| Copyright (c) 2009 Bonita Darula | | | | communication difficulties, those with Asperger's |
| Although many experts disagree about a precise | | | | syndrome are much better at speaking, but will |
| definition, the difference between autism and | | | | find it difficult to skillfully exhibit their abilities in a |
| Asperger's syndrome seems to be a matter of | | | | social situation, play and physical activity. |
| severity and is tied to communication issues. | | | | Some experts define Asperger's syndrome as |
| Autism is known as a "spectrum" illness, as it has | | | | simply autism with a functioning language, whilst |
| a wide variety of symptoms and associated | | | | others believe that they are two distinct issues. |
| conditions, the most common elements involve | | | | Autism, they say, is a left brain illness, whilst |
| poor or impaired social skills, a very narrow | | | | Aspergers is an affliction of the right brain. It may |
| interest range and sensory problems. | | | | be possible to help differentiate between the two |
| Autistic patients exhibit very rigid behavior with | | | | by observing early communication skills. For |
| limited imagination. Autism is also characterized by | | | | example, monitor your child's development each |
| limited verbal and non-verbal communication skills | | | | year and see whether he or she has the correct |
| and difficulty in understanding or comprehending | | | | range of language at that age. |
| typical social relationships. When faced with social | | | | An Asperger child often becomes obsessed with |
| interaction, for example, they may appear to be | | | | things, and this can range from statistics to |
| indifferent or will implement repetitive functions or | | | | obscure or little known facts. As this obsessive |
| comments as a response mechanism. Their | | | | behavior can sometimes take over control, it can |
| listening skills are usually poor. | | | | lead to impaired development within the social |
| Asperger's syndrome is basically a less severe | | | | arena. Many experts believe that children with |
| form of autism. While the characteristics of the | | | | autism can improve and take on the |
| base illness remain, individuals with Asperger's | | | | characteristics of children with Asperger's |
| syndrome seem to be relatively good at | | | | syndrome and become virtually indistinguishable in |
| expressing themselves, can have average or | | | | comparison. |
| above-average IQ and will not always experience | | | | It is very important to conduct individual |
| or display learning difficulties. As a result, it is often | | | | assessments and correctly diagnose your toddler, |
| not possible to diagnose the syndrome until after | | | | as there's a very wide range of individual |
| the child is at least five years old. You may notice | | | | disorders within the overall spectrum. Some |
| subtle signs, however, such as the tantrums daily | | | | children might require very specialist care for |
| routine, which is often a way for the Asperger's | | | | extended periods of time, whilst others may |
| child to exhibit serious frustration and can be far | | | | successfully be integrated within a mainstream |
| more noticeable and severe than if it were | | | | school. The debate will no doubt continue as |
| exhibited by a healthy child. | | | | experts try to more fully define the difference |
| Whereas children with autism suffer from intense | | | | between autism and Asperger's syndrome. |