| This article sets out to outline many of the | | | | be if you say to someone with Aspergers "I laughed |
| characteristics of Aspergers syndrome in such a way | | | | my head off" they may become alarmed believing that |
| that the information can easily be shared with others. | | | | your head really did come off of your body. It can be |
| Autistic Spectrum Disorder (autism) is a life-long | | | | very hard for people with Aspergers to understand |
| developmental disability that affects social and | | | | when someone is joking and that is why they may |
| communication skills. Each person with autism displays | | | | become angry or upset by something you have said |
| different symptoms and behavior; some people with | | | | that wasn't meant to be hurtful. |
| autism remain non-verbal and will need life-long care. | | | | Social Understanding: This means knowing what to do |
| Other people with the condition live independent lives, | | | | when you are with other people. People with |
| hold down careers, go to university, get married and | | | | Aspergers have difficulty understanding social |
| have children. | | | | relationships, they do not understand all the rules |
| Aspergers syndrome is a form of autism that was | | | | involved in social relationships. As we grow up we |
| defined by an Austrian pediatrician over 50 years ago. | | | | learn how to behave appropriately in certain situations, |
| People with Aspergers syndrome are usually at this | | | | for example we learn not to say things to people like |
| more 'able' end of the spectrum. Like autism, | | | | "you look fat" (unless we are deliberately trying to be |
| Aspergers syndrome, seems to be caused by a | | | | hurtful). A person with AS usually doesn't meant to be |
| biological difference in the brain's development. In many | | | | rude, even though it can sometimes appear so, it's |
| cases there appears to be a genetic cause; there are | | | | because their understanding of how to behave is |
| many cases of autism and Aspergers syndrome | | | | confused. |
| running in the same family. One study has estimated | | | | Imagination This is the ability to think about things that |
| that 3 to 7 in 1,000 people have AS. People with | | | | aren't real. Children with Aspergers syndrome tend not |
| Aspergers syndrome share many of the same | | | | to be interested in games that involve pretending to be |
| characteristics as people with autism but they usually | | | | someone else (like cops and robbers). Some children |
| do not have any accompanying learning disabilities. | | | | with Aspergers can be very interested in things that |
| Explaining Aspergers syndrome isn't easy, no matter | | | | aren't interesting to other children or exclude social |
| who you are talking to! It's not something that can be | | | | interaction. They may like collecting items that seem |
| described in a single, snappy sentence! There are | | | | dull or unusual to us. |
| problems because you cannot tell by looking at | | | | There are also websites that provide a great deal of |
| someone if they have Aspergers syndrome. Also | | | | information about the condition. A good one is Sibnet, |
| because the causes of Aspergers are yet to be | | | | set up by the Seattle Children's Hospital Project. Sibnet |
| clearly identified it can sometimes be difficult convincing | | | | is specifically for siblings of disabled children and is for |
| people that the condition actually exists. You could try | | | | both young siblings and adult brothers and sisters. The |
| by explaining that, people with Aspergers basically | | | | site contains information and resources for siblings of |
| have problems in 3 major areas. This is usually part of | | | | disabled children and allows them to subscribe to the |
| the criteria for diagnosing Aspergers syndrome. These | | | | site - a place where they can share information and |
| areas are: | | | | discuss issues they may be facing. |
| Social communication: This means knowing what to | | | | This article set out to provide a simple 'user friendly' |
| say to other people and understanding the meaning of | | | | overview of the indicators of Aspergers Syndrome in |
| what they are saying to you. Just imagine how many | | | | such a way that you could explain it to other people |
| times a day the basics of social communication come | | | | who might have no idea what the condition was. |
| into your child's life; at the shops, at home, at school, in | | | | Providing people with a simple and straightforward |
| the street. People with Aspergers Syndrome can | | | | account of the condition will help them to understand |
| have problems when talking to other people as they | | | | the condition better, and provide you and your family |
| can take things people say literally. An example would | | | | with a much needed support network! |