light cooking in fast food stores, assembly of various products in factories, data entry using special devices and document copying.

In order for people with such disabilities to succeed, it is necessary to work hard. Employers only want such workers when their skills are very good. Thus, you may overlook the lack of sociality.

A disability such as Asperger's syndrome is not fatal but makes life very difficult. However, people in ASD can become productive members of society, build a family, and have a healthy child. To do this, it is necessary to find out the problem at an early stage and begin psychotherapy.

The prognosis for Asperger's is generally good. It is impossible to completely remove this condition, but you can acquire a way to get sick and well. It is difficult for patients to deal alone and the quality of life cannot be improved without the help of experienced psychotherapists who specialize in autism and other spectrums.

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Unlike ADHD, Asperger's doesn't have the remarkable word delays. Children and adults with this syndrome have difficulty communicating and can't understand non-calum cues I can't understand the cue or humor, literally gets it all, or I'm at a loss because I can't guess what a certain remark means.0003

Asperger's may have a narrow range of interest or act repeatedly, but there is no remarkable delay in the development of languages ​​and mental sounds.

Conversely, in an intellectual sense, it is often better than classmates, and some of the "Asperger" shows premature vocabulary, and many of them are highly specialized fields.

How Asperger's Syndrome is Diagnosed

The following actions are common in Asperger's Syndrome.

However, it rarely occurs in one person, and the degree varies greatly.

• The rules of communication are not understood and there is little or no social interaction;
• "Robo-like" or repeated speech.
• There are problems with non-casual communication (gestures, facial expressions, etc.). "Aspe" cannot understand the expressions and emotions of others.
• I cannot understand social and emotional problems or logical phrases.
• No eye contact.
• No conversation among themselves. I don't know if the other person is interested in the conversation.
• ASPE is difficult to determine the answer, so he may stumble when someone greets something.
• Attachment to a specific, often rare topic.
• One conversation, as a rule, speaks more about himself than about others. Asperger's conversations often have many conversations in a narrow range, and they often fail to move on to other topics for several hours.
• Repeated monotonous movement e-pseudotype Example: body shaking, arm movement incorrectly, jumping, excessive movement, blinking, etc.
• Social color of feeling. Anomalies. Asperger can be too loud, don't walk a distance talking to another person or approach another person.
• Excessive straight ball, no lie. You can say something that might hurt with the implicit understanding that your opponent might feel uncomfortable. For example, it is better to lose weight because you are fat, the soup is bad, or no one is talking. Asperger himself does not take offense, and this feeling is not unique.
• You cannot instinctively respond to "universal" non-calculus cues such as smiles, smiles, sadness and anger.

Symptoms of 2-4-lying with Asperger's syndrome are often confused with other activities such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In fact, many of the symptoms are similar to babies, such as excessive athletic ability, decreased learning behavior, and unfulfilled performance.

Being in your own world can be confused with diminished concentration and being weak. At the age of five and six, it becomes clear that the cause of developmental disorders is less communication skills than concentration.

Distinguishing Asperger's Syndrome from Early Childhood Autism

Unlike ADHD, Asperger's Syndrome does not have remarkable word delays. Conversely, Young Asperger often starts talking very early (1-1.5 years old) or is silent until 3-3.5 years old, and then starts talking more than classmates. He will show a fairly high level of intelligence.

In particular, the features of Asperger's Syndrome are that they have little intelligence with good storage memory so that they can demonstrate very advanced knowledge in a certain direction.

As a result, Asperger's got the impression that he was more developed and intelligent than others. In fact, in most cases, the general level of intelligence is less than standard, but in a narrow field (mathematics, programming, history, etc.), people with this symptom can become a genius.

The human brain consists of a left brain and a right brain. The left side is responsible for logical thinking, language and mathematical operations, while the right side is responsible for music and creativity. Our brain is always used in both hemispheres, and both hemispheres are connected with the help of the brain, and information is exchanged through this bridge. When the bridge is cut, each hemisphere of the brain works separately, you can see the right eye and you can see another one in the left eye. The picture is not complete, it looks like a broken mirror. The same will happen at the hearing.

This is an example of why Asperger's people differ from normative people and why they react to others.

Famous people with Asperger's syndrome

Asperger's is difficult to communicate, but this does not prevent a significant position in society.

Dawn Prince-Hughes is an anthropologist who treats monkeys and primates. As a child, he wrote that when he saw a monkey in the zoo, for the first time in his life, he “rested his soul.” The zoo staff realized that Don Prince-Hughes spent a lot of time with primates, and they also played a part in getting her to finish high school, go to college, and eventually get into anthropology.

Clay Marzo is a surfer with Asperger's Syndrome. When I was a kid, people thought I wasn't serious, but I just liked surfing.

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