Although it isn't as debilitating as autism, Asperger's is no less impairing. Aspergers syndrome was first describe by Hans Asperger, an Austrian physician, in 1944. It is one of a sub set of what is called Autistic Spectrum Disorders in European countries, or Pervasive Developmental Disorders ("PDD"), in the United States.
As a parent of a toddler with Asperger's Syndrome there are probably many questions you want to have answered the main one being how will the disorder affect your child and your child's future?
It can affect them in number of ways. Clumsiness is prominent both in their articulation and behavior however the most common difficulties are to do with communication. Sufferers often have a particularly strong area of interest. This area of interest can range form cars to doornobs to history or astronomy. They appear to be almost obsessed to the exclusion of more normal interests.
There are also problems in social interaction and non-verbal communication. Their speech can be strange due to abnormalities of inflection and a repetition.
Whatever you do, don't give in to feelings of hopelessness that often accompany diagnoses of serious illnesses and rest assured: Your child will be capable of living a productive life the same as anyone else.
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association, Version Four, Text Revision, Asperger's Disorder is characterized by the following symptoms:
- Impairment in social interaction as evidenced by reduced non-verbal behaviors such as eye contact, facial expressions, body postures, and gestures.
- Failure to develop social peer relationships; the child is uninterested in same-age peers.
- Lack of spontaneous seeking to enjoy bonding with others; the child is uninterested in sharing pleasurable experiences with others.
- Restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior such as intense necessity for routine and organization, adherence to strange rituals, movements such as hand or finger flapping, twisting, or rocking.
- The disturbance causes significant impairment in social behavior.
- There is no clinically significant delay in language and communication single words. Unlike autism, children with Asperger's Disorder have much less social and learning impairment.
Now that you have familiarized yourself with the major characteristics of Asperger's there are a few more things that you can do to help your toddler cope with the world. Look into getting professional help. A reputable specialist familiar with the disorder can offer advice on your child's development and a clinical psychologist can work in tandem with your pediatrician to help improve your child's social skills through therapy and/or medication. When your toddler is of age to begin pre-school, seek the counsel of a special education expert as well, as school is a very social and academic environment.
The exact cause of Asperger's Disorder is still a mystery, and although there is no "cure" for this condition, there are many behavioral and psychiatric interventions that will help your child achieve a meaningful life. Hans Asperger, an Austrian physician, first described the syndrome in 1944.
Why is early learning important?
The first years of life lay the neurological foundation for intellectual growth into adolescence and adulthood. This time represents a unique window of opportunity for learning.
Each of the brain's neurons is connected to roughly 5,000 others. In general, the more dendrites (branches between neurons) and synapses (connections between neurons) the brain has, the greater its processing power. More pathways mean information can travel in a number of ways, opening the door to faster and more complex thinking.
This is true in the adult, but not in the infant. Your baby's brain actually has more neurons and synapses than yours - but only because it hasn't passed an important developmental stage, known as pruning, in which the brain deletes unneeded neural connections in the interests of organization and efficiency.
"Use it or lose it"
The process of pruning is illustrative of the high plasticity (adaptability) of young brains, which are literally sculpted by the environments in which they are raised. Scientific testing of how exactly experience shapes the brain has led to the theory of "critical periods" - specific time periods in which stimulation must occur, or the chance to develop normal functioning will be lost.
The same principle holds true in humans. Scientists have discovered, for instance, that certain areas of the brain are larger and more developed in children who play musical instruments than in those who do not. These include the cerebellum, which processes rhythm and timing, and the corpus callosum, which acts as the conduit for communication between the brain's left and right hemispheres - vital for musicians coordinating their right and left hands.
Sowing the seeds of intelligence
Early learning programs such as Head Start in the US are producing measurable cognitive and emotional benefits in children - benefits that can last into middle and even high school. In general, the younger intervention is staged, the more significant and long-lived the effects. Full-day educational programs for infants have been shown to produce IQ gains lasting into adolescence.
The question is: why only provide such positive stimulation to children from disadvantaged backgrounds?
Many leading childhood development experts believe that we all have far greater potential in our early years than society gives us credit for. Waiting until school to begin providing consistent intellectual stimulation to a child is no disaster. But in doing so, we miss a unique window of opportunity for learning.
Both Graham Johns & Madeleine Fitzpatrick are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Graham Johns has sinced written about articles on various topics from Auto Insurance, Infants And Toddlers and Auto Insurance. Graham Johns writes regularly for YourToddler.net where you can read many more articles on . Also go to Family Life for a range of informative articles on. Graham Johns's top article generates over 27100 views. to your Favourites.
Madeleine Fitzpatrick has sinced written about articles on various topics from Infants And Toddlers, Interview Questions and Infants And Toddlers. Madeleine is the Managing Editor @ Brillbaby.comGot a question or concern? Email the Editor, who is currently her own. Madeleine Fitzpatrick's top article generates over 3600 views. to your Favourites.