Treatment FAQ

what is the treatment for asperger's syndrome

by Octavia Mohr Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Many of the treatments that are recommended for Asperger's involve fostering improved behavioral, social, and communication skills. However, medications, speech therapy, and occupational therapy may also be used. It's important to remember that not all treatments for Asperger's are supported by scientific evidence.Apr 30, 2019

Medication

Certain types of medications can help manage severe Asperger’s symptoms or related conditions. These medications include: Antidepressants (SSRIs or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). Anti-psychotics. Drugs for attention-deficit disorder.

Therapy

Mar 29, 2018 · Several types of therapy are used to improve Asperger’s symptoms, including: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) This type of “talk therapy” is typically used to help a person with Asperger’s better...

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Mar 27, 2019 · It may include social skills training, cognitive behavioral therapy, medication for co-existing conditions, and other measures. Prognosis With effective treatment, children with AS can learn to cope with their disabilities, but they may still find social situations and personal relationships challenging.

When does Aspergers Syndrome go undiagnosed?

How is Asperger’s Syndrome Treated? Because each case is different, treatment plans must be built according to each child’s needs. They should be adjusted over time as those needs change. Treatment of Asperger’s Syndrome usually includes: Social skills training Behavior supports Cognitive behavioral therapy Parent education and training

How to get Aspergers diagnosis?

Jun 02, 2020 · There aren't any drugs approved by the FDA that specifically treat Asperger's or autism spectrum disorders. Some medications, though, can help with related symptoms like depression and anxiety....

What are the signs of Aspergers?

Mar 18, 2019 · Medications such as anti-anxiety medications can be great for people with Asperger’s. Often time these people experience high anxiety or stress in many social settings such as large crowds or even classrooms. Medication can help them to remain calm and feel more comfortable in these situations. Social Groups

Can you have mild Aspergers?

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Can Asperger syndrome be cured?

Although Asperger's syndrome or ASD cannot be cured, therapy can help. Your child can be successful at school and in their adult life. Many employers say that the focus and attention a person with Asperger's syndrome or ASD gives to his or her job is a good thing.

What is the best treatment for Asperger's syndrome?

What types of therapy work for Asperger's?Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) This type of “talk therapy” is typically used to help a person with Asperger's better regulate his or her emotions and impulses. ... Sensory integration/occupational therapy Kids with Asperger's often have trouble controlling their senses.More items...•Mar 29, 2018

What are the 3 main symptoms of Aspergers?

What are the Symptoms of Asperger's Syndrome? Children with Asperger's Syndrome exhibit poor social interactions, obsessions, odd speech patterns, limited facial expressions and other peculiar mannerisms. They might engage in obsessive routines and show an unusual sensitivity to sensory stimuli.

What medication helps Aspergers?

There aren't any drugs approved by the FDA that specifically treat Asperger's or autism spectrum disorders. Some medications, though, can help with related symptoms like depression and anxiety. Your doctor may prescribe some of these: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)Jun 2, 2020

What happens if Aspergers goes untreated?

Some of the effects of unaddressed or untreated Asperger's syndrome may include: Social isolation. Difficulty making and keeping friends. Challenges in finding and maintaining steady employment.

Do Aspergers have anger problems?

In addition to difficulties with understanding emotions, individuals with ASDs may become angry quickly and may have difficulty calming themselves effectively. They often need to be taught skills to cope with an increase in irritability once they have been able to identify these emotions.

How can you tell if someone has Asperger's?

Signs and symptoms of Asperger's syndromeLack of interpersonal relationship skills and instincts.Inability to express one's own feelings.Often verbalizes internal thoughts that most would keep private.Flat tone / speaking style that lacks pitch.Appears to lack empathy.Has a difficult time interacting with peers.More items...

How do adults with Aspergers behave?

You may have a hard time reacting to actions, words, and behaviors with empathy or concern. Exaggerated emotional response. While not always intentional, adults with AS may struggle to cope with emotional situations, feelings of frustration, or changes in pattern. This may lead to emotional outbursts.

What is the most distinctive symptom of a person with Asperger's?

Signs of AS include obsessive interests, formal speech, rituals, social isolation, delay in motor skills, lack of imagination, and sensory difficulties.

What type of school is best for Aspergers?

The Temple Grandin School (TGS) is one of the best schools for Asperger's.

How does an Aspergers brain work?

Brain scans show that in most of us the amygdala, a center of emotion, is activated when we judge facial expressions. In people with Asperger's syndrome, the area that lights up is the prefrontal cortex, a seat of judgment and planning.Mar 9, 2014

Can Aspergers live normal life?

The simple answer to this question is yes, a person with autism spectrum disorder can live independently as an adult.Oct 27, 2020

What Is Asperger's Syndrome?

Asperger's is a developmental disorder that impacts the way people communicate, interact, move, and experience the world. It's likely the disorder begins very early in life, while babies are still developing during pregnancy, but symptoms aren't usually noticed until childhood.

ABA Therapy for Asperger's Syndrome

Of all forms of therapy for autism, ABA is the best researched and the most successful. That remains true whether people have Asperger's syndrome or another form of autism. This type of therapy has long fascinated researchers, and when they dig in, they discover that it works.

Medications for Asperger's

No drugs can treat the core symptoms of Asperger's, experts say. Taking a daily pill won't help you communicate clearly or interact like a neurotypical. But some medications could be helpful in your everyday life.

Speech Therapy

People with Asperger's syndrome don't develop language delays that are typical in autism. You may have started speaking right on time when compared to your peers. You may have an exceptional vocabulary filled with complex words, but speech therapy may still benefit you.

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists focus on activities of daily living, such as cooking, grooming, eating, working, and playing. Each one of these acts contributes to your quality of life, and they can help you live independently too.

What is the best treatment for Asperger's?

Therapy (including speech therapy for young children and cognitive behavioral therapy for adults) is another good alternative for exploring ways to improve quality of life for you, your child or your students. Many people with Asperger’s syndrome say that therapy helped them to deal with their symptoms or other problems.

How to help Asperger's syndrome?

Many people with Asperger’s syndrome say that therapy helped them to deal with their symptoms or other problems. Therapy providers for children and adults with Asperger’s syndrome include: 1 Physical therapists: Physical therapy can help improve coordination and balance. It can also help them to focus better when faced with distracting noises or sights. 2 Speech therapists: Speech therapy can improve your ability to speak clearly and at appropriate volumes. 3 Occupational therapists: Occupational therapy can help you learn job skills needed to become and stay independent. 4 Family or relationship therapists: This type of therapy can help children and adults have healthier relationships with friends and loved ones.

What is autism spectrum disorder?

Asperger's syndrome (sometimes called high-functioning autism) is part of a wide diagnosis called autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Since 2013, Asperger’s syndrome is replaced by the broader diagnosis of ASD within the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) revised criteria. People with ASD have difficulty with socializing ...

What kind of doctor can diagnose ASD?

Child psychologists or psychiatrists (both can specialize in ASD). Neurologists (doctors specializing in the brain and nerves). Therapists (clinical or behavioral). You may need to see one or more of these specialists while trying to get a diagnosis.

What is the best way to help people with Asperger's?

If you have Asperger’s syndrome, you might do best with structured, predictable environments and routines. Many children, teens and adults with Asperger's syndrome benefit from social skills groups and behavior intervention, like that offered by Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA).

Why is Asperger's syndrome different from other ASDs?

Asperger’s syndrome, as defined before 2013, was different than other ASDs because people with Asperger’s have average or higher-than-average language and intelligence levels.

What are some medications that help with Asperger's?

These medications include: Antidepressants (SSRIs or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors).

What type of therapy is used for Asperger's?

Several types of therapy are used to improve Asperger’s symptoms, including: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) This type of “talk therapy” is typically used to help a person with Asperger’s better regulate his or her emotions and impulses. It can also help children and adults cope with anxiety or depression.

What is the best way to deal with Asperger's?

Anger management Programs that help people learn to control and cope with their anger may be helpful for children and adults with Asperger’s syndrome. Support groups Group programs, or support groups, may help kids and adults with Asperger’s work on social skills in a safe environment. Certain organizations, such as Autism Speaks, ...

How to help someone with Asperger's?

Common alternative approaches for autism spectrum disorders include: 1 Massage A massage can be calming for someone with Asperger’s, but there’s no hard data to show it can improve symptoms. 2 Yoga Yoga can promote relaxation, make you more flexible, and improve balance. Some people believe it can help kids with Asperger’s relieve stress. 3 Chelation therapy This treatment is used to remove heavy metals from a person’s body, but it can be dangerous. Also, there’s no evidence to show it works for helping autism spectrum disorders. 4 Hyperbaric oxygen Some people believe breathing oxygen through a pressurized chamber can help symptoms. But this treatment isn’t approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and it hasn’t been proven effective. 5 Horse therapy Working with animals, such as horses, is a popular therapy for children with autism spectrum disorders. Many people believe the animals can be therapeutic. 6 Art or music therapy Creative treatments that include art or music are sometimes used along with standard therapy to help lessen sensitivity to touch or sound. 7 Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) infusions Some parents believe IVIG infusions can help symptoms of autism spectrum disorders, but there’s no research to show they work.

How can educational programs help with autism?

Educational therapies Well-structured educational programs can help children with autism spectrum disorders improve communication, social skills, and other behaviors. Educational therapies include many different activities and interventions to help kids learn ways to progress.

What percentage of children with autism have been given alternative treatment?

Alternative and Complementary Treatments. Between 30 and 95 percent of children with an autism spectrum disorder have been given some type of complementary or alternative treatment to help their symptoms. ( 4) It’s important to know that many of these therapies have not been shown to be effective in scientific studies.

How effective is ABA therapy?

A therapist customizes the program to each person’s needs. Several studies have shown ABA is effective at improving outcomes for kids with autism spectrum disorders.

What is neurofeedback in Asperger's?

Neurofeedback Neurofeedback, a type of biofeedback, is a method that involves helping you learn to control your body’s brain function. Research has shown it can improve attention, intelligence, and other symptoms in people with Asperger’s. ( 1) ( 2) ( 3)

Asperger Syndrome Treatment

Primarily diagnosed as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Asperger’s is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects a person’s communication skills and behavior.

Who Provides Diagnosis & Treatment

Diagnosis for Asperger syndrome must always be done by a doctor or a healthcare professional. Initial diagnosis may be conducted during regular check-ups of the child. As pediatricians are trained to accurately analyze the development pattern of a child, they may perform the primary screening.

Objective Of Asperger Syndrome Treatment

The main goal of asperger’s treatment is to reduce the symptoms and enhance the sufferer’s ability to function independently. The objective of treatment 2 involves maximizing functional independence, minimizing core deficits and reducing problematic behaviors which prevents functional skills.

Asperger Syndrome Treatment Approaches

It has been observed that children and adolescents with Asperger syndrome have certain service needs in various areas, such as educational, behavioral, family, health, support, leisure and others. An effective treatment strategy for Asperger’s must consider the needs of the patient.

Takeaway Of Asperger Syndrome Treatment

Effective treatment involving a combination of various therapies and medication can help control the patient’s problematic behaviors and other symptoms of Asperger’s syndrome. However, not every patient suffering from Asperger syndrome may require treatment.

What is Asperger's syndrome?

Asperger syndrome (AS) is a developmental disorder. It is an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), one of a distinct group of neurological conditions characterized by a greater or lesser degree of impairment in language and communication skills, as well as repetitive or restrictive patterns of thought and behavior. Other ASDs include: classic autism, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (usually referred to as PDD-NOS). Unlike children with autism, children with AS retain their early language skills. The most distinguishing symptom of AS is a child’s obsessive interest in a single object or topic to the exclusion of any other. Children with AS want to know everything about their topic of interest and their conversations with others will be about little else. Their expertise, high level of vocabulary, and formal spee...

What is the spectrum of Asperger's?

Asperger syndrome (AS) is a developmental disorder. It is an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), one of a distinct group of neurological conditions characterized by a greater or lesser degree of impairment in language and communication skills, as well as repetitive or restrictive patterns of thought and behavior.

What are the other ASDs?

Other ASDs include: classic autism, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (usually referred to as PDD-NOS). Unlike children with autism, children with AS retain their early language skills.

What is the best treatment for AS?

The ideal treatment for AS coordinates therapies that address the three core symptoms of the disorder: poor communication skills, obsessive or repetitive routines, and physical clumsiness. There is no single best treatment package for all children with AS, but most professionals agree that the earlier the intervention, the better.

Can adults with Asperger's work?

Many adults with AS are able to work successfully in mainstream jobs, although they may continue to need encouragement and moral support to maintain an independent life. Clinical Trials. Throughout the U.S. and Worldwide. NINDS Clinical Trials. Definition. Asperger syndrome (AS) is a developmental disorder.

Why would a doctor ask questions about Asperger's?

A medical doctor might ask questions or order tests to make sure there are no other medical concerns for the child. Asperger’s Syndrome (also known as “Autism Spectrum Disorder - without intellectual or language impairment”) may be difficult to diagnose.

What are the symptoms of Asperger's syndrome?

For a child with Asperger’s Syndrome, you may see one or more of the following symptoms: Inappropriate or minimal social interactions.

How to tell if a child has Asperger's?

While all children with Asperger’s Syndrome are different, what sets them apart are their unusual social skills and obsessive interests. For a child with Asperger’s Syndrome, you may see one or more of the following symptoms: 1 Inappropriate or minimal social interactions 2 Conversations that almost always revolve around themselves or a certain topic, rather than others 3 Not understanding emotions well or having less facial expression than others 4 Speech that sounds unusual, such as flat, high-pitched, quiet, loud, or robotic 5 Not using or understanding nonverbal communication, such as gestures, body language and facial expression 6 An intense obsession with one or two specific, narrow subjects 7 Becoming upset at any small changes in routines 8 Memorizing preferred information and facts easily 9 Clumsy, uncoordinated movements, including difficulty with handwriting 10 Difficulty managing emotions, sometimes leading to verbal or behavioral outbursts, self-injurious behaviors or tantrums 11 Not understanding other peoples’ feelings or perspectives 12 Hypersensitivity to lights, sounds and textures

How many times more likely are boys to have Asperger's?

Boys are three to four times more likely than girls to have Asperger’s Syndrome.

How old are boys when diagnosed with Asperger's?

Boys are three to four times more likely than girls to have Asperger’s Syndrome. Most cases are diagnosed between the ages of five and nine, with some diagnosed as early as age three.

Is Asperger's a condition?

As mentioned above, Asperger’s Syndrome is no longer diagnosed as a condition in and of itself. It is part of the range of conditions included in Autism Spectrum Disorder. If a parent is concerned about a child’s social development, unusual language patterns, and odd behaviors, a pediatrician should be consulted.

Can Asperger's syndrome be a developmental disorder?

Asperger’s Syndrome is a developmental disorder. Young people with Asperger’s Syndrome have a difficult time relating to others socially and their behavior and thinking patterns can be rigid and repetitive. Generally, children and teens with Asperger’s Syndrome can speak with others and can perform fairly well in their school work.

What is the best medication for Asperger's?

Often, Asperger’s syndrome symptoms are treated with medication. These include aripiprazole, SSRIs, guanfacine, naltrexone, olanzapine, and risperidone. Medications can help to control behavioral problems that your child might display. There are also non-medication treatments that can help as well.

What are the characteristics of Asperger's syndrome?

Engaging in repetitive behavior. Having difficulty in social interactions. Focusing on routines and rules. Standing firm on what they think. It is common for people diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome to have average or above-average intelligence. They are often able to hold jobs and be educated in traditional classrooms.

What is the spectrum of Asperger's?

Asperger’s is on the mild and of the autism spectrum. The primary symptoms that are exhibited by people who have Asperger’s syndrome are: Engaging in repetitive behavior.

What is the difference between autism and Asperger's?

Another difference between Asperger’s syndrome and other levels of autism has to do with cognitive ability. Some autistic individuals might have intellectual disabilities.

How many people have Asperger's?

It is difficult to know precisely how many people have Asperger’s syndrome. Some professionals, however, estimate that roughly 1 in every 250 people have an Asperger profile. Has your child been exhibiting behavioral issues such as obsessions, limited facial expressions, poor social interactions, or odd speech patterns?

Why do parents need ABA therapy?

ABA therapy can help parents cope with the challenges that typically accompany raising a child that suffers from Asperger’s syndrome.

Why is Asperger's so difficult to understand?

They might not be able to do certain tasks because of a lack of coordination.

What happens when you meet someone with Asperger's?

When you meet someone who has Asperger's syndrome, you might notice two things right off. They're just as smart as other folks, but they have more trouble with social skills. They also tend to have an obsessive focus on one topic or perform the same behaviors again and again.

Is Asperger's a separate condition?

They also tend to have an obsessive focus on one topic or perform the same behaviors again and again. Doctors used to think of Asperger's as a separate condition. But in 2013, the newest edition of the standard book that mental health experts use, called The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ( DSM-5 ), ...

Is Asperger's syndrome a diagnosis?

Today, Asperger's syndrome is technically no longer a diagnosis on its own. It is now part of a broader category called autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This group of related disorders shares some symptoms. Even so, lots of people still use the term Asperger's. The condition is what doctors call a "high-functioning" type of ASD.

What are some ways to help people with Asperger's?

Social Groups . Social groups and support groups can be a great way for people with Asperger’s and their families to connect with one another, as well as other people who are in similar situations. There are many different kinds of groups available across the country.

What are the symptoms of Asperger's?

Difficulty with nonverbal conversation skills (distance, loudness, tone, etc.) Uncoordinated movements, or clumsiness. Anxiety and depression. There are many ways to seek “treatment” for Asperger’s, such as medications, behavioral therapy, communication skills training, etc.

Can Asperger's cause liver damage?

Some risks may include, liver damage or other internal organ damage, as well as fatigue and drowsiness. Medications such as anti-anxiety medications can be great for people with Asperger’s. Often time these people experience high anxiety or stress in many social settings such as large crowds or even classrooms.

Is Asperger's syndrome a high functioning disorder?

Date Posted: March 18, 2019. Asperger’s syndrome is a condition considered to be a high functioning form of autism. It is on the autism spectrum, which may sound more intimidating than it actually is. While it is on the spectrum, many people are able to function in social settings with Asperger’s without you even knowing that have it at all.

Can ADHD medication help with Asperger's?

Antidepressants/ ADHD Medications/ Anti- Anxiety. While there is no medication that “cures” Asperger’s, there are medications that can help you cope with the symptoms. Some doctors may prescribe Antidepressants or ADHD medications depending on the person’s symptoms.

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