The Asperger syndrome is a neurobiological disorder that is part of the autism spectrum. The exact cause of this condition is unknown, although many experts believe that it is likely hereditary. Although the Asperger syndrome can affect people of all races and socioeconomic levels, it is met three to four times more often among men.
Characteristic manifestations of Asperger syndrome
People suffering from Asperger’s syndrome may present various symptoms throughout their lives, but most are not identified until adulthood. In the first years of life, children with this syndrome have a normal cognitive and behavioral development.
During childhood, people who have Asperger syndrome may have different and unusual interests from those of other children and some may be marginalized at school. Children with Asperger syndrome are unable to be expressive and have difficulty interpreting nonverbal language. Another feature is their obsessive passion for music.
Other signs of Asperger’s syndrome in children are repetitive behavior, failure of good behavior and concentration problems. Children with autistic spectrum disorders cannot understand gestures and tonal differences.
In childhood, children suffering from Asperger syndrome can have early learning failures in reading and mathematics. This is because they absorb only a part of the instructions, the nonverbal ones.
Adults with the Asperger syndrome have difficulty developing social relationships, to understand the subtleties of communication, body language or facial expressions and rarely show their affection for others. They are disrespectful and rude, because they cannot understand what are the expectations of appropriate social behaviors and find it difficult to see the feelings of those around them. People suffering from Asperger syndrome lack social and emotional reciprocity.
Although this syndrome is associated with autism, those diagnosed with Asperger syndrome have other developmental delays. They have an intelligence level from normal to medium and do not fit into the specific criteria of other pervasive developmental disorders. In fact, people diagnosed with Asperger syndrome can develop in adulthood the ability to focus intensely, their logical thinking and exceptional math or science skills.
Early diagnosis and interventional therapy from an early age may help increase theacademic and social levels. Cognitive behavioral therapy, speech therapy, and other therapies can help alleviate many of the manifestations of this condition.
If the people who suffer from the Asperger syndrome are empathetic and learn to understand the feelings of others, they can start a family, work and lead an independent life.