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The Truth About Aspergers Disease

By Dave Angel

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Published: 20Mar2011
Word count: 605
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Aspergers disease is not an accurate description of Aspergers Syndrome. Aspergers is actually a condition that many children have. This article will explain some of the characteristics of Aspergers. It will also detail some useful tips on how to manage challenging behaviors that are often associated with the condition.

As I said above Aspergers disease does not technically exist, but children with Aspergers tend to demonstrate social awkwardness and an all-absorbing interest in specific topics. Signs and symptoms of Aspergers include unusual non-verbal communication, such as lack of eye contact, few facial expressions and awkward body postures and gestures. Narrow, intense fascination with chosen subjects is also common with Aspergers children. Things such as train schedules, baseball statistics, weather or any other topics can be the subject of this intense attention. They can appear not to understand, empathize with, or be sensitive to others' feelings and will have a hard time "reading" other people or understanding humor. Their voice often sounds stiff and their manner of speech can be rapid and monotonous. They will sometimes appear to move clumsily and have poor coordination.

Not having all they need to deal with the world effectively, Aspergers children can be challenging in their behavior. This may be part of the reason for people using the term Aspergers disease. If you try to end the behavior, you first have to figure out why it is happening so you can meet the need it fulfills in a different, more appropriate way. To do this, you can assess children with Aspergers with the A-B-C method of analysis. This includes an analysis of the Antecedent, Behavior and the Consequence. The antecedent in what happens before the behavior begins. The behavior is the response to the antecedent and the consequence is whatever immediately follows the behavior. The consequence can be the most difficult thing to determine. Often, the Aspergers child will have limited verbal capabilities so they will have problems identifying their needs. You can help them to identify what their need is once you have clarified the cause of the behavior.

Remember, it will be something that occurs either right before or right after the behavior. Once you have established the reason for the behavior, the child with Aspergers will need a consistent behavior program or method of intervention. These children crave consistency and routine. They need to know what is going to happen next or you will encounter more challenging behaviors. Consider environmental changes when implementing the behavioral intervention. This can include removing items that are over-stimulating. It can also mean providing more things that the child appears to need. Replacement behavior must be identified and planned out if the difficult behavior is going to be stopped. Remember, if you eliminate the behavior without meeting the need they will find their own replacement behavior.

It is natural for small children to be egocentric and many little ones show a strong attachment to a particular topic or character. This can be completely normal, which can make autism and what many incorrectly know as Aspergers Disease (Aspergers Syndrome) difficult to diagnose. If you child is unable to make friends or has a lot of trouble with school you should consider speaking to your pediatrician. These difficulties can have many causes and developmental disorders should be ruled out as early in the child's life as possible. Aspergers syndrome, can be identified and addresses early on.

I hope that this article has given you a good basic insight into Aspergers Syndrome, and made it clear that the term "Aspergers Diagnosis" is both incorrect and largley unhelpful.

Dave Angel is a Social Worker and the author of three best-selling ebooks about Aspergers Syndrome. Do you have an Aspergers child? Get your free report 'Secrets to Parenting your Child with Aspergers' Guide at www.parentingaspergers.com/blog

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