Complex developmental disorder of consciousness - how Asperger syndrome manifests itself. What is Asperger's syndrome? Possible additional disorders
There are many different symptoms of Asperger's syndrome, but the main thing is the clearly visible difficulty in establishing social contacts. Children with Asperger's syndrome may have mild, moderate, or severe symptoms of the disease.
Sometimes very few symptoms appear, but other people with Asperger's syndrome may experience numerous symptoms. Due to the variety of symptoms and various shapes diseases, Asperger's syndrome manifests itself differently in each child.
Symptoms of Asperger's syndrome in children
Parents notice the first symptoms of Asperger's syndrome in their children, usually during preschool age when children begin to interact with other children. Preschool children with Asperger's syndrome have problems communicating with other people. Many children do not understand the body language of the people around them and do not know how to start or maintain a conversation.
Autism is a disease...
Children with Asperger's syndrome cannot tolerate changes in the established order of the day. Outsiders may feel like they lack empathy. In addition, children suffering from this syndrome are usually unable to distinguish subtle changes in voice timbre, do not understand jokes, and take sarcastic comments too seriously.
Children with Asperger's syndrome typically speak formally and avoid making eye contact or looking at others. They are only interested in one or a few topics that they study in depth. Drawing detailed pictures, learning about astronomy or animals, the names of stars or dinosaurs are very popular among children with Asperger's syndrome. Children are happy to talk about their interests, and, as a rule, this is more of a monologue than a dialogue. Often these children speak their thoughts out loud.
Some children with Asperger's syndrome are slower to learn to use a knife or spoon, ride a horse, ride a bicycle, or catch a ball. They may have a rather unusual gait and, as a rule, not very aesthetic handwriting. Another symptom of Asperger's syndrome is increased sensitivity to stimuli such as noise, strong light, taste and touch.
It is worth understanding that the presence of one or two of the above symptoms does not necessarily mean the presence of Asperger syndrome. This diagnosis is made when, in addition to these symptoms, the child has obvious problems with socialization. Moreover, despite the fact that Asperger's syndrome A bit like autism, there are many significant differences between the two.
Children with Asperger's syndrome are usually unable to communicate and develop socially, but tend to show a greater willingness to connect with their environment.
Asperger's Syndrome in Teens
Most of the symptoms of Asperger's syndrome persist in adolescence. Although teenagers suffering from this syndrome may begin to learn missing social skills, maintaining contacts may still be a challenge for them.
Many teenagers have difficulty understanding other people's behavior. Teens with Asperger's syndrome are usually able to form friendships, but may feel insecure and lack confidence when interacting with peers.
Teens with Asperger's syndrome may not be mature enough for their age, naive and too trusting, which can cause unflattering comments from peers and even bullying. As a result, teens may become even more isolated. Sometimes they experience depression and anxiety disorders.
It should be remembered, however, that some teenagers with Asperger's syndrome are able to form and maintain friendships throughout their school years. Some children with Asperger syndrome show unconventional thinking, creativity and the ability to study original topics, a desire to adhere to principles and sincerity, which can be useful not only at school, but also in later life.
Symptoms of Asperger's syndrome in adults
Asperger's syndrome does not go away with age, but its symptoms tend to stabilize. Adults are usually able to better understand their weaknesses and strengths, and they are also able to learn to function in society.
Many people with Asperger's syndrome marry and have children. Some characteristic features people with Asperger's syndrome, such as attention to detail and specific interests, increase the chances of successful career and professional success.
Among the world-famous people who had symptoms of Asperger's syndrome are: Thomas Jefferson, Albert Einstein, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Marie Curie-Sklodowska, etc.
Many adults with Asperger's syndrome They are passionate about technology, so engineering is a popular field among them. Acquisition Opportunities vocational education However, they are not limited to science.
Main symptoms:
- Concentration on one lesson
- Monotony of speech
- Sensory disorders
- Inability to pick the desired topic and words
- Lack of communication skills
- Repeating the same words and phrases
- Tendency to monologue
- Tendency to organize
- Weak gestures and facial expressions
Perhaps many people have seen the film “Rain Man”. It was this film that attracted public attention to people suffering from autism, a disease characterized by certain disorders of brain development. Asperger's syndrome is a type of autism.
This syndrome largely affects a person’s perception of the world around him, information, and his interaction with other people. Alas, this dysfunction is lifelong, but if you make some efforts, you can sufficiently make being in society pleasant for a person.
What can cause the disease?
Asperger's syndrome is congenital genetic disorder, therefore develop after the birth of a child under the influence external factors it can't. If we talk about heredity, then everything is not entirely clear here either: modern medicine has not yet come to a consensus on whether Asperger's syndrome is hereditary disease, or is it a spontaneous mutation. However, be that as it may, there are no direct dependencies that would reduce the risk of of this disease, No.
How does this syndrome manifest itself?
Manifestations of Asperger's syndrome can be noticed in a child from about three years of age; before that, the baby can develop quite normally: he learns speech in due time, and motor skills also correspond to his age. But in the future they may appear following signs diseases:
- It is difficult for a child to establish contact with the environment. Despite the fact that children with Asperger syndrome do not have any speech delays, it is difficult for them to make new acquaintances and interact in every possible way in society. This is especially evident when in contact with peers: in kindergarten, school, during games on the playground, etc. It is difficult for such children to understand the emotions of other children, their interests and the rules of behavior that inevitably arise even in such a small cell of society.
- In a conversation, the child repeatedly repeats the same words and phrases, moreover, monotonously, almost without intonation, which is why his speech seems unnatural, as if mechanical. This disease is also characterized by repeated movements that are performed seemingly unconsciously: tapping fingers on the table, winding strands of hair around a finger. If you look at photos with such children, you notice a certain awkwardness in the pose.
- Inability to choose the right topic and the right words. Often, because of this manner of behavior, such people are considered rude and tactless, but this is far from the truth: simply a person born with Asperger's syndrome is not able to monitor the reaction of the interlocutor and understand what he likes and what he does not. It is also quite difficult for such people to understand hints, jokes, and other things like that: they understand everything in the literal sense, and this must be taken into account.
- Tendency to monologue. In a conversation, children with such a disease rarely follow the reaction of their interlocutor: the child does not look the listener in the face, does not pause, waiting for a response to his story. They simply give out accumulated information. Often there is no eye contact with the interlocutor, or indeed any contact whatsoever. But nevertheless, they are fully aware that they are having a conversation with another person and perceive the situation absolutely adequately.
- Gesticulation and facial expressions are almost not expressed. If everything is fine with the vocabulary of a child with a similar disease (in this regard, they are often even ahead of healthy children), then with the non-verbal part of communication everything is somewhat different: there is no waving of arms, grimaces and antics, which are usually characteristic of children. The facial expression usually remains distant, and the gaze is directed into nowhere (this is noticeable even in the photo). This makes the speech even more unnatural, awkward, as if it were not a person speaking, but a robot.
- Repetitive actions, tendency to order. Often those born with Asperger's syndrome develop a tendency towards perfectionism, that is, the desire to organize everything. Toys are arranged according to size, books are stacked in an even pile. Yes, in older children such a phenomenon may indicate a much more harmless desire for neatness, but for a child 3–5 years old such a desire for order is extremely atypical. The photo has become quite famous, where small child stacks the cubes into a perfectly even column. In addition, children with mental disorders tend to perform certain actions every day. Such actions are also called rituals.
- Concentration on any one activity. Multitasking, alas, is not typical for Asperger's syndrome: on the contrary, for such children it is much easier, for example, to choose one topic of conversation and follow it. The same is observed in relation to hobbies and hobbies: a person can be well versed, for example, in mathematics, but at the same time have not the slightest idea about figures fine arts, photo and video equipment, etc. All free time, all energy is devoted to my favorite pastime, be it collecting stamps or constructing airplane models.
The most characteristic symptoms of Asperger's syndrome were listed above, but this does not mean that they should appear all at once, or that the signs of Asperger's syndrome are limited to this list. However, if multiple signs indicate the likelihood of having this disease, then it is necessary to consult a doctor for examination and comprehensive treatment.
Diagnosis - how to recognize this syndrome
Diagnosing Asperger's syndrome is not an easy task, because the symptoms of this disease are similar to those of other mental disorders. However, what earlier illness will be discovered, the more painlessly the adaptation of a person with Asperger syndrome into society will be. But, again, detecting the disease is not so easy, so one test after another is required. Moreover, geneticists and specialists in the field of neurology should be involved in the matter. You will need to take a test for intellectual development, genetic studies, psychomotor test, etc. You should not be afraid of this: each test (with the exception of genetic studies, of course) will be carried out in the form of a conversation or game.
Must be carried out differential diagnosis. As already mentioned, some of the symptoms of Asperger syndrome are also characteristic of other diseases, so it is important to weed out everything unnecessary. Basically, the test helps to exclude the following diseases:
- obsessive-compulsive disorder;
- hyperactivity;
- various forms of depression;
- attention deficit disorder;
- neurasthenia.
Moreover, all these mental illness may be combined with Asperger's syndrome, so this point also needs to be clarified. In addition, Asperger's syndrome is very often confused with Kanner's syndrome, that is, classic. But there are differences between these diseases, and they will be given below.
- Autism manifests itself already in the first years of life, while Asperger syndrome is almost impossible to diagnose before the age of 3–4, either through personal contact or from a photo.
- In classic autism, speech function is often impaired, while in Asperger's vocabulary not only corresponds to the level healthy child of a similar age, but also exceeds it. Moreover, children with Asperger's syndrome begin to speak much earlier than they walk. Children with classic autism are the opposite.
- The intelligence of autistic people is significantly reduced, while half have mental retardation, moreover, it is expressed quite clearly. With Asperger's mental abilities do not lag behind normal ones, and sometimes even exceed them.
- Autistic people live as if in their own world, and forecasts regarding their adaptation to society are often very disappointing. Many autistic people also suffer from schizoid psychopathy. People with Asperger's syndrome, despite some behavioral characteristics, are quite capable of leading a normal life. Especially if specialists work with the child and facilitate the process of establishing contact with the outside world.
As you can see, Asperger's syndrome is not, unlike classic autism, an insurmountable barrier to a normal life. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the symptoms inherent in Asperger syndrome and visit a doctor.
Tests to help detect the presence of the syndrome
Currently, there are several tests that greatly facilitate the diagnosis of Asperger's syndrome. Among them:
- RME test. This test involves making a diagnosis based on the patient's perspective. Sometimes they even do this based on photographs. It is intended mainly for small children. However, the results of such testing may not be entirely accurate.
- RAADS-R test. Intended for teenagers over 16 years old and adults. Allows you to identify autism, Asperger's syndrome and other similar mental disorders.
- EQ test. Determines the level of empathy of a person, that is, his emotional development. People with Asperger's have lower rates.
- AQ test. Reveals the most characteristic behavioral features of people with a similar disease: the presence of “rituals”, fixation on one particular task or task, etc.
The tests listed above make it easier to diagnose the disease; one cannot talk about the presence of Asperger's syndrome based only on test results or photos. A visit to a psychologist, psychiatrist, neurologist and other specialists is necessary.
Treatment of the disease
It is impossible to remove Asperger's syndrome as such, since it is genetic disease, however, it is possible to smooth out the manifestations of this disease, which prevent a person from settling into society. Of course, this treatment is complex and directly depends on the symptoms of a particular person. For example, you may need the help of the following specialists:
- . Yes, the vocabulary of children with Asperger's syndrome is quite large, but the point here is no longer what the child says, but how he says it. The speech therapist will help the child to talk emotional coloring, “live” intonations, make speech brighter and richer. Non-verbal communication methods will also be adjusted: the child will learn to gesticulate naturally, pose for photos, etc.
- . Actually, it is the psychologist who is largely responsible for the outcome of treatment. This doctor will help the child interact with society, feel the mood of the interlocutor, perceive the hidden messages that people often address to each other when communicating, etc.
- Teacher-defectologist. Like a psychologist, such a teacher is able to help a child navigate the world around him. In addition, he will be able to find the right approach in terms of training.
- General therapy: massage, physical therapy, physiotherapy. All this will help not only remove some of the awkwardness of movements that is sometimes inherent in people with a similar disease, but will also contribute to relaxation and restoration of the entire body.
To many similar treatment seems quite labor-intensive, but it is extremely necessary for the future life of children with Asperger syndrome, especially for her social side. And therefore it is important to correctly approach the issue of rehabilitation of children suffering from Asperger syndrome.
Predictions and prevention
Asperger syndrome, or more precisely, people with such a disease, have every chance of becoming normal members of society, and the prognosis for this outcome is encouraging. Yes, some characteristics will remain with a person for life, but, in the end, each person is a special person in his own way. Very often, people who have been diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome find themselves in the exact sciences: mathematics, physics, IT, the art of photography and video filming, etc. Moreover, some famous personalities had this syndrome. Among them are Einstein, Newton and other men of science. And of course, it’s hard to argue with the fact that they have achieved significant success in life.
As for prevention (we are, of course, talking about those who are thinking about parenthood and want to prevent Asperger syndrome from appearing in their children), all that can be advised here is to monitor your health and avoid bad habits. There is also an opinion that the appearance of the syndrome may be influenced by environmental conditions environment. Unfortunately, modern medicine cannot offer anything more specific in the prevention of Asperger syndrome.
Asperger's syndrome is a form of autism that is a lifelong disability. Its influence affects a person’s perception of the world, the way he relates to others, and uses various information. Experts often define autism as a whole spectrum of disorders because this state people are not equally involved, and their degree of influence also varies.
Asperger's syndrome is a "hidden function" in most cases. This means that a person’s appearance does not contribute in any way to determining the presence of this syndrome. There are certain areas in which people with this condition have particular difficulties. This is the area of social communication, social imagination, and social interaction. This list is called the “triad of violations.”
Despite the fact that this disorder has certain similarities with classic autism, there are also many differences. For example, speech is not so problematic, and the intelligence of patients is often equal to average, or even above average. These patients do not have the learning disabilities associated with autism. However, in the process of any learning they have certain difficulties.
Dyslexia and a number of other disorders can be distinguished, for example, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is often observed, as well. If the correct stimulation and support required in this situation are provided, then patients with this syndrome lead an independent and fulfilling lifestyle.
Peculiarities of behavior of people with Asperger's syndrome
Usually, when meeting a person, you can form a certain opinion about him. It is based on many signs. This is the tone of voice, facial expression, facial expressions, movements. Based on certain observations, one can draw conclusions about whether a person is happy, whether he is in a state of sadness or joy. Based on this, we draw conclusions and react accordingly.
The purpose of this video is to show the world through the eyes of an autistic person.
It first shows a quiet drive in the English suburbs through the eyes of an ordinary person. It then shows how the same episode might be experienced by an autistic person - it can be frightening.
Often people with autism use certain methods to escape stress and fear of the world. Such methods include concentration on a specific object, in this case a watch. Or focusing on a specific topic in an attempt to escape external influences.
As for people who have, they have difficulty interpreting the simplest signs, such as gestures and intonation. That is, what is commonplace for most of human society. This proves that the contacts of such people with others are difficult. This situation makes them worry and worry, they feel confused.
Often people with this syndrome try to make their lives easier, and may try to set their own rules that seem appropriate to them. For example, in childhood the child wants to go to school using one route and refuses to take a new route. If there is a change in the school schedule, they always get upset. Adult individuals also do not like to change their existing daily routine. If they are used to working during the day, being transferred to the evening shift causes great anxiety and confusion.
How is Asperger's syndrome treated?
There is no therapy for this disease and no cure. If a child has Asperger's syndrome, then after the appropriate time he becomes an adult with this disorder. But taking into account the fact that this disorder is being understood, and appropriate services are emerging to help the development of such a personality, people with Asperger syndrome have an increasing chance of realizing their potential.
In modern psychotherapy, Asperger syndrome (Aspie) is considered one of the most curious and unstudied conditions human psyche. It is often said about Asperger's syndrome that it is a manifestation of autism. Indeed, this disorder belongs to the autism spectrum.
But, unlike autism, Aspie pathology is not accompanied by a mental disorder (with autism, such deviations are observed in 90% of cases). Modern doctors are inclined to believe that Asperger's syndrome is not a disease, but a peculiar feature of brain function. More often it develops in men (85% of cases).
People with Asperger's syndrome cannot feel the emotions of others
The disorder owes its name to the Austrian psychiatrist Hans Asperger. The scientist devoted a lot of time to studying and observing children aged 6-18 years suffering from this disorder. The psychiatrist himself called this condition “autistic psychopathy.” According to statistics, Aspie affects 4-5% of the world's population.
There are no intellectual impairments associated with Asperger's syndrome. On the contrary, the intellectual abilities of children far exceed the average indicators of their peers.
If you manage to interest a child with an Aspie in suitable activities, he will achieve excellent success and may even join the ranks of geniuses. This syndrome has been observed in:
- Dan Ackroyd (talented comic actor);
- Steven Spielberg (brilliant film director);
- Mary Temple Grandin (female professor of animal husbandry, biologist);
- Vernon Smith (owner Nobel Prize in the field of economics);
- Bob Dylan (film actor, writer, poet, performer of his own songs).
Some researchers, studying the biographies of outstanding individuals, concluded that Newton, Van Gogh, Socrates, Einstein, Carol Lewis were also Aspers.
The essence of pathology
Asperger's disease is a congenital disorder characterized by specific problems in social relationships with others. People with Aspies do not know how to empathize. Simply put, in the minds of aspers, the place where assumptions about the thoughts and feelings of others are formed is closed by a “white impenetrable spot.”
Patients with Asperger's syndrome do not understand emotions; for them, such manifestations of feelings are a by-product and unnecessary product of thinking. For such individuals, everything is extremely simple: you need to strive to get what is pleasant, and what is unpleasant should be avoided.
But life mercilessly makes its own adjustments to this perception, and the life of aspers acquires excruciating anxiety. Such people have huge communication problems (are unable to establish, develop and maintain friendly relationships).
Strengths people with Asperger's syndrome The essence of pathology comes down to vivid manifestations of a lack of relationships, problems of normal adaptation and perception of the surrounding reality. This syndrome is manifested by a sharp restriction of social acceptance. Asperger's disease is classified as a "hidden" disorder. By appearance It is almost impossible for a person to determine the problem.
How to identify Asperger's syndrome
Modern luminaries of psychiatry describe disorders by viewing them through a triad of main symptoms:
Social and communication difficulties
People with Aspies have a very difficult time expressing and expressing themselves as individuals socially and emotionally. To understand what Asperger's syndrome is in simple words, get to know the most common manifestations of such patients. They:
- do not understand the gestures, tone of voice, facial expressions of the interlocutors;
- cannot determine when to start and end communication/conversation;
- are not able to determine which topic of conversation is suitable and interesting;
- use overly complex phrases, but do not fully understand their meaning;
- They are too “literal”, have difficulty accepting jokes, and are inaccessible to sarcasm and complex metaphors.
Difficulties in perceiving the world (spatial and sensory)
Aspers strive to be sociable and establish some kind of social relationships, but when faced with a lack of understanding of the behavior of others, they become withdrawn. They have the following features:
- misunderstanding of “personal space”;
- coldness in relationships of any kind;
- incorrect behavior and conversation;
- indifference, alienation, detachment from others;
- inability to maintain accepted distance and decorum.
Inability to socially imagine (emotional deficits)
Patients with Asperger's syndrome can boast developed imagination. But they don’t know how to “connect” it to everyday life. It is easier for them to listen and obey the rules of logic. Aspers are characterized by:
- absolutely not aware of the point of view of others;
- find it difficult to predict any future events;
- engage more in logical actions without the participation of creative ideas;
- don't perceive emotional background which pushes people to certain actions;
- misunderstanding of what the interlocutor wants to tell if he uses facial expressions and gestures in communication.
Other signs characterizing Asperger syndrome
In addition to the three main categories characteristic of people with Aspie, other signs also indicate the presence of pathology. They are observed to one degree or another in every such person:
Creating a Specific Order. When an asper encounters an incomprehensible, confusing world, he, on a subconscious level, tries to bring the environment into order that is peculiar to him. The creation of template rules helps in this. If something or someone violates the routine, people with Aspies become extremely anxious..
For example, changes in opening hours, train or bus delays. Aspers prefer to go to the store or to work along only one route; if something changes, this leads them to great frustration.
Problematic aspects of a person with Asperger's syndrome Special hobbies. People with Asperger's syndrome are more likely to enjoy hoarding or collecting. These individuals will enthusiastically find information and study everything related to their favorite hobby.
Aspers are distinguished by their exceptional, very deep and extensive knowledge of what truly fascinates and interests them.
Sensory difficulties. Sensory difficulties in aspers manifest themselves in some kind of sensation. May suffer:
- taste;
- hearing;
- vision;
- touch;
- sense of smell.
One of these senses is either undersensitive (underdeveloped) or oversensitive. Patients may be irritated by non-specific lighting, loud sounds, strong aroma, certain surfaces. To relieve stress, patients with Asperger's syndrome can spin or sway evenly in one place for a long time.
Increased sensory sensitivity creates difficulties for such individuals in perception own body. Some aspers find it very problematic to move from room to another room and avoid obstacles. Cause difficulties and actions that require fine motor skills(tying shoelaces, fastening buttons).
Signs of Asperger's syndrome in children
The distinctive symptoms of Asperger's syndrome in children begin to appear after 4-5 years of age. Even in kindergarten, such individuals are noticeably different from their peers. Children with Aspies often become outcasts in kindergarten society. The inability to make friends and establish friendly relationships “pushes” such children to the margins of a noisy childhood life.
Children with Asperger syndrome become outcasts among their peers Little outcasts have nothing against them; they willingly settle into their own world. They are difficult to understand, because poor facial expressions and stingy emotions do not show the child’s inner state. Asper children tend to show the same type of behavior and expression of their feelings. Such children:
- They get irritated by loud music and songs.
- They do not want to participate in noisy group games.
- They are strongly attached to their family and familiar home environment.
- They react sharply (even to the point of hysteria) to the appearance of strangers.
- They do not like funny, funny cartoons due to their inability to appreciate jokes.
Children with Asperger's syndrome love to play with construction sets, put together puzzles, and enjoy quiet, logical system games.
Attention moms. At least obvious signs Asperger's syndrome manifests itself at the age of kindergarten, it is worth paying attention to unusual symptoms that are visible even in more early age. Alarm signals The following symptoms may appear:
- sudden tears caused by sounds, light, smell;
- clumsy gait compared to other peers, there is a certain unsteadiness, swaying, awkwardness;
- unpleasant sensations from smooth objects, the baby explains that they are prickly, rough and unpleasant.
These early signs do not indicate the presence of Asperger's disorder, but should be the cause additional consultation with a neurologist.
Growing up, children with Asperger syndrome show a certain arrogance, even arrogance, and are indifferent to the people around them. But this is just a defensive reaction, an attempt to hide and protect yourself from a chaotic, unpleasant world.
Emotions, tightly driven and hidden inside, give rise to high level anxiety that requires release and release. This manifests itself as attacks of aggression and many somatic manifestations:
- temperature;
- pressure surges;
- problems with the gastrointestinal tract;
- spasms of the esophagus;
- cardiovascular diseases.
Timely diagnosis (when working with children, psychologists resort to specific testing of patients) and diagnosing Asperger syndrome early stage, allow for competent correction and significantly improve the perception of reality in such children.
Signs of the disorder in adults
If the pathology is not identified at an early age and the necessary treatment is not carried out psychological correction, the disease provokes the appearance of persistent, acute social isolation. Symptoms of Asperger's syndrome in adults are expressed as follows:
- Aspers have absolutely no idea what humor is.
- Patients are not able to understand where the lie is and where the truth is.
- Friends and acquaintances are missing. Asper cannot find the same interests as those around him.
- Problems arise in your personal life. The person does not know how to maintain close relationships.
People with Aspies are not able to occupy leadership positions where the ability to manage and organize subordinates is valued. Even if they have a thorough knowledge of their own company and are well versed in calculations and accounting, such individuals prefer to engage in routine, monotonous duties. They don't care about their career at all.
People with Asperger's syndrome don't care about career issues People with Asperger's syndrome are not particularly liked by their colleagues because of their strange behavior and perceived impoliteness. After all, aspers:
- do not understand how the interlocutor feels;
- say everything to your face, what is necessary and what is not necessary;
- make insensitive public remarks;
- they don’t see the point in maintaining office etiquette;
- do not think about making a good impression;
- They can cut off the conversation and leave because of their own sudden thoughts.
As they get older, aspers develop increased suspicion, even to the point of phobia. Because of this, such individuals are considered by others to be tactless, arrogant and petty, unpleasant bores.
Reasons for the development of the syndrome
Doctors have not identified the exact culprit that triggers the development of Asperger's disorder. The provoking factors of pathology are the subject of noisy debates and discussions among psychiatrists. Most scientists are inclined to believe that the leading factors provoking the disease are:
- intrauterine infection;
- brain injuries during childbirth;
- traumatic brain injuries;
- hereditary factor (genetic);
- intoxication of the developing fetus during pregnancy;
- toxic effects on the fetus in the first trimester (smoking, drugs, alcohol);
- congenital hormonal imbalance(excess testosterone, unstable cortisol levels);
- maternal autoimmune reaction of the body (this provokes an abnormality in brain development in the child);
- consequences of unsuccessful vaccination (high mercury content, preservatives), creating an unbearable burden on children's immunity.
Advanced computer diagnostics and specific medical and psychological testing help to more accurately identify the cause of the pathology.
Is the syndrome dangerous?
Asperger's disorder is not a health risk. If pathology is identified at an early age, with the help of psychologists such a child can be adapted and helped to painlessly integrate into the surrounding society. The disease can cause harm to adults due to antisocialization, namely:
- It prevents a person from finding his own place and purpose.
- Calls severe depression due to loneliness and constant anxiety.
- May provoke the development of fears and phobias. Such disorders are persistent and difficult to correct.
Treatment for Asperger's Syndrome
The main task of parents is to try to instill social and communication skills in their child.. Learn to adapt and accept the variability of everyday life.
The main methods of treatment for Asperger's syndrome come down to psychological training and courses aimed at increasing people's adaptive qualities to society. Treatment takes place under constant supervision of a psychiatrist.
Besides psychological treatment, patients are prescribed a medication course consisting of sedatives. In some cases, taking antidepressants is appropriate. It is impossible to completely get rid of such a problem. But with proper therapy, a person with Aspie can be adapted by adjusting his perception of reality.
Then a person with Asperger syndrome will independently strive to overcome communication difficulties, trying to work with social problems on one's own.
Asperger's syndrome is a form of autism that is a lifelong dysfunction that affects the way a person perceives the world, processes information, and relates to other people. Autism is often described as a "spectrum disorder" because the condition affects people in different ways and to varying degrees.
Asperger's syndrome is basically a "hidden dysfunction". This means that you cannot tell if someone has Asperger's syndrome by their appearance. People with this disorder experience difficulties in three main areas. These include:
- social communication
- social interaction
- social imagination
They are often called the "triad of disorders", more detailed description presented below.
When we meet people, we can usually form our own opinions about them. We can tell from their facial expressions, tone of voice and body language whether they are happy, angry or sad and react accordingly.
People with Asperger's syndrome have a harder time interpreting signs such as intonation, facial expressions, and gestures that most people take for granted. This means they have a harder time communicating and interacting with others, which can leave them feeling very anxious, restless and confused.
Although there are some similarities to classic autism, in contrast, people with Asperger's syndrome have less severe language problems and often have average or above average intelligence. They usually do not have the underlying learning disability associated with autism, but they may still have some learning difficulties. These may include dyslexia, apraxia (dyspraxia), or other disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and epilepsy.
With the right support and stimulation, people with Asperger's syndrome can lead full and independent lives.
Three main difficulties
The characteristics of Asperger's syndrome vary from one individual to another, but generally fall into three main groups.
Difficulties with social communication
People with Asperger's syndrome sometimes find it difficult to express themselves emotionally and socially. For example:
- they have difficulty understanding gestures, facial expressions, or tone of voice
- they have difficulty determining when to start or end a conversation or choose a topic to talk about
- they use complex words and phrases but do not fully understand what they mean
- they can be very literal and have difficulty understanding jokes, anecdotes, metaphors and sarcasm.
To help the person with Asperger's syndrome understand you better, try to be clear and concise.
Difficulty with social interaction
Many people with Asperger's syndrome want to be social but have difficulty initiating and maintaining social relationships, which can cause them significant anxiety and agitation. People with this disorder may:
- have difficulty creating and maintaining friendships
- don't understand the unwritten" social norms" that most of us take in without thinking. For example, they may stand too close to another person, or start an inappropriate topic of conversation
- find other people unpredictable and confusing
- become withdrawn and give the impression of indifference and indifference to other people, seem almost aloof in appearance
- behave in such a way that from the outside it may look incorrect
Difficulties with social imagination
People with Asperger's syndrome may be imaginative in the traditional sense. For example, many of them become writers, artists and musicians. But people with Asperger's syndrome may have difficulty with social imagination. For example:
- difficulty imagining alternative outcomes of situations and predicting what might happen next
- Difficulty understanding and representing other people's points of view
- difficulty interpreting other people's thoughts, feelings, and actions. Subtle messages conveyed through facial expressions and body language are often missed
- availability of limited creative activity, which can be strictly sequential and repeating
Some children with Asperger's syndrome may have difficulty playing games that involve pretending to be someone else. They may prefer activities that are logical and systematic, such as mathematics.
Other distinctive features Asperger's syndrome
Love of a certain order
In an attempt to make the world less disordered and confusing, people with Asperger's syndrome may establish rules and routines that they insist on. Young children, for example, may insist on always taking the same route to school. In class, they are upset by sudden changes in the schedule. People with Asperger's syndrome often prefer to structure their daily routines according to a certain pattern. For example, if they work specific hours, unexpected delays to or from work can make them feel anxious, worried, or upset.
Special passion
People with Asperger's syndrome may have a strong, sometimes obsessive, interest in hobbies or collecting. Sometimes these interests persist throughout life, in other cases, one interest is replaced by an unrelated interest. For example, a person with Asperger's syndrome might focus on learning everything there is to know about trains or computers. Some of them have exceptional knowledge in their chosen field of activity. Given incentives, interests and skills can be developed so that people with Asperger's syndrome can study or work in their favorite activities.
Sensory difficulties
People with Asperger's syndrome may have sensory difficulties. They can manifest themselves in one or all senses (sight, hearing, smell, touch or taste). The degree of difficulty varies from one person to another. Most often, a person’s senses are either enhanced (hypersensitive) or underdeveloped (insensitive). For example, bright lights, loud noises, overpowering odors, the specific texture of food, and the surface of certain materials can cause anxiety and pain for people with Asperger's syndrome.
People with sensory sensitivities also have a harder time using their body's sensing system in their environment. This system tells us where our bodies are. Thus, those with impaired body awareness have a more difficult time moving between rooms, avoiding obstacles, standing at an appropriate distance from other people, and performing fine motor tasks such as tying shoelaces. Some people with Asperger's syndrome may sway or spin to maintain balance or to better cope with stress.
Who suffers from Asperger's syndrome?
There are more than half a million people with autism spectrum disorder in the UK - that's around one in every hundred people (about 1% of the population). People with Asperger's syndrome can come from all nationalities, cultures, social backgrounds and religions. However, as a rule, this disorder is more common in men than in women; the reason for this is unknown.
Causes and treatment
What are the causes of Asperger's syndrome?
The exact cause of Asperger's syndrome is still being studied. However, research suggests that a combination of factors—genetic and environmental—can cause changes in brain development.
Asperger's syndrome is not the result of people's upbringing, their social circumstances, or the fault of the person with the disorder.
Can it be cured?
There is currently no cure for Asperger's syndrome and no special treatment. Children with Asperger's syndrome become adults with Asperger's syndrome. However, as understanding of the disorder improves and services continue to develop, people with Asperger's syndrome are better able to realize their potential.
There are several approaches, treatments and measures that can improve a person's quality of life. For example, these could be methods based on the development of communication, behavioral therapy and changing your diet.