Asperger’s syndrome, also called Asperger’s disorder, is a pervasive developmental disorder, which means that it is a condition involving the delay of basic skills, such as socializing, communicating, and using one’s imagination. Although considered an Autism Spectrum Disorder, Asperger’s syndrome does not have many of the same symptoms as Autism. Children and teens with Asperger’s syndrome are high functioning, and have normal intelligence. Their language development skills are nearly normal, with some problems occurring into adulthood.
Spotting Asperger’s syndrome
Because each person is different, not all individuals with Asperger’s syndrome show the same characteristics. However, many people with Asperger’s show symptoms such as:
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- Communication difficulties: Some people with Asperger’s syndrome have trouble making eye contact during conversation, and have trouble understanding language out of its original context. They are very literal with their use of language.
- Coordination problems: May be clumsy, bump into things a lot
- Intense interests: Some children with Asperger’s become fixated on one or two topics such as dinosaurs, the weather, or airplanes and only want to speak to people about that topic.
- Problems socializing: People with Asperger’s often feel awkward in social situations and don’t know how to start or carry on a conversation. They may have trouble making friends.
No longer an official diagnosis
Although many people still use the term “Asperger’s”, Asperger’s syndrome is no longer considered a valid diagnosis and was expunged from the DSM V. Some clinicians were not applying the diagnosis consistently, arbitrarily diagnosing children with Asperger’s or autism, even though some had similar test scores and profiles. Although the diagnosis of Asperger’s is no longer valid, many people still identify as having Asperger’s because they feel they fit all the criteria.
Seven Stars can help your teen
If your teen with Asperger’s syndrome is having a tough time socially and emotionally, Seven Stars can help. With a combination of residential treatment and wilderness adventure therapy, Seven Stars helps teens ages 13-17 with neurodevelopmental disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, Asperger’s, ADHD, and learning disorders. With a caring, experienced staff, Seven Stars can help your teen overcome their social anxieties and work well in a social environment.
For more information about Seven Stars, please call 844-601-1167.
