The Struggle over Body Language for the Patient with Asperger's Syndrome

It is a well known fact body language is the bane of existence for many patients suffering from Asperger’s Syndrome. Although they might work hard with family members and caregivers to work around the need for body language and also the correct interpretation of body language, it is still an area where many fall short. If you are a caregiver and find that you simply do not understand the far reaching consequences of the problem that an incorrect interpretation of body language brings with it, consider the facts associated with this form of communication.

* Body language involves hand gestures, overall carrying of one’s person, but also facial expressions. Even eye contact is governed by body language! Not having the tools needed to properly read or convey the right kind of body language and response makes regular conversing challenging. * Body language becomes a point of contention for those who cannot really understand it. This leads to insecurity in social situations. Ultimately, it may cause a patient with Asperger’s Syndrome to isolate from social setting, simply because of the fear that they may be shown inept. * There is a very real chance that a patient with Asperger’s Syndrome will display the wrong form of body language at the wrong time. This might lead to laughing at the wrong time, using an inappropriate gesture, and not combining a statement with the proper form of eye contact. This makes interactions sometimes awkward and even downright embarrassing. * The failure to show proper body language has led to some Asperger’s Syndrome patients to be considered cold and lacking in empathy. Although to a certain degree that is one symptom of the condition, it is not necessarily the condition that causes this perceived lack of empathy.

As you can see, the problem with body language has led to numerous difficulties for the average individual and although skills differ greatly between individuals, there are a good number of them who see this as perhaps the single greatest challenge in their lives. They are forever trying to affect a new, better way of communicating but fail in doing so simply because they do not understand the non verbal clues offered by those with whom they are conversing. In the same way, those with whom they are interacting also do not understand the fact that they are speaking to someone not able to respond adequately to their clues.

High school kids in particular are trying desperately to fit in, and reading body language is a crucial aspect. When it is lacking, some have reverted to an attitude made famous by Clint Eastwood. Portraying the cool and acting the part of the non emotional hero, they try to affect an exterior that is actually considered desirable because of the lack of emotion. This of course does not work in the long run and before long the individual with Asperger’s Syndrome is painfully aware that the condition makes fitting in a hard idea indeed. Parents and caregivers are urged to help the youngster with their body language.

The Symptoms of Asperger's Syndrome In Your Adolescent

As your child with Asperger's Syndrome (AS) progresses into their teen years the symptoms of AS can change as your child changes. If your child was diagnosed between the ages of 4 and 11 (which is typical) and received early intervention and therapy to help him/her to cope with the symptoms of AS your child by the time they reach the adolescent years have begun to be able to learn the social skills they previously lacked, and communication although still difficult is becoming easier. The teen with AS will have trouble "reading" others while in groups at school or in recreational situations such as on sports teams. The teen with AS may be shy or even intimidated to approach other teens for fear of being seen as different from others. It may be a frustrating experience to try to fit in when social situations are so difficult to handle. Teens with AS are often immature for their age, can be too trusting or naive, which can all lead to being bullied or teased by other peers. Not being able to conform will make th e teen with AS feel isolated and soon they will become withdrawn and at risk for anxiety and depression.

This inability to make friends is however not the rule as there is one exception: kids with AS are also very honest and sticklers for following rules, which makes them, model school, "citizens". They also do not typically follow fads or conventional thinking but rather they usually are creative thinkers and they will follow their own original interests or goals, which may make them popular with certain kids who are of like mind. They may have a few friends in those individuals who value creativity, and those who march to their own beat, and are rule followers.

Your teen may experience some of the saddest and most difficult years of his/her life during the years from 12 to 17 as they face intense peer pressure and strive to overcome being different. Typically the "Aspies" as they refer to themselves become more socially isolated during these teen years despite craving friendships. These school years are when they are bullied a lot making them feel more rejected and isolated. School also becomes more demanding academically and socially during these years. The symptoms of AS can make Aspies appear as if they are rude, odd, aloof, or loners. The teen with AS will not care as much about teen fads, clothing styles, and peer group concerns that drive other teens so this makes them feel even more different. It is also during the teen years that Aspies will neglect personal hygiene, and to be unaware of current fashions making them stick out even more from the rest of the more "normal" teens.

Sometimes the teen with AS will become "stuck" in childhood likes or hobbies such as Legos instead of advancing with the rest of the age group into teenage concerns such as dating.

The lack of street knowledge and dating behaviors makes Aspie teens susceptible to unintentional sexual interest because of lack of understanding of non-verbal communications. They can become victims of sexual harassment and even date rape.

Aspies in their teens can be lead to the drug and sex scene out of frustration and their overwhelming need to fit in. The middle school and high school years are filled with change and non-routine ways such as different teachers for each subject, changing classrooms for each subject, numerous distractions, elevated noise levels, and the potential for over stimulation.

Apathy Secondary to Asperger's Syndrome

Did you know that apathy was a symptom of Asperger’s Syndrome? It is not always seen or even connected, but there is a very real link between an individual with Asperger’s Syndrome experiencing stress, and there suddenly being a response of severe apathy. Some have likened it to feeling stuck in a vat of sinking sand and not being able to move their feet to get out.

* Apathy may be seen in the adult who simply cannot get out of bed to get ready for work. It is also noticed in the school aged child who does not cooperate with a parent to get ready for school. Eating, toileting, and various other tasks that would normally only take a fraction of an hour suddenly turn into tasks that span the better portion of the walking hours. * Apathy happens at work or in school. The individual with Asperger’s Syndrome requires a sudden burst of micromanagement to stay on task and even then she or he has a hard time remembering what it is that was supposed to be accomplished. At the same time, supervisors and teachers are thoroughly frustrated at what they might consider a lack of respect, attention, and also obedience. * Apathy is marked by a sudden inability to communicate adequately. It is not that the individual with Asperger’s Syndrome loses his words, it is more a matter of not being able to find that in which is required to initiate a two sided form of communication. Children do not properly communicate their needs to teachers, leading up to disciplinary measures and even exclusion from certain tasks and planned activities. In the adult setting, this might lead to an employee being put on administrative leave, receiving a write up, or actually being dismissed from the work they are currently assigned to do.

In the home, family members notice this apathy as a way of spacing out. The individual with Asperger’s Syndrome suddenly seems to have retreated into his own little world and it is hard to reach her or him. No amount of verbal sparring seems to be able to counteract this sudden apathy that descended on the individual and onlookers get quite frustrated at the lack of response. In some cases this may lead to harsh words, which do little other than make the patient with AS withdraw even further.

Physicians have theorized that it is a certain form of disconnect between knowing what needs to be done and visualizing the activity necessary to get there that causes the apathy. Adding to this kind of disconnect is the fact that outward pressures on the Asperger’s Syndrome patients lead to a further shutdown. At this time it becomes a self fulfilling prophecy that renders the patient virtually incapable of acting until the spell is broken. As frustrating as it is to the onlooker and family member, apathy of this kind is even worse to the individual who is experiencing it and who feels powerless to overcome the condition and move on with the tasks at hand.

Diagnosis Asperger's Syndrome; Now What?

Has your child just been diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome? Are you unsure what to do next? Take heart! You are not alone. Each year countless thousands are leaving consultation rooms with a diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome for their children, and there are more questions than answers. Fortunately, there are some very real answers that can help you map out what to do next.

* Accept your new role. You are no longer just a parent but also an advocate for your child. As an advocate, you are a believer, promoter, backer, activist, negotiator, and clam in the storm. You are the one who will tell the school administrator “no” when it comes to special education, or who will force the administrator to find a special education aide for your child if you believe it necessary. * You must see your child’s weaknesses and her strengths. Do not get caught on either side. Many parents make the mistake of either focusing solely on their child’s limitations, making the youngster believe that she is disabled, or they only focus on the child’s strengths, making her believe that her limitations are only in her mind. Both extremes are dangerous and of little value to your child. Instead, you need to have a clear, unbiased view of your child’s limitations and also strengths, and then help your child to build on her strengths while learning to overcome and deal with her limitations. * Join a support group for parents of children with Asperger’s Syndrome. They are plentiful and your doctor or specialist most likely has some information. These groups are an absolute must have for any caregiver. It is there that you can vent your frustration and not walk on egg shells as you might be prone to do at home. There you can give a voice to your anger, your fears, and your ill will toward the gods, the doctors, the school administrators and even your child. Getting it out of your system makes parenting a child with Asperger’s Syndrome a lot easier than trying to eat it all in. * Recognize that you must be a visible figure on campus. There is no excuse for not being there. Instead, the teachers should know you by name, have you on speed dial, and expect you to be popping in your head now and then for an in between progress report. The teachers need to recognize you as being there to lend your support, help and strength, while being a fount of information for teaching a child with Asperger’s Syndrome. This takes time but if you set up your schedule properly, it can be done.

Parenting a child with Asperger’s Syndrome is frightening and there is no nice way of putting it in perspective. Take heart in the fact that other parents have gone before you and done spectacular jobs at preparing their youngsters for successful scholastic careers. On the flipside, plenty of parents who decided to leave their child’s education process to third parties lived to regret their decision when their child experienced frustrating episodes on a virtually daily basis.

What is Asperger's Syndrome

Asperger syndrome, or Asperger disorder, is actually a form of autism. It is a lifelong disability that affects how an individual processes information from the world and relates to other people. Autism is also described as a "spectrum disorder" because of the variety of ways in which it affects other people. Asperger syndrome is a piece of that puzzle.

Individuals with Asperger syndrome often have normal or above normal intelligence and language development but also autistic like behaviors and marked deficiencies in social and communication skills. The disorder was originally named by a Viennese physician, Hans Asperger, who published a paper in 1944 describing a pattern of behaviors. Despite the publication it wasn't until 1994 that the syndrome was added to the DSM-IV and only recognized in the past few years by professionals and parents.

By definition, individuals who experience Asperger syndrome have a normal IQ and potentially exceptional skill or talent in the specific area. These individuals are often viewed as eccentric war on and are easily the victims of teasing and bullying. On the surface, their language development appears normal but they often have deficits in pragmatics. This means they have difficulty understanding the intended meaning in speech.

Individuals with Asperger syndrome were once considered to have a hidden disability. This meant that an outsider may not understand their condition because they were able to function within society. However, they have difficulties in social communication, social interaction and social imagination. While they don't have the learning disabilities associated with autism the condition can be associated with dyslexia and dyspraxia or ADHD.

Individuals who suffer from Asperger syndrome find it difficult to express themselves emotionally and socially and have difficulty understanding facial expressions or differentiating tone of voice. It is difficult for them to know when to start or end a conversation and how to use complex words and phrases. Individuals often want to be social but have difficulty initiating social relationships and may struggle to make and maintain friendships. Individuals with Asperger syndrome don't get the social rules that most of us pick up at an early age without thinking. They see others as unpredictable and confusing and because of this, can become withdrawn and seem on interested in other people.

While individuals may be incredibly imaginative and creative, accomplished writers, artists and musicians-they can also have difficulty with social imagination. This means they find it difficult to predict outcomes to situations or interpret other people's thoughts or feelings that are expressed by facial expression and body language.

Other related characteristics include feeling a certain comforts in routines as well is developing an intense and somewhat obsessive interest in the specific hobby or collection. Some individuals also develop sensory difficulties which can occur with one or all of the senses. The degree of difficulty very is between individuals but most common way the fence is either intensified or underdeveloped. For instance, right lights or loud noises may cause anxiety or pain for an individual who suffers from Asperger syndrome.

Using some advanced brain imaging techniques researchers have found structural and functional differences in specific areas of the brain. These differences are likely caused by the abnormal migration of embryonic cells during development, while the child is still in the womb. A variety of studies have shown differences in brain activity when children to have Asperger syndrome are asked to respond to specific tasks. Although researchers believe there is a genetic component because of the tendency to run in families additional evidence is needed to link genetic mutations and Asperger syndrome.