Parents who look at their child with Asperger syndrome (AS), and see the struggles and difficulties, want to know what Aspergers treatment is available to enable their child to live a full and happy life. No parent wants to see their child struggling with things that many of us take for granted. So what options are available to assist families and patients with Asperger’s syndrome?
Aspergers Treatment Options:
- Behavioral therapy
- Hiring a behavioral therapist to assist with your Aspie child at home
- Social skills therapy
- Healthy, well-balanced diet
- Educational support
- Medications
- Natural herbal remedies (as part of the overall treatment strategy)
Treatment For Aspies
Any treatments or interventions that can improve your child’s quality of life or functionality are well worth considering. Also setting up a holistic approach to Asperger treatment is almost certain to achieve much better results, rather than just focusing on one plan of attack.
It is important to keep in mind that there is currently no cure for those with Aspergers, but there is hope with treatment. There is no single Asperger syndrome treatment that achieves positive results in all cases, but one of the main forms of treatment for Aspies is behavioural therapy.
The main goal of any treatment is to e
mpower the Aspie to be able to better interact with those around them and to enable them to become a self-sufficient member of society. With this in mind it is important to begin behavioral therapy at as young an age as possible, once AS has been diagnosed. Since each child and adult with Aspergers differs in the specific symptoms, both in severity and number, it is important that any treatment plan be designed with this specific Aspie in mind in order to achieve the optimum outcome.
Behavioral Therapist At Home
Some families have found that it is tremendously helpful to hire a behavioural therapist to assist on a regular basis at home. This sets up a stable environment where your child builds a relationship with the therapist and can develop social skills through the on-going treatment.
As well as hiring an independent person as a behavioral therapist in your home, it is important that the parents and other family members also learn some behavioral techniques so as to assist your child. These skills will also give everyone involved a better understanding of the aspie and the resulting behavior.
Finding Services
You can begin by asking your family doctor if they can recommend any services or sources of treatment for your child. Most doctors or medical centers should be able to refer you to local services in your community.
The next port of call would be to contact your local school district. You should be able to gather information on what specific assistance is available to your child through the education system or other community based support systems.
Treat Other Possible Conditions
Another fact that is important to be mindful of is that your child may have other conditions as well as the Aspergers, which could bring additional challenges to the table.
Such coexisting conditions may include:
- Bipolar disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Depression
If you suspect that your child is affected by any of these additional conditions then be sure to consult your family doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor will then be able to point you in the best direction for treatment for any of these other disorders or conditions.
By getting on top of these quickly your child will be better able to handle any challenges that arise from AS and face life in a more positive way.
Conclusion
Aspergers syndrome is not always easy to deal with or understand, but for those with a loved one with AS it is essential that family members invest some time to better know and understand what is going on. There is hope and a future for aspies and their families. Remember to keep positive and seek support when you are feeling down or overwhelmed with the whole situation. Aspies can live a fulfilled life as a part of society; it just takes some effort to teach skills and patterns of relating socially.
Resources:
Aspergers Treatment – Mayo Clinic
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/aspergers-syndrome/DS00551/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs
Listen and Learn Centre – Asperger’s Syndrome
http://www.listenandlearn.com.au/disorders_aspergers.asp
Treatment for Asperger’s Disorder
http://psychcentral.com/lib/2007/treatment-for-aspergers-disorder/
I scored a 47. My son is being tested for high functioning autism /aspergers. My therapist suggested i get tested too.
my name is qiana ive never felt normal my whole life i stutter all the time and i can never think what i want to think and im happy that i scored a 30 because now i know why
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Very thought provoking post. I wholeheartedly agree that there is a common misconception that Asperger’s is mild’ and needs little or no support. I have 2 children with AS ( 1 boy privately dx and awaiting formal assessment and a girl has an agreement’ she has AS from all professionals involved and awaiting formal dx too .. there in itself is one issue. When my son went on the assessment waiting list the wait was 12-14 months . then it moved to 18 months and I have been told it is now a 2 year wait! Because he isn’t considered’ severe’ enough to be pushed further up the list, so he doesn’t take priority.)
Both my children present differently – the joys of gender differences in ASD as well as the fact that regardless of ASD they are 2 unique little people. I challenge anyone who doesn’t feel Asperger’s’ is real’ autism to spend 24 hours in my house. The anxiety is apparent when you walk through the door often ( especially if term time – my kids don’t do well with school or nursery .. another issue with AS kids masking’ their behaviour and letting their frustration of the day out at home where they are loved unconditionally), the stims, the violent behaviour from my son through his lack of frustration tolerance and skewed emotional regulation, the lack of sleep, the away with the pixies’ type way my daughter can be when highly anxious . she goes into her own fantasy world, the severe reaction to smells, noises and bright lights, the endless food issues, the excessive chewing- EVERYTHING .. this is just a small insight.Socially? well, my son hides from people and he is bullied at school at the end of last term it turned physical and I have the photos to prove it.
My daughter is in the active but odd’ category . so she approaches people and asks repetitive questions , stands too close etc oh and she also has a stammer , made worse by social anxiety. So she is bullied too , in the way she is excluded from games and even just general conversation with other kids and she is aware of this.And out? well, in the last 3 weeks my son has narrowly being missed by 2 cars and I had to drag him back from nearly throwing himself off a wall onto a car park 40 feet below .he goes from zero- full panic in seconds and he just bolts . and i don’t drive. Whilst I am chasing him my daughter is left alone and vulnerable. But my children are intelligent and verbal and the attitude even from professionals is that they are so mild they don’t need support apart from a bit of speech and language. And the verbal thing? well, both my children are selectively mute too- so when most people think ah well your children they can tell you what’s wrong and upsetting them actually they can’t just because they CAN talk doesn’t mean they always do and because of their ASD they struggle to explain many things.
My children are being let down by the medical system in terms of even formal diagnosis and there is little support, they are let down by the educational system as although intelligent, this isn’t enough to be a success’ at school and that academic ability is worthless if a child is crippled socially and bullied mercilessly as my beautiful children are. I can see the only option I have in the near future is to home educate. It is something I believe in, but it is something I will find very difficult for so many reasons.
There are no specialist schools in my area suitable for my children and the mainstream system is clearly not suitable for them . the story of so many parents of children with AS. So many children being failed but every time parents fight the system’ they are reminded how mild their children are. Actually I think that is totally untrue and I think many people are confused with the term high functioning’ .. a person can have high intelligence and be verbally very able but still be severely autistic i.e. resistance to change, self stims, routine driven, low frustration tolerance, struggle with daily living, literal thinkers etc, whereas in terms of low functioning’, it is sometimes the additional learning disability rather than the autism itself that can supersede the autistic issues . this is not always the case, but every child is different. I am so very with everyone from the next door neighbour to teachers thinking I live with 2 young geniuses who are just a bit shy’ . the reality is VERY different.
Best wishes, beth
Hi Beth
Your comment is heart-moving. Thank you for sharing it. 🙂
My heart truly does go out to you as I read the struggles that you and your children are experiencing!
I am sorry to hear of the bullying. From personal experience, I know how difficult and painful that can be (often more painful emotionally than physically!).
I hear what you are saying. The waiting list to receive a diagnosis and then further assistance is also a great stressor! I wish I could be more help. Know that you have someone praying for you and your precious family.
I truly do hope that things turn around in your lives for good! I really do.
God’s richest blessings be upon you and your family.
Justine