Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Aspergers in Adults, Teens, and Children -- More Symptoms!

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The most major symptom of aspergers (either in children, teen, and adults) is a significant problem with social situations -- though there are also other possible symptoms and signs that can appear! The symptoms (most of them) also can persist through the teen years. The social skills in teens with apergers may be able to successful improve, but in many cases communication still remains difficult. What else you need to know about aspergers in adults, teens, and children?

You might also like to know more about treatments options for aspergers, before continuing!

In general, aspergers has the wide variety of signs -- in other words, there is almost no two patients with aspergers (especially in children) are alike. Furthermore, it is categorized into a group of developmental problems what we call as pervasive developmental disorders (PDD) or also more familiar called as autistic spectrum disorders (ASD).

In many cases, the traits or symptoms of aspergers can be noticed during childhood, particularly when children begin their preschool (the time when they start to interact with other new friends). Some signs of autism may appear, but kids with aspergers usually don’t have problems associated with intellectual & language development. 

Aspergers in adults

The good news, this developmental problem is more likely to improve and stabilize better over time, but however it is a lifelong condition. Unlike aspergers in children and teens, adults with aspergers may have a better analysis & understanding of their own weakness and strength, and many of them marry and have kids. They may also have better social skills, including the skills to read & learn other’s social cues.

Moreover, there are also some typical traits of aspergers (particularly like focused interests and attention to detail) that may increase chances of success in university and career. One of common careers for people with aspergers is engineering, and they seem to be more stunned /fascinated with science and technology. 

Some popular figures (such as Thomas Jefferson and Albert Einstein) have had some typical traits of aspergers.

Asperger’s syndrome in teens

Most or some signs of aspergers in children can persist through adolescent and teen years, particularly problems in ‘reading’ other’s behavior.

Like other normal teens, teens with aspergers also want to have a lot of friends and a good social skill to communicate with others, but they tends to feel shy /intimidated when communicating or approaching other teens. 

These problems may also lead to excessively anxiety or depression -- and also will make patient become withdrawn, and become socially isolated! Nevertheless, some teens with aspergers may also have a few close teen friends during school years.

Like aspergers in adults, some traits of aspergers in teens may also give some benefits.  They may become an individual with more creative thinking and focus to their original interests & goals -- because they tend to be uninterested in participating /following conventional thinking, fads, or social norms. Therefore, there is higher chance for them to excel in the classroom.

Symptoms of aspergers’s syndrome in children

There are many aspergers symptoms. But a condition when a child who has 1 or 2 these symptoms, doesn’t not mean he/she has this developmental disorder! To be diagnosed with it, a child must experience a combination of symptoms or have a significant problem with social situations.

The aspergers symptoms in children may include:
  1. Have a lack of empathy.
  2. They tend to dislike any changes in their routine. 
  3. Difficulty in recognizing subtle differences in accent, pitch and tone! When speaking, they are more likely to have a flat speech. They also tend to be difficult in understanding a joke.
  4. Sometimes they may express unusual postures or facial expressions.
  5. Avoid a directly contact (eye contact) at others.
  6. Have one-sided conversations! They may also talk a lot when talking a certain object (their favorite object). They may also have more verbalized internal thoughts.
  7. Have poor motor development! Children with aspergers are more likely to have a delay progression in learning or using certain objects, such as late in learning to ride a bike, catch objects or ball, or use a spoon or fork.
  8. Have one or few interests, which will make them become very knowledgeable about a certain topic that they like! Furthermore, they are more likely to love unusual activities.
  9. Have poor social skills, which may include poor skill to maintain /start a conversation and understand other’s body language.
  10. Children with aspergers may also experience increased sensitivity, and this can become over-stimulated by lights, strong textures /tastes, or loud noises. Ask with a doctor for more in-depth information about this issue!
  11. Lack of interest to play with other friends.
  12. They may also speak with a formal style. For instance, they may prefer using the word “return” & “beckon” rather than “come back” & “call”! But they typically don’t have significantly language delays.
Additionally, since this developmental disorder widely varies in symptoms and severity, the diagnosis of aspergers is not easy! Moreover, there is a chance for doctor to make a misdiagnosis because there are also other developmental disorders (such as obsessive-compulsive disorder or ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder)) that can generate the similar signs of aspergers.
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Reference: HealthWise