Understanding Asperger syndrome
Asperger syndrome is an autism profile which affects the way in which people interact with others. It is a lifelong disability which affects development and people with Asperger’s will experience the world in different ways.
More about Asperger syndrome
People affected with Asperger’s have average to above average levels of intelligence, and don’t generally have the types of learning difficulty issues which are experienced with many other autism profiles, although they could experience some specific learning difficulties. Over 1 in 100 people in the UK will experience Asperger syndrome and it seems to be more common in men than women.
People with Asperger syndrome may experience considerable anxiety as they can find the world an extremely overwhelming place at times. In general, relating to other people and understanding them can be difficult and taking part in the everyday activities such as family interactions, going to school or work and socialising can all cause stress and be difficult for them. While it seems most people seem to understand at an intuitive level how to communicate and interact socially, people with Asperger’s will struggle to interact and build rapport with others and often feel other people don’t understand them. Autistic people, including those with Asperger syndrome, often do not ‘look’ disabled. Many parents of children with Asperger’s say that other people think their child is extremely naughty.
Asperger’s in children
Because Asperger syndrome displays differently in each individual it can be difficult to make a diagnosis, so Asperger’s in children is often diagnosed later than other autistic profiles. Formal diagnosis of the condition may entail appointments with a paediatrician, a speech and language therapist, and a psychiatrist or psychologist. It is often the case that people with Asperger’s will also have issues with mental health or other conditions.
Dr Chelvi Kukendrarajah provides private joint assessments for Asperger’s and autism spectrum disorder at a variety of London clinics. If you are concerned that your child may be displaying signs of Asperger syndrome and want to skip the lengthy queues for NHS assessments, get in touch for more information.
