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I Wish I'd Asked My Doctor...Asperger Syndrome
by Terri L. Pilcher, MSHS, PA-C (Terri's bio)
IMPORTANT!: Please read our legal notice regarding this health column by clicking here.
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"We've just learned that our grandson has been diagnosed as an asperger child. He is nine years old. What can be done, and how do we relate to him?" Beth S.
Your grandson is lucky to have Asperger syndrome instead of another form of autism. Adults with Asperger's lead productive lives, live autonomously, and work at normal jobs. Their IQ's tend to be at least average, and they can raise families.
The more noticeable symptoms include emotionless speech, self-absorption, lack of common sense, inability to think abstractly, clumsy movements, and unusual self-stimulating behavior. Because of these characteristics, they are often described as "odd". Their self-absorption and inability to relate to other people's emotions makes them social outcasts. Many adults with Asperger Syndrome work as computer programmers and dentists because of the minimal social interaction required.
Behavioral symptoms of autism can be the most disruptive to a family's life. Don't take your grandson's behavior personally. He can't sympathize with other people's emotions, so he doesn't understand how his actions affect you. Only try to change his worst behaviors. Otherwise, you will wear out both yourself and your grandson to accomplish something he may not be able to do.
Temper tantrums are one of the most common types of behavioral problems. If this occurs in your presence, remain calm. He has few outlets for anxiety and frustration. Help him to learn positive coping mechanisms such as using relaxation techniques, watching moving water, or listening to favorite songs
Autism affects a person's ability to comprehend language. Occasionally, the brain stops functioning properly, and words become as incomprehensible as gibberish. If your grandson ignores you, it may be that he simply can't understand what you're saying. One way to overcome this is to show him what you want him to do or use obvious gestures to describe your words.
He also has no ability to understand abstract concepts, so speak to him only in concrete thoughts. For instance, if you say, "You're an angel." He might reply, "I'm not an angel. I don't have wings."
When speaking, use a calm and moderate tone of voice. Loud noises create fear and anxiety in people with Asperger's. They often interpret loud talking as meaning anger.
Not all children with Asperger's syndrome have every symptom. You will have to gauge, through your interactions, the best way to relate to him.
There is no known treatment for Asperger's syndrome. Teaching your grandson and yourself coping strategies may be the only option. One site I looked at suggested Vitamin B6 should be given as an effective treatment for autism. This isn't recognized by the American Medical Association, but it's worth trying. A normal dose of Vitamin B6 is not harmful. At worst, your grandson's autism will remain the same.
Some of the tips listed above were gleaned from an article written by a woman with autism at http://home.vicnet.net.au/~asperger/ . It is an excellent site written from the perspective of those dealing with this disease on a daily basis. Look at that site for further details.
Other useful websites:
Online Asperger syndrome info by parents of Asperger kids
http://www.udel.edu/bkirby/asperger/
Online Asperger support group for adults who have family members with this syndrome.
http://home.vicnet.net.au/~asperger/
Autism Research Institute – technical information and recent scientific advances in the field of autism from a non-profit autism research group. Discusses studies using Vitamin B6 to treat autism.
http://www.autism.com/ari/contents.html#ait
Have a question for Terri? Click here.
Copyright 2002, Terri L. Pilcher. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.
THE CONTENT OF THE "I WISH I'D ASKED MY DOCTOR" COLUMN IS PRESENTED IN SUMMARY FORM, IS GENERAL IN NATURE, AND IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THE CONTENT IS NOT INTENDED IN ANY WAY TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR FACE-TO-FACE, IN-PERSON, PROFESSIONAL, MEDICAL, PSYCHIATRIC, OR PHARMACEUTICAL HEALTH CARE ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF YOUR PHYSICIAN OR OTHER QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER WITH ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE REGARDING A MEDICAL CONDITION, HEALTH DIAGNOSIS, OR TREATMENT. NEVER DISREGARD MEDICAL ADVICE OR DELAY IN SEEKING IT BECAUSE OF SOMETHING YOU HAVE READ IN THE "I WISH I'D ASKED MY DOCTOR…" COLUMN. Please read our full legal notice.
| About Terri L. Pilcher: Terri L. Pilcher, MSHS, PA-C is a physician assistant with a Masters of Science in Health Sciences. She has worked in the fields of family practice medicine and occupational health. Her articles have appeared in Physician Assistant and JAAPA. Currently, she stays home with her daughters and writes. Contact her at AskthePA@prodigy.net. |
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