Adolescents with Asperger’s Spectrum Disorder have delays in development of abilities to communicate and socialize with others. They have limited use of their imagination and have many behavioral deficits which impair functioning in school and participating in extracurricular activities. Those with aspergers have normal intelligence and near-normal language development, though they communicate poorly. There is no cure for Asperger’s Spectrum Disorder, there are treatment plans that meet the needs of these children. Most health care professionals agree that early intervention is best.
Resources for Parents:
Cognitive Behavioral TherapyMedication, if necessary for treatment of co-existing conditions like anxiety and depressionSpecialized Speech/Language TherapySocial Skills TrainingClasses for parents for behavioral techniques to use at home
Symptoms of Asperger’s Syndrome:
Problems with social skills: generally do not make friends easily, socially awkward, can’t maintain conversations.Unusual preoccupations and rituals: compulsions to do repetitive actions, strange ticks, odd movements.Coordination problems: clumsiness, prone to accidents, unwieldy movements.Skilled or talented: surprisingly, many children with Asperger’s excel exceptionally in a particular area like math or music.A child with one or two of these symptoms does not necessarily have Asperger’s Spectrum Disorder, so if you are a concerned parent please seek professional diagnosis. Other aspects of people who have this disorder are unusual facial expressions and posture, delayed motor development, avoidance of eye-contact, inability to recognize social cues or notice subtle differences in pitch, tone and accent, heightened sensitivity to lights and loud noises, preoccupation with one or few interests and long-winded one-sided conversations about those subjects, as well as many other struggles. Luckily, there is help available. WinGate is a wilderness adventure therapy program for troubled teens that integrates therapeutic modalities with skill building and behavioral modification, which can be of great help for those suffering with Aspergers Spectrum Disorder. Customized treatment plans put to use in a nurturing, supportive environment promotes recuperation and rehabilitation in troubled teens. Teenagers with Asperger’s Spectrum Disorder find it frustrating and energetically draining trying to fit in with their peers, so WinGate emphasizes positive peer culture to help teenagers endeavoring to heal their lives. Call (800)560-1599 to get your son or daughter started on the road to recovery and prosperity.