How do you know if your child has Asperger's Syndrome?

Answer 1

A person with Aspergers' Syndrome will not talk much, not be very brave or courageous, he'll be normally nervous, sometimes talk back, and not be very reasonable in minor cases.

In major cases, they're basically vegetables, they have zero concern or respect for anyone they don't like, they like to think that they know everything, they bully, and normally gang up on someone without Aspergers' or someone with a minor case.

A:

I am an adult with Asperger's and since being diagnosed I can now tell if others have the condition. I believe that there will be many people like myself who never knew about Asperger's itself let alone know that they have the condition. Asperger's covers a wide range of 'symptoms' 'difficulties' and 'oddities'. Adults with Asperger's generally don't like working in teams unless their role in the team is clearly defined and it is one where they feel confident. Sometimes an adult with Aspergers will repeat themselves in conversations, answer questions inappropriately. Social interaction is difficult because non verbal communication is often not understood. Although the diagnostic criteria and other professionals talk about 'special interests' many people with Asperger's dont in fact have these. However they may go through a period of time having obsessions about certain things. I will describe some of my own personal difficulties, visual spacial, often getting lost, not understanding if people are being serious or joking, unable to multi task (I am a female), very few friendships, easily upset with things like plans changing, people being late,

Answer 2

Don't worry about Asperger's Syndrome, it is usually quite minor. In a severe form you would notice autism-like symptoms. Your doctor will be able to tell. (If not certain then they will refer you to a specialist) Asperger's is more likely to affect boys than girls and is genetic. (Do other people in the family have it? If not then your child is unlikely to have it.)

A:

Asperger's Syndrome is not "usually quite minor". It is a myth that Asperger's Syndrome is a mild form of autism; both conditions range from mild to severe. Many people with Asperger's Syndrome can seem only slightly odd or different, but have problems that cause great difficulties for them. The rate of suicide for Asperger's Syndrome is significantly greater than for those who are neuro-typical. Almost all people with Asperger's Syndrome will exhibit some autism symptoms (since the symptoms of both conditions are very similar), but they might be able to adapt to some difficulties because of their intelligence and thus appear to have fewer problems.

Children with Asperger's Syndrome often have atypical eye contact. They might play next to other children without playing with them. They often have difficulty making friends and might confuse the concept of friendship (labeling acquaintances and classmates as friends). They often interact more readily with those who are younger or older than they are than with their peers. They might have atypical speech patterns, such as less intonation or unusual word patterns. They often interpret what is said literally. They have difficulty understanding nonverbal language so might misinterpret what another person meant. They might have motor control problems, making them appear clumsy or careless.

Asperger's Syndrome has a genetic component, but that can be a gene that spontaneously mutates in the fetus, rather than one inherited from a parent. Often, a few traits of autism or Asperger's Syndrome are seen in other family members when it is inherited from a parent, but those relatives do not necessarily have autism or Asperger's Syndrome. See the link in "Related Questions" for a list of symptoms of Asperger's Syndrome.

Answer 3

If you are an adult and need an official diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome, find a professional who has experience diagnosing Asperger's Syndrome in adults. Most professionals do not have experience with adults with Asperger's Syndrome.

If you do not need an official diagnosis, check the list of characteristics at an autism or Asperger's Syndrome website (or the related question "What are the signs of Asperger's Syndrome?" in the section below), discuss it with family for their feedback, and decide for yourself. There are many people who are self-diagnosed as having Asperger's Syndrome. It would not be official or conclusive, but it could help you and your family better understand the situation. Two books I would recommend for general information about Asperger's Syndrome, which might be available at your local library, are:

* The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome (2007) by Tony Attwood * The Oasis Guide to Asperger Syndrome: Advice, Support, Insights, and Inspiration (revised 2005) by Patricia Romanowski Bashe and Barbara L. Kirby Be aware that most books on Asperger's Syndrome are written for parents of children with the condition, so I recommend reading the descriptions and reviews before purchasing them or first perusing them at a bookstore or library. I recommend these two because of the wealth of information about characteristics of Asperger's Syndrome and for covering various other important aspects such as what is known about the cause and methods that have been tried as treatments.

I also recommend reading through the diagnostic criteria for Asperger's Syndrome, although some experts believe the official criteria need refinement. If you do not fit one aspect of the criteria, do not assume the diagnosis is ruled out, but do not neglect considering alternate diagnoses. Also, although you might feel that you do not meet one of the criteria, your family might think it describes you perfectly, so be sure to ask.

One activity that has caused some people to realize that they have Asperger's Syndrome is reading an autobiography of a person with Asperger's Syndrome, realizing that they relate to the experiences of that person and the way that person looks at the world. Here are a few of those - ones I have - but there are many others:

* Freaks, Geeks, and Asperger Syndrome: A User Guide to Adolescence (2002) by Luke Jackson * Congratulations! It's Asperger Syndrome (2003) by Jen Birch * Songs of the Gorilla Nation: My Journey Through Autism (2004) by Dawn Prince-Hughes * Thinking in Pictures, Expanded Edition: My Life with Autism (revised 2006) by Temple Grandin or other books she has written

Luke Jackson was thirteen when he wrote his book, but you might be able to relate to his issues with Asperger's Syndrome during adolescence. Temple Grandin was diagnosed with autism as a child, but now it is suspected that she has Asperger's Syndrome instead.

I know of two fiction books featuring protagonists with Asperger's Syndrome (or autism) with whom a person with Asperger's Syndrome might relate:

* The Speed of Dark (2004) by Elizabeth Moon

* The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time(2004) by Mark Haddon I have included links to the home pages of a few organizations that provide information about Asperger's Syndrome. These sites provide information such as the characteristics of Asperger's Syndrome, obtaining diagnoses, current research, adult issues, recommended books, and related disorders. For links to more specific pages, check for related links under a more specific question, such as "What are the diagnostic criteria for Asperger's Syndrome?" For links to more home pages of organizations, refer to the question "Where can you find information on Asperger's Syndrome?"

Answer 4

Some of symptoms of autism include:

he/she has difficulty paying attention

poor reading skills

he/she takes a long time completing many tasks

poor sense of direction

low writing skills

Their thoughts can be poorly organized

Difficulty recalling stories, etc.

continues to ask for things to be repeated

poor organization and generally moves in a slow manner