What exactly is Asperger's Disorder and how can it be cured?


Question:
I know someone with it who seems depressed alot and feels that he is not good enough to have friends, so he withdraws himself. He is very shy and gets real nervous when alot of people are around. What advice would you say he needs?

Answers:
Asperger's Syndrome is a condition similar to autism. It is a neurological difference, so there is no cure.

More about the characteristics of Asperger's Syndrome can be found here: "The Discovery of "Aspie" Criteria by Dr. Tony Attwood and Carol Gray - http://www.thegraycenter.org/sectionsdetails.cfm?id=38

I would suggest joining a positive online community for persons with Asperger's Syndrome, such as http://www.aspergianpride.com/

I would also highly recommend the following books:

"Your Life is Not a Label: A Guide to Living Fully with Autism and Asperger's Syndrome" by Jerry Newport

"Asperger's and Self-Esteem: Insight and Hope through Famous Role Models" By Norm Ledgin and Dr. Temple Grandin

"Not Even Wrong: Adventures in Autism" By Paul Collins

Good luck and I hope this helps!

"From my clinical experience, I consider that children and adults with Asperger's Syndrome have a different, not defective, way of thinking." - Tony Attwood

Other Answers:
It can't be cured, it's a genetic flaw. My godchild has it and goes to a special school because the regular school doesn't have the facilities nor the funding to deal with it. You can check out the different websites about the disorder and help him find a support group after he is diagnosed with Asperger's.

Asperger's Disorder is a milder variant of Autistic Disorder. Both Asperger's Disorder and Autistic Disorder are in fact subgroups of a larger diagnostic category. This larger category is called either Autistic Spectrum Disorders, mostly in European countries, or Pervasive Developmental Disorders ("PDD"), in the United States. In Asperger's Disorder, affected individuals are characterized by social isolation and eccentric behavior in childhood. There are impairments in two-sided social interaction and non-verbal communication. Though grammatical, their speech is peculiar due to abnormalities of inflection and a repetitive pattern. Clumsiness is prominent both in their articulation and gross motor behavior. They usually have a circumscribed area of interest which usually leaves no space for more age appropriate, common interests. Some examples are cars, trains, French Literature, door knobs, hinges, cappucino, meteorology, astronomy or history. The name "Asperger" comes from Hans Asperger, an Austrian physician who first described the syndrome in 1944. An excellent translation of Dr. Asperger's original paper is provided by Dr. Uta Frith in her Autism and Asperger Syndrome.

There is no specific treatment or "cure" for Asperger's Disorder. All the interventions outlined below are mainly symptomatic and/or rehabilitational.

Psychosocial Interventions

Individual psychotherapy to help the individual to process the feelings aroused by being socially handicapped
Parent education and training
Behavioral modification
Social skills training
Educational interventions
Psychopharmacological Interventions

For hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity: Psychostimulants (methyphenidate, dextroamphetamine, metamphetamine), clonidine, Tricyclic Antidepressants (desipramine, nortriptyline), Strattera (atomoxetine)
For irritability and aggression: Mood Stabilizers (valproate, carbamazepine, lithium), Beta Blockers (nadolol, propranolol), clonidine, naltrexone, Neuroleptics (risperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine, ziprasidone, haloperidol)
For preoccupations, rituals and compulsions: SSRIs (fluvoxamine, fluoxetine, paroxetine), Tricyclic Antidepressants (clomipramine)
For anxiety: SSRIs (sertraline, fluoxetine), Tricyclic Antidepressants (imipramine, clomipramine, nortriptyline)
Asperger Syndrome is a condition related to autism. It is often explained as high-functioning autism but in fact has it's own set of symptoms often typified by average or above average academic ability but with poor social skills and associated language difficulties.

It is a condition of the structure and function of brain and as such cannot be cured.
Ashberger's is a form of autism. People with this disorder are generally very bright but lack the ability to communicate in the normal way. This is probably why you friend is having problems with shyness and communicating he simply can't ! It is not curible, however it can be controled with various drugs. My grandson has it, my daughter put him in place called Shodair Hospital and this is where he was diagnosed by the best Docs who specialize in children's mental disorders He was placed on medication that enabled him to come home and live a normal life.They also helped him with communication skills and counseled him with coping skills that is another effect of Ashberger's. To better understand his disorder help him look it up on the web, Tell his Mom that there is help, (it is considered a handicap and thereby quaifies for Federal funding) A hospital like Shodair might be covered if his parents can't pay for it, Also, a public school is required by law to have programs to teach him. They cannot kick him out of school because of behavorial problems if there are any! Last, but most of all, be his Friend! I'm sure that is what he needs the most!


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