Around 37 million people have Aspergers syndrome, a condition that’s today more correctly known as an autism spectrum disorder. It’s characterized by a lack of social skills, difficulty expressing emotions and a tendency to carry out the same behavior or task over again. The good news is that there are various methods of Aspergers treatment, and many of those who have Aspergers are extremely high functioning. The earlier the intervention occurs in a child diagnosed with Aspergers, the more likely it is to be effective.
The more common options for Aspergers treatment tend to focus on improving social and behavioral skills, as well as improving overall communication. If you’re a parent of a child with Aspergers, you probably spend a lot of time teaching your child social skills. Therapy for anyone with Aspergers often included individual or group sessions in which children are taught to model more appropriate social behavior. Treatment may also include speech therapy; learning not to talk in a flat monotone, which is often a characteristic of those with Aspergers, but varying the tone when talking. Encouraging positive behavior and trying to discourage negative behavior comes under the name of applied behavior analysis; it’s something many parents do without being aware of it.
Although there is no medication that will specifically treat Aspergers, some medications can be used to alleviate some of the symptoms associated with the condition, such as anxiety or depression. ADHD and OCD often accompany Aspergers and these can be effectively controlled with medication, as can bipolar disorder. Problems sleeping are common with children with Aspergers, and Melatonin can help to improve sleep in children. There are also various natural treatments that may or may not work; it all depends on the individual. Massage therapy and acupuncture may help, as well as some herbal supplements, although you should always talk to your doctor before administering these. Some parents claim a specialized diet works, and can help with some of the issues associated with Aspergers, while others claim that animal therapy is beneficial, in which a child relies on an animal for companionship and interaction.
If your child has Aspergers, it can be controlled quite effectively, and there is no reason why your child shouldn’t excel at school and at life in general. Alfred Hitchcock, Dan Ackroyd and Daryl Hannah are just some of the famous names who have overcome their condition and have refused to let it hinder them.
