Saturday 13 August 2011


Treatment for Asperger's Syndrome

This article serves as a quick guide to help you understand the various aspects on the treatment for Asperger's syndrome which, by some estimates is known to affect two out of every 10,000 children.
There is this group of neurological disorders that affect a person's ability to interact socially, and his communication skills. This group is known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Pervasive Development Disorder (PDD). And Asperger's syndrome, or simply known as Asperger's, is known to be rated as a milder disorder amongst this group. People with this disorder, suffer from a difficulty in socializing and impaired communication skills, and also by a pattern of thoughts and behavior that are restrictive and repetitive. Although, doctors may associate the nature of a person suffering from Asperger's syndrome with an autistic person, the former is typically in a better state than the latter. Unlike an autistic person, the person with Asperger's has normal intelligence, and some degree of language development. However, with age, these might get affected. According to most experts, better results can be obtained if the treatment for Asperger's syndrome begins early. With the help of appropriate treatment, the patient can be helped to avoid undesirable behavior, and function successfully in social situations. Let us learn more about the treatment plan for Asperger's syndrome, from the below compilation.

Treatment for Aperger's Syndrome: Facts

Asperger's syndrome begins in childhood and parents are most likely to be the first to notice its symptoms. The main goal of the treatment is to address and to improve the main symptoms of this disorder. Although the core symptoms cannot be cured, as I said, early, specialized, and proper medical intervention has been able to help many children grow into adults who are no different than other normal people. With the help of treatment, affected children may improve their poor communication skills, avoid routines that are obsessive or repetitive, and also get a hold on physical clumsiness and other occupational issues. The different plans set up for the treatment for Asperger's syndrome include:
  • Training for improving and grooming communication and social skills. Here, affected children are provided with specialized training that help them learn the basic aspects of socialization and communicating in an explicit manner and with the help of memorizing techniques. When the training is structured to meet the special needs of such children, it helps them speak in a normal rhythm, and also make proper use of gestures such as eye contact, voice tone, humor and in some cases, even sarcasm.
  • Another module of the natural treatment for Asperger's syndrome is to work on the behavioral aspects of the patients. It is basically a therapy that educates children about how to cope with situations that may cause stress. Such situations may be a new event, or something which may require more social interaction. So the therapist helps the children to learn specific strategies for coping with all such situations. The therapy also aids in decreasing difficult behavior, and in realizing the importance of adhering to the feelings of others.
  • Physical clumsiness, speech problem, and the like, can also be addressed with the treatment program.
  • In some cases, the treatment may also make off-label use of medications. Meaning, there are no dedicated medications for this neurological disorder. However, some drugs may be used to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, hyperactivity, irritability, inattention, agitation, and similar problems.
And this is how the treatment for the disorder is designed and undertaken by medical experts. If we speak of the treatment forAsperger's syndrome in adults that is initiated in adulthood, then it might not produce desired results as one would get if treatment was administered in early childhood. But continuous support and encouragement, together with the treatment, does make life better. As far as prognosis is concerned, it varies with individuals and how early they receive treatment. As I said, the earlier the treatment is planned, the better is its prognosis.

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