Asperger’s Syndrome: Symptoms

by Disease Fix Largest Disease Information Center

What is Asperger’s Syndrome (AS)?

Asperger’s Syndrome (AS) is a pervasive developmental disorder where people have same IQ levels as normal people but lack the ability to socialize and communicate better. Asperger’s Syndrome though comes under the broad spectrum of autism and is called as high functioning autism, it is different in various aspects from high-function ASD.

It is a lifetime disorder which affects the ability of how people perceive the world and communicate with others. It is observed that, in late adolescence and in early adult life, people with Asperger’s Syndrome are generally vulnerable to depression and anxiety.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a type of brain stimulation therapy, is a promising and an emerging tool for the study and potential treatment of ASD (Asperger’s Syndrome).

Symptoms of Asperger’s Syndrome

People usually don’t notice any disability due to Asperger Syndrome for a long time in a child or in a person. It is unnoticed for a long time because of the presence of mild symptoms or normal IQ levels. However, these people usually face learning disability, epilepsy and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) which can be noticed relatively easily.

AS is generally characterized in kids and adults by poor social interaction, communication skills and odd speech patterns. Children with AS often face difficulties in understanding body language of others and might stick to daily routine which is obsessive generally. AS people have sensitivity to light and sounds usually, so they show behaviour like covering their ears to block surrounding sounds or covering or flicking their eyes.

Overall, kids and teens with AS perform day to day activities normally but they lack social skills and are immature socially. The children with AS relate themselves to adults better than peers usually.

As the degree of disorder may vary among people, the problems faced by them also vary and they have different strengths, needs and require different supports accordingly.

How to notice Asperger’s Syndrome early?

People with Asperger Syndrome have IQ levels equivalent to normal people, therefore, it is difficult to know whether a person is suffering from this disorder or not. But, there are certain characteristics through which we can nearly estimate whether someone has or can have this disability at any stage of life. These characteristics are:

Less severe symptoms than autism as there is no any language delay
Tries to fit in group and interact with others but often don’t know how to start a talk
People with Asperger’s syndrome feel socially awkward and are not able to understand conventional rules or show empathy to others.
They have limited eye contact while conversing (Limited eye contact during conversation)
They may suffer with other brain diseases and disorders such as anxiety and depression
They usually seem to be unengaged in conversation
Usually people with Asperger’s syndrome do not understand gestures, postures or sarcasm
They are particularly obsessive about subject of interest
Children suffering from AS often like to collect things like pebbles, coins, bottle caps, rocks etc.
They may have excellent knowledge in statistics and other languages.
People with AS may have good rote memory but poor with abstracts
They have improved speaking skills and speech delays as compared to autistic people.
Speech patterns of AS children may be unusual or use rhythms while speaking. They may be be too loud or high pitched.
No cognitive disabilities
Possess average to high intelligence.
People or children with AS usually have motor skill delays like while catching a ball or object they may not be able to catch or hold it at the right time which makes them awkward to others.
Children with AS may suffer from learning disability like dyslexia, attention deficit hyperactive disorder, dyspraxia, etc.