Factors Raise Your Risk for Asperger’s Syndrome Essay Example
Factors Raise Your Risk for Asperger’s Syndrome Essay Example

Factors Raise Your Risk for Asperger’s Syndrome Essay Example

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  • Pages: 5 (1268 words)
  • Published: March 31, 2022
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Asperger's syndrome falls under the classification of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

People with Asperger's syndrome, which is a type of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), show various social skills and behaviors. Despite having the same disorder, each person with Asperger's has unique characteristics. Some individuals may have similar abilities to their peers, while others may exhibit distinct behaviors. This makes diagnosing the disorder challenging.

The World Health Organization's International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10 classification) points out a gender bias in this disorder. According to the classification, there are eight affected males for every one female (Attwood, 54).

There is a belief that males are diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome eight times more often than females. However, there is a theory suggesting that females who have the syndrome tend to hide it because of their strong social skills and ability to imitate others.

This paper will cover the definition o

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f Asperger's syndrome, its treatment and intervention methods, as well as how the success of the intervention will be assessed.

Research indicates that individuals with this condition typically display limited and repetitive interests and behaviors. In addition, people with Asperger's syndrome may experience delayed motor development, resulting in uncoordinated movements or clumsiness.

Individuals with Asperger's syndrome have milder symptoms and do not experience significant cognitive or language delays compared to other individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) (Dubin, 40). Despite often having average or above-average intelligence, children with Asperger's syndrome may face challenges as they grow older. They commonly exhibit fixation on specific topics, repetitive behaviors, difficulties in social skills and communication, coordination problems, and exceptional abilities in a particular area. People with this condition are frequently perceived as lacking empathy or being self-centered. Th

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causes of Asperger's syndrome remain unknown but are not associated with factors like parenting styles, television viewing habits, junk food consumption, or family circumstances.

According to current research, the likelihood of developing this condition is believed to be influenced by both genetic and neurological factors. As a result, it tends to occur more frequently in certain families. When children in a family are diagnosed with the condition, there is an increased chance that other family members also have it but go undiagnosed (Stanford, 57). It should be emphasized that this condition is not a disease or illness and cannot be transmitted or cured. It is present from birth but often goes unnoticed until early school years. However, in some cases, particularly among females, the condition may not be recognized or become apparent until adolescence or adulthood.

There has been a rise in the diagnosis of Asperger's syndrome in recent years. Even though parents have noticed their children's unique behavior, it typically takes a few years to link this behavior to Asperger's syndrome. The main way to diagnose this condition involves pediatricians collaborating with a team of specialists such as speech pathologists and psychologists. This method ensures a thorough evaluation of the child's abilities and skills.

Attwood (77) discusses various assessments, rating scales, and sets of criteria that are employed for diagnosing this condition. These evaluations generally consist of inquiries about emotional and social abilities, learning capabilities, motor and communication skills, as well as unique interests. They can be conducted at a clinic, school, or home within a specific timeframe. Adults often engage in self-assessment or self-diagnosis by conducting their own research through books or the internet. They may

also discover information about Asperger's syndrome that resonates with their personal history or current circumstances. Some individuals opt to pursue an official diagnosis through neuropsychological testing administered by a psychiatrist or neuropsychologist.

When assessing children, certain signs are examined at specific ages. For instance, the evaluation of impairment in social interaction occurs once the behavior becomes significant to the child, typically observed when interacting with peers in kindergarten or preschool (Dubin, 86). Due to similarities between symptoms of Asperger's syndrome and other conditions, it is crucial for experienced clinicians to accurately diagnose the condition to avoid misdiagnosis. Accurate diagnosis plays a vital role in preventing families from pursuing unnecessary therapies.

Diagnosis has advantages for both children and adults, as it ensures optimal care and promotes self-awareness. For children, receiving appropriate care is especially vital, while adults can utilize diagnosis to clarify previous challenges and mend relationships impacted by their condition (Stanford, 78). Furthermore, diagnosis plays a critical role in applying for Supplemental Security Income. It is important to note that Asperger's syndrome cannot be cured or treated since it is not an illness or disease. Nevertheless, the effects of the condition typically decrease over time as coping skills develop.

The diagnosis of each person is crucial in determining the most suitable intervention for them due to varying behavioral impairments among individuals. Hence, it is essential that the chosen intervention specifically targets the particular impairment identified. There are several interventions available, such as parent education and training, sensory integration therapy, cognitive behavior therapy, Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), social skills training, and speech language therapy (Wilkinson, 65). Parent education and training intervention proves particularly beneficial in enhancing children's progress with

this condition. By educating parents and caregivers about a child's strengths and weaknesses, they can effectively apply treatment options to the child.

Applying the treatment mechanism to a child's daily life can lead to improvement in impaired behavior. Sensory integration or occupational therapy is commonly used for children with sensory or motor skill issues. Therapists work with the children to stabilize their reactions to stimuli and improve their senses. This therapy is highly beneficial as it helps children gain control of their bodies, reducing instability, clumsiness, and enhancing hand-eye coordination. Sensory integration therapy also reduces anxiety by improving responses to touch or sound. Improved senses lead to better emotional and physical control, reducing awkwardness and enhancing social skills (Harpur, 32).

Cognitive therapy and Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) are both commonly used interventions by therapists to address emotional and behavioral challenges. While cognitive therapy aims to teach individuals how to manage specific emotions and cope with behaviors like obsessions, angry outbursts, interruptions, and meltdowns in order to reduce anxiety and depression, ABA is widely utilized to teach a range of skills including social, play, self-care, academic, work, communication, and social living skills. Therapists using ABA focus on reducing challenging behaviors while promoting skill acquisition.

The targeted behaviors or skills are broken down into smaller steps and instructed using prompts. These prompts are gradually eliminated as the steps are mastered. The child learns by repeating and practicing in various settings. Once a milestone is reached, the child receives positive reinforcement, such as a gift (Wilkinson, 96). The effectiveness of this intervention is assessed through data collection, analysis, and direct observation. Additionally, social skills training and speech language therapy are employed

to assist children in acquiring appropriate expression of their thoughts and emotions.

Therapists often utilize visual techniques or exercises to teach social skills, which in turn improves communication and interaction with peers. The success of this therapy is evaluated through direct observation.

Work cited

  1. Attwood, Tony. The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2007. Internet resource.
  2. Dubin, Nick. Asperger Syndrome and Anxiety: A Guide to Successful Stress Management. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2009. Internet resource.
  3. Stanford, Ashley. Asperger Syndrome and Long-Term Relationships. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2003. Print.
  4. Wilkinson, Lee A. A Best Practice Guide to Assessment and Intervention for Autism and Asperger Syndrome in Schools.

London: Jessica Kingsley, 2010. Internet resource.

  • Harpur, John, Michael Fitzgerald, and Maria Lawlor. Succeeding with Interventions for Asperger Syndrome Adolescents: A Guide to Communication and Socialisation in Interaction Therapy. Philadelphia, PA: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2006. Internet resource.
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