Do I Have Autism or Asperger's Syndrome?

It is surprising to learn how many adults wonder if they fall under the autism spectrum or have Asperger’s Syndrome. Oftentimes they have wrestled throughout childhood or adolescence with hints at being different, but perhaps because of a lack of medical care or a parental preference for not receiving a diagnosis that was undesirable, they were never tested or diagnosed. Now, as adults, they are still wrestling with questions about being different and maybe even having Asperger’s Syndrome or a form of autism, and this wonderment is affecting their every thought and social interaction.

There are tests adults can take that will disclose if they may have a latent or severe case of Asperger’s Syndrome and also autism. Some adults may even do so via the Internet, and then armed with the knowledge garnered there, consider what the next step should be. The questions asked in such online tests usually have a four level response faction that ranges from “agree completely” to “disagree completely.” The values in between are “agree somewhat” and “disagree somewhat.”

The questions that these tasks ask are designed to measure the level of social interactivity a person seeks out versus endures. They ask about whether or not a person likes to do things with others or prefers solo activities, whether an established way of doing things is preferable to doing things in different ways, and also what the perception of others is with respect to social interactions the test taker undergoes. Other questions focus on the ability to work with, deal with, and also memorize numbers, recognize patterns, and general enjoyment that may be derived from things.

Another set of questions seeks to delve into the intricacies of interpersonal relationships and their nuances, such as reading between the lines during a conversation, starting a conversation as opposed to keeping it going, and also providing ample context for a conversation. What makes many of these tests highly effective is the way that they ask the same question in two or three different ways. This prevents misunderstanding and it also allows for a discovery of potential differences in the responses.

Granted, these online tests do not make an actual medical diagnosis, but it may tip off the individual who notices something about their ways of thinking and relating to others that there may be a need for further diagnosis. Additionally, those who might think so because of statements made by others may find their fears put to rest simply because their test does not even suggest that they should get a medical evaluation. Of course, if the latter is the case, they will do well to review their social skills on a more behavioral plane.

Receiving a diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome or autism is not the end of the world. Additionally, it will enable the patient to make changes in their lifestyle and also in their way of relating to others that can make life on the whole a lot easier. Anyone who suspects that they might have Asperger’s Syndrome or a related condition will do well to seek out medical help as soon as possible.

Dietary Concerns: Glutton and Casein

Autism is a disorder that must be treated with a variety of methods since there is no effective way to completely cure it. One of the ways you can help keep the symptoms of autism under control is by studying diet. Parents of children with autism have reported that by controlling diet, they see a significant difference in their child's behavior. Two of the main dietary concerns are glutton and casein.

Glutton is a substance found in many common food products, with wheat, rye, and oaks being the main culprits. Casein is found in dairy products, such as milk. If you or your child with autism eats many foods with these products in them, such as breads or cheeses, you may be able to better control autistic behavior by decreasing consumption of such foods.

The difficulty in digesting both glutton and casein comes from an inability to digestively handle the peptides in these substances. Since they are not broken down as in a normal body, these extra peptides are absorbed into the blood stream. Elevated levels of peptides disrupt major brain functions, contributing to the effects of autism. By cutting foods containing glutton and casein out of you or your child's diet, you can help the body with the process of breaking down the peptides present in the body. To see if you or your child has a high absorption rate of these peptides, your doctor can administer a simple urine test.

Speak to a nutritionist or doctor before making any major changes in your diet. When you decide to cut glutton and casein from your diet, do not attempt to do this all at once. Cutting anything from your diet suddenly is unhealthy, and your body could go into withdrawal. Instead, slowly begin reducing the amounts of breads, grains, and milk products until you are eating none. You doctor can provide you with a complete list of all the foods containing glutton and casein if you truly want to cut them all from your diet. However, it may be necessary to get the nutrients that you find in glutton and casein products in another way, such as with dietary supplements. Again, your doctor can help in this decision. Overall, maintaining a balanced diet is the healthiest thing to do. Leaving glutton and casein products out of your or your child's diet may help control autistic behavior, so it is an option that should be considered, but eating a healthy diet altogether is the best way to keep you and your family healthy.

Sibling Rivalry: How Brothers and Sisters can Cope with Autistic Family Members

When a family member is diagnosed with autism, there is a vast amount of information teaching parents how to cope with an autistic child, and there is also information for parents about dealing with an autistic child's different behaviors. However, there are fewer learning tools for those who have an autistic sibling, even though this is a very stressful situation for brothers and sisters of an autistic child. The following tips can help children cope with an autistic sibling.

Sometimes parents are so involved in preparing themselves and their autistic child for the transition ahead that they forget that their other children must also deal with the new situation. Often, siblings of an autistic child may feel the new situation acutely. They may feel neglected by parents or jealous of the autistic child who is now receiving more attention. Also, they may find their peers constantly teasing them about having an autistic sibling, which can lead to more stress. This may lead to behavioral issues, with the sibling acting out and becoming a "problem child" to receive attention. In some cases, the sibling may even try to hurt the autistic brother or sister in an attempt to remove him from the family environment.

However, this is not always the case. Sometimes, having an autistic sibling forces one to "grow up" and become responsible. There can be a strong emotional attachment to the autistic sibling and a keen desire to keep him or her safe in all situations. Furthermore, living with an autistic sibling can teach one to be more open about another person's differences. In this way, having an autistic sibling is a life-enriching experience that pushes individuals to be emotionally and mentally stronger and to be more tolerant towards others in life

One tip for siblings to cope with their autistic brother or sister is to find a support group. There should be resources available at the local chapter of the Autism Society of America. This is especially important in helping siblings feel that they are not alone and isolated in this unfolding situation-others are dealing with the same sorts of problems. Also, try to increase family interaction. Schedule a regular family day or family night each week, where all children can spend time with parents or other family members and share their day or week experiences and any problems. The best thing to remember is to be open about how you are feeling. If children feel that their parents are neglecting some aspect of their life, simply asking them for a moment of their time is often the best solution. It is important for parents to be understanding towards their children's needs for attention, whether they are autistic or not. Communication is the key to helping the entire family run smoothly.

Running a Classroom Discussion When a Child with Asperger's Syndrome Dominates

It is a well known fact that even young children with Asperger’s Syndrome will have a topic or small range of topics on which they can converse at great length. Termed by Dr. Asperger himself as little professors, these children delight in the facts they learn about a given subject matter and are eager to converse about it at length. The problems arise for these children’s inability to know when to stop and how much input is too much. Children with Asperger’s Syndrome tend to dominate the discussion about the topic at hand.

Running a classroom discussion when a child with Asperger’s Syndrome dominates by virtue of their expertise in the subject matter is not easy. As a matter of fact, it could be considered one of the most difficult tasks a teacher will have to face. On the other hand, with just a few simple little tricks and teaching tools, you are likely to successfully incorporate the child’s expertise in the subject in your teaching effort while still giving other children a chance to chime in as well.

* Use a tool, such as an egg timer, to very obviously limit the time period anyone is allowed to converse on the subject. Even if other children do not need the full five minute period to express their views, by employing the same timer for everyone levels the playing field and does not ostracize the child with Asperger’s Syndrome in front of classmates. * Limit question and answer sessions to five questions per topic per student. Use tally marks on the board to indicate which children had already asked questions. This allows the child with Asperger’s Syndrome to have his curiosity fed while at the same time avoiding the situation where the child will monopolize the question and answer periods. * Use positive reinforcement to laude the child for not going over the permitted time periods. If the child sticks to only five questions or five minutes of discourse on a given topic, praise him for his willingness to be a team player and letting the other kids also participate. * Kindle the child’s interest in other topics by relating them to topics of interest. This might be difficult at first since children with Asperger’s Syndrome do not usually like to work on topics that are outside their expertise. Nonetheless, if you manage to connect the topics together, you will get more cooperation and at the same time allow the child to still follow his own interests in pursuing knowledge about a certain topic. * Make group assignments with great care and supervise the interactions in the teams. While you do not want a child with Asperger’s Syndrome to dominate the discussion within a team, you also must avoid having him become the quiet recluse who contributes little, if anything, to the overall findings the team presents to the class.

As a teacher the best thing to do for a child with Asperger’s Syndrome is to gain and maintain control of a classroom. Do not turn over the control to the child by virtue of his expertise in an area; at the same time, do not allow other children to take over control of the class either.

Beyond Dr. Asperger's Finding

When Hans Asperger’s findings on Asperger’s Syndrome finally found an audience in the United States, they were already about 30 to 40 years old. It did not take long for researchers and physicians dealing with children falling into the autism spectrum to update his findings and to add their own observations to them.

Here is a list of the most significant discoveries that go beyond Dr. Asperger’s finding:

* Asperger’s Syndrome has been found in hindsight to be evident in infancy. Although common knowledge suggests that children cannot truly be diagnosed until they are in the preschool years, a thorough investigation of the little patient’s background reveals several warning signs. For one, there is a distinct lack of interaction between infant and caregiver. While other infants seek out the face of another person and make little sounds to acknowledge a parent’s presence, the child which is more likely to be eventually diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome has more of a take it leave it attitude. * Children slated for this diagnosis are thought to be very quiet. They babble significantly less than other babies their ages, and they also do not learn to speak and talk as quickly as their peers. * Any form of communication – pointing, eye contact, babbling, interaction with a caregiver, or even bringing a toy to a parent – is greatly reduced or missing altogether. * As the baby becomes a toddler, play becomes sometimes marred by repetitive actions that take place again and again, only to be interrupted with another set of repetitive game play. * As the toddler matures in a school aged child, it quickly becomes obvious that learning by rote will lead to excellent results whereas any activity or problem that requires independent thought is most likely going to result in failure. Worsening this situation is the fact that children suffering from Asperger’s Syndrome lack the common sense their peers have accumulated, and therefore consistent supervision is critical.

Even as these situations appear to be dire for the child who will receive a diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome, the fact that there is now a strong network of autism advocates in place has greatly enhanced the quality of life and also the ability to obtain and hold down jobs for such individuals. Some become prominent in their fields, and there are also those who are able to go beyond the limiting aspects of the disease and instead earn advanced degrees, and because of their unorthodox approach to problem solving even receive many honors in their chosen fields.

Following the precept that forewarned truly is forearmed, parents who notice such oddities in their infants’ behaviors have a good chance now to have their ailments diagnosed and then may hope to take adequate action to counteract future problems. This is primarily done through parental networking, membership in advocacy organizations, and education on the subject at hand, which makes the parent an integral part in the healthcare of the child. By and large, parents who seek out a possible diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome early on will do better with helping their children than those who wait until the child is of preschool age.