To date, there is no exact census of the number of people diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome. in the world. Having this census on ASD (autism spectrum disorder) would undoubtedly allow to have more resources and above all, have more means to be able to make an early detection.
The main problem with Asperger syndrome is that many people reach maturity without knowing that all their sensations, their feelings and the fact of "feeling different" responds not to a disease, but to a syndrome that with appropriate strategies, it would make it possible to feel more integrated and emotionally skilled. Today is the day of Asperger syndrome and in "Mothers Today" we want to talk to you about this topic.
Autism and Asperger syndrome are two different disorders
There are many false myths surrounding Asperger syndrome that will help us to understand their reality much better. In the first place there is a tendency to think that this syndrome is something similar to autism but somewhat milder, and with high capacities. It is common to think of them as great geniuses but emotionally disconnected.
- It is not true. Asperger's syndrome, as indicated by the DSM-V, is a pervasive developmental disorder that occurs differently from autism.
- In autism, the characteristics are usually evident from the age of 3, in the case of children with Asperger's they can go unnoticed as they do not have any cognitive delay.
- The most obvious aspects that would allow us to diagnose a person with Asperger's is their social development: They have a hard time connecting with people, they use a singular language and they tend to be very attached to routines throughout the day. All this makes all these traits more evident in more mature times.
- Another unique characteristic that will make us warn an Asperger child early is his motor clumsiness. Their movements are slower, and with less fine motor skills, but we must bear in mind that it could also be due to a maturation delay.
Asperger syndrome and the emotional world
The main indication that a mother, a father or an educator will have when suspecting whether a child may be Asperger's are their problems with language and their limitation when it comes to socializing.
When we talk about problems with language, we are not referring to limitations when it comes to articulating, expressing or understanding. We have to understand that human language is primarily emotionalAspects such as empathy allow people to connect with each other, share laughter, intuit sadness, understand ironies ...
- Asperger children often have a lot of trouble making friends. The rest of the children usually label them as "naive"
- They do not understand the emotional world of other people, nor their intentions. They appear somewhat cold credulity, "disconnected" from reality.
- They do not usually have long conversations, in a short time they are distracted, lose interest or walk away leaving others confused.
- Another aspect to keep in mind is that they are usually "very sensitive." Strong odors, lights, or slightly strong flavors cause discomfort.
Something curious to know is that some people who reach adulthood without knowing that they are Aspergers have learned to adapt in social contexts in an almost admirable way. They limit themselves to imitating gestures and emotional expressions to integrate. Over the years they develop their own emotional lifesavers in order to lead a more or less normal life.
The problems of a late diagnosis
One aspect that we must bear in mind is that despite the fact that the Austrian psychiatrists Leo Kanner and Hans Asperger first described the clinical pictures of ASD (autism spectrum disorder) in the 40s, Asperger syndrome did not appear in DSM-V until the mid-90s.
This means that today there are many people who have reached adulthood without knowing the origin of their reality. If at any time they were tested, they would be discarded because they do not have the same characteristics as autism.
- All this has made socially, they were labeled as 'weird', as 'geeks' or as people with a strange personality.
- Many people with Asperger's have some outstanding feature, such as his ability in mathematics, his excellent memory or his ability to draw. We must be clear that "not all Aspergers are geniuses", but sometimes, this genius is also a personal challenge.
- Another aspect to keep in mind is that this lack of mastery in social and emotional aspects can leave many scars. They can suffer harassment in schools, contempt in work environments and in turn, a great feeling of loneliness.
- The fact that they are not emotionally skilled does not mean that they do not feel emotions, this must be clear. They just don't understand them They do not manage them properly and this can make them respond badly at times and show some aggressiveness.
The relief of having a diagnosis
As mothers, as fathers, we should not be afraid to take our children to a specialist so that they can offer us an answer in view of certain problems that we see in the development of children. The best we can do for them is to offer early strategies for them to grow and reach adulthood safely, knowing what is happening to them,
- The diagnosis is necessary and is a relief. Many people who today are in their thirties or forties lack it and do not know that Asperger syndrome responds very well to certain psychological strategies, and that it could make them understand much better.
- The Asperger is not a disease, it is a neurodiversity that is not cured: it is treated by taking care of the person individually, because not all Aspergers are the same or are on the same spectrum.
- Going to therapies to reinforce empathy and social integration is essential, and the sooner we start, the better. Teaching them to understand their reality to get out of their emotional ignorance to understand who they are in front of and to be able to integrate and relate is an effective way to promote happiness, self-esteem and self-understanding.
To conclude, today is the day of Asperger's syndrome, and therefore, it is necessary that we put aside the false myths: it is not a disease, nor are Aspergers robots devoid of emotions. They have them and suffer like any of us if we are rejected. They just need to be understood and offer them closeness and the same opportunities that we would give to anyone else.