How Do Autism and Aspergers Relate?

This is quite a common question. How do Autismchildren with Aspergers Syndrome are rarely
and Aspergers relate? Well, for starters, theydiagnosed by then.
both come under the same broad category -Another point that is of interest when you
Pervasive Development Disorders, or Autismconsider the question, "How do Autism and
Spectrum Disorders. Autism is the mostAspergers relate?" is language. Children with
commonly recognized of these disorders, thoughAutism are diagnosed fairly early because of the
there are similarities and differences when youtrouble they have with language. They find
consider Autism and Aspergers Syndrome. Thesespeech, and grasping the idea of words and
similarities and differences are the answer to theletters, very difficult. Children with Aspergers
question, "How do Autism and Aspergers relate?"Syndrome do not have this problem - they grasp
The first thing to be said in answer to thethe idea of language fairly easily, like children with
question, "How do Autism and Aspergers relate?"no disorders do. By the time they reach the age
is that social interaction and communication skillsof two, they are fine with words, like most
will be severely compromised in children withchildren, and by the time they are three, they
Autism and in children with Aspergers Syndrome.progress to phrases. This is one reason
Once of the most prominent signs that a childAspergers Syndrome can be difficult to diagnose.
might be suffering from Aspergers Syndrome isOne very important part of the answer to the
an interest in a very narrow subject, with noquestion, "How do Autism and Aspergers relate?"
apparent interest in anything that might lead fromis how they should be treated. They should be
it.treated with love and affection, because they see
For example, a child might spend hours learningthe world very differently from the way we do,
about the pterodactyl and not be interested in theand the world sees them differently, too. They
least in a tyrannosaurus. Or a child mighthave to know that they are safe and cared for,
memorize the model numbers of cars and yeteven if they might not seem to care. Imagine a
not in the least be interested in racing or in bikes.world you cannot understand, and having to live in
These are symptoms that become evident byit - that is how these children feel every day.
the time the child is five or six years old, but