Asperger's syndrome is a developmental disorder which was first identified by a German doctor, Hans Asperger, in 1944. The most common symptoms of this disorder include
- Uncomfortable in social situations, and unable to maintaining eye contact
- Lack facial and emotional expressions
- A dull or repetitive vocal pitch
- Lack of motor coordination
- Unusual body posturing and gestures
Common Traits of Children Suffering from Asperger's Disorder
1. Children suffering from Asperger's disorder insist on routines and or rituals.
2. They are often stubborn about sticking to a specific order of events like rituals before dressing or before leaving the home.
3. Some children may be stubborn to the extent of choosing to wear the same outfit day after day.
4. Children with this disorder often like to spin objects and watch them until the movement ceases.
5. Such children tend to become deeply attached to certain possessions and normally express their displeasure when they are taken to an unfamiliar place. Similarly they become uncomfortable if left in the company of people other than their normal care givers.
Early Signs of Asperger's Disorder in Small Children
1. Although a child suffering from this syndrome may start talking at the average age, her walking may be delayed.
2. Clumsy and awkward movement of the body
3. Odd and unusual behavior not conforming to that of a normal child of that age
4. Severe Sensory issues
Children with Asperger's although socially aware often exhibit inappropriate reciprocal interaction. Their voice may sound to be emotionless and flat. These children usually prefer to participate in conversations involving self or on their favorite subject only.
Children suffering from this syndrome find it difficult to understand other people's expressions and gestures. At times they even misinterpret or ignore non-verbal signs. In extreme cases they may gaze into another person's face, looking for meaning that they are unable to understand.
A child with this syndrome can have absolutely normal cognitive development. Similarly they pick up language skills also easily just like any other child of their age. They may however have difficulties in specific areas like reading, writing or math. A number of such children do get passionate about complex topics like music, history or patterns.
Is Asperger's Disorder Hereditary?
There is some research evidence to suggest that this disorder may be hereditary. It has been noted that in case of many children suffering from this syndrome there is already a first or second degree relative on either side of the family suffering from this disorder. Medical research is yet to identify the precise means by which the disorder gets transmitted. The greatest advantage of the syndrome being hereditary is the support which can be provided to the child by the relative who has already put up with the symptoms of the syndrome.
Do Children Suffering from Asperger's Syndrome Need to Attend a Special School?
Special education & early intervention may be rare to find for such children because of limited knowledge on Asperger's. Educational intervention is in fact necessary and should be introduced as early as possible for such children. These children normally are good at memory tasks. Rote memory is a skill with the help of which children remember letters, numbers, colors and other sequence. Hence rote teaching should be adopted while educating these children.
Most children suffering from this syndrome do not need to attend a special school. In fact some of these children perform well in schools for normal children. Hence educational needs and progress of children with Asperger's syndrome depends to a very large extent upon the understanding and skills of the teacher.
