Key Facts About Asperger Syndrome Every Parent Should Know
Asperger syndrome has been recognized as a mild autism spectrum disorder since the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual was published in 2013. Asperger's is often considered a 'high-functioning' form of autism because children with the disorder are able to develop cognitive abilities that match or exceed those of healthy children. However, their social skills may be impaired, affecting their ability to interact with others. Here are facts every parent should know about Asperger's.
What Is Asperger’s?
Asperger’s is a neurological disorder that is considered to be a mild form of autism. Its symptoms are less severe than those of autism. Many people with Asperger’s are often considered to have above-average cognitive skills but struggle to maintain their attention. Unlike children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, who lack an ability to focus, children with Asperger's focus obsessively on specific and often unusual topics.
This is why many people with the disorder are able to become experts on niche topics. Children and adults with Asperger’s have been described as socially awkward and lacking social maturity. However, most of them can perform day-to-day tasks and are able to function capably without intervention.
Signs To Watch For
It is not easy to identify a person with Asperger’s because the disorder is a high-functioning form of autism. Children with Asperger's typically do not experience speech and language delays due to their above-average cognitive skills. The most common symptom is impaired social development. Children with Asperger’s are often isolated from other children because their interests are different and they focus on specific topics obsessively.
They also do not pick up on the social cues of others around them. Common signs of Asperger's include a lack of eye contact during conversation; difficulty comprehending nonliteral words or phrases; repetitive mannerisms, speech, or movements; and delays in motor skill development.
