Asperger’s Syndrome (part 2)
There are no “hard” diagnostic tests for Asperger’s. The diagnosis is made through observation and reports from parents, teachers, etc. The majority of children with Asperger’s are diagnosed between the ages of 5 and 11 although a diagnosis may not be made until adulthood.
There is no “cure” for Asperger’s Syndrome, however there are interventions that can yield positive results:
- parental education
- teacher education
- behavioural approaches
- training of social skills (ABA,IBI)
- medications to relieve some of the symptoms (hyperactivity, irritability, aggression, compulsions, anxiety, depression)
What Can a Parent Do?
- have your child evaluated by a qualified medical doctor
- develop an Individual Educational Plan (IEP) with your child’s school
- ensure ALL adults working with your child are educated about Asperger’s
- think about “where do you want your child to be in the next 5, 10, 15 years” and plan and teach him/her the required skills
Individual with Asperger’s Syndrome perceive the world differently and many behaviours that seem odd, unusual or inappropriate are due to neurological differences and are NOT the result of intentional rudeness or bad behaviour and are most certainly not the result of bad parenting.