| Asperger syndrome is a condition that | | | | of figurative language skills including idioms, |
| increasingly, many children are diagnosed with. It is | | | | multi-meaning words, jokes, teasing, etc. It is |
| classified under pervasive developmental disorder | | | | found that the best way in which to do this is |
| (PDD). Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) is | | | | through the use of visual aids. |
| essentially a group of disorders characterized by | | | | Your Asperger child may also have some sensory |
| delayed development in several basic functions of | | | | processing difficulties. These can result in atypical |
| a person. Delayed development also includes | | | | responses for your child. This is because your child |
| socialization and communication. These delays can | | | | has difficulty in organizing his sensory input |
| be seen as early as infancy. Hence, your child can | | | | because he may be experiencing both |
| be diagnosed with an asperger syndrome even | | | | hypersensitive and hyposensitive responses. |
| before he turns 3-years-old if the signs are | | | | These responses can cause your child to |
| obvious enough. | | | | experience stress and anxiety whenever he is |
| There are 5 different types of PDD. Asperger | | | | trying to evaluate his environment properly. |
| Syndrome is a high functioning form of autism or | | | | Difficulties in this area can also really decrease |
| developmental disorder. If your child has Asperger | | | | your child's ability to stay focused. |
| Syndrome, he will have at least normal intellectual | | | | Autistic children also have a tendency to blurt out |
| capacity but may be lacking in the area of social | | | | their thoughts as statements of factual |
| development. | | | | information. This can cause your child to appear |
| Unfortunately there is no known cure for this | | | | insensitive but your child simply does not realise |
| condition. However, if there is early intervention in | | | | that there are some thoughts and ideas that |
| helping your child learn socialization and | | | | should not be put to words. So, be aware that |
| communication skills, he can learn to adjust and be | | | | your child may not be socially aware of what he |
| able to function normally. | | | | is saying. |
| Your Asperger child will usually interpret auditory | | | | Your child is going to need to have a therapist |
| information literally. He may also have delays in | | | | help him to adjust socially. He will exhibit social |
| processing auditory information and while he may | | | | difficulties and need to learn appropriate strategies |
| be able to comprehend the auditory information, it | | | | and some modified behaviour so that he can |
| may takes effort and time for him to process | | | | socialize nicely. If he understands and learns what |
| this information before he is able to respond. Your | | | | he can do, and how to make and keep friends, he |
| child may also have difficulty following multi-step | | | | will be much more well adjusted and happier. It is |
| auditory directions. | | | | found that the best results can be obtained when |
| Knowing these things should prepare you to | | | | you, as a parent, work closely with the therapist |
| provide your child with concrete explanations | | | | to address the unique and challenging needs of |
| whenever necessary. It is also important for you | | | | your child. |
| to focus on increasing your child's comprehension | | | | |