Asperger's Syndrome
What is it?
Asperger's Syndrome is a neurobiological disorder that is marked by social and communication skill deficiencies. The term Asperger's Syndrome is used when a child or adult has some features of Autism but may not have the full blown clinical picture. There is some disagreement about where it fits in the spectrum.
Children with Asperger's Syndrome often have difficulty with transitions or changes and prefer sameness. They may have obsessive routines and be preoccupied with a particular subject of interest. They have a great deal of difficulty reading nonverbal cues (body language) and may be challenged to determine proper body space. Often overly sensitive to sounds, tastes, smells, and sights, the person with Asperger's Syndrome may prefer soft clothing, certain specific foods, and be bothered by sounds or lights no one else seems to hear or see. Children may also appear to be physically clumsy. These symptoms are all sensory based. It's important to remember that the person with AS perceives the world very differently. Therefore, many behaviors that seem odd or unusual are due to those neurological differences and not the result of intentional rudeness or bad behavior.
By definition, those with Asperger's Syndrome have a normal IQ and many individuals (although not all), exhibit an exceptional skill or talent in a specific area. Children with Asperger's Syndrome often seem "eccentric" or "odd." They can easily become victims of teasing and bullying. Vocabularies may be extraordinarily rich and some children sound like "little professors." However, children with Asperger's Syndrome are often extremely literal and have difficulty using language in a social context.
Who can benefit from treatment?
- Children with Asperger's Syndrome
- Children with "eccentric" or "odd" tendencies
- Children with Pervasive Development Disorder
- Children who appear to be physically clumsy
- Children with sensory issues
- Children who have difficulty in social situations with peers or adults
How can the Abilities Center help?
Abilities Center Therapists use several approaches to treat Asperger's Syndrome. Depending on the child's age, treatment may include Interactive Metronome, Handwriting/Keyboarding Skills, Social Skills Groups and Physical Therapy. Every child responds differently and therapy is tailored to the individual needs of each child.
Major objectives of treating children with Asperger's Syndrome are:
The Abilities Center partners with parents and educators to develop an individual treatment plan for each child. Both long term and short term goals are developed and used to assess progress. General goals include identifying practice techniques to build awareness of socially acceptable behavior, teach communication skills, and strengthen both fine and gross motor coordination.
Who works with children with articulation problems?
- Occupational Therapists
- Physical Therapists
- Professional Tutors
- Psychologists
- Educators