Hi, I'm Craig Kendall, the author of
The Asperger's Syndrome Survival Guide. In today's newsletter we are going
to answer the question ...
What is Asperger's syndrome?
(Click on the arrow on the video to begin
playing)
But first, I want to thank you for subscribing to my Surviving
Aspergers Newsletter. During the next few weeks, I will send you emails with critical information
you need to survive and succeed with Aspergers.
"Signs and Symptoms of
Asperger's"
Click here to download your Special
Report "Signs and Symptoms of Asperger's"
which includes additional information from my book, "The
Asperger's Syndrome Survival Guide".
I started my quest to learn everything possible about how to
live successfully with Aspergers because of my son, Alex, who has Aspergers.
Through our research, experience with therapists, and much trial-and-error,
my wife and I have slowly and painstakingly learned the secrets to helping Alex develop friendships
and succeed in life.
I want to share these secrets with you.
Success Strategies Not Available Anywhere Else
I gathered a TON of great information that is essential for any
parent, professional or loved one with Asperger's syndrome.
Much of this information is NOT available anywhere else because
I got this information from interviewing parents, teachers and people with Aspergers who shared
with me what works and what does not.
In my research, much of the information I found on the Internet
or in books was either too technical and written for doctors, or was very superficial. It did not
answer the questions we had and did not tell me what actually worked.
I wanted the truth from people who lived with Aspergers day in
and day out. After years of work I gained experience and I slowly found out the secrets to
success.
Many parents, teachers and professional who saw this information
told me to write a book and share this valuable information. This resulted in my paperback book,
'The Asperger’s Syndrome Survival Guide - What You and Your Family Need Know'.
My book, completed in 2008, and has all of the most currently
available answers to help a loved one survive and thrive with Aspergers. Click on the following
link (or paste it into your browser) to get more information immediately:
Note:
my newly released book on Aspergers for Teens and Young Adults discusses
bullying, anxiety, depression and what to do about it. Click here for more information:
So let's get started. In today's newsletter
we are going to answer the question ...
What is Asperger's syndrome?
Let's start with the basics. Asperger's Syndrome is a developmental
disability. That means it is something you are born with, that affects the way you develop, and
the way you understand the world.
While every person with Aspergers is a unique individual with
a unique personality and individual issues, Aspergers kids have similar symptoms (i.e., challenges
in the following areas):
1. SOCIAL FUNCTIONING
2. SENSORY ISSUES
3. OBSESSIVE INTERESTS
4. ROUTINE
SOCIAL FUNCTIONING
Let's talk about difficulties with social functioning. An
individual with Aspergers will often have difficulties with social functioning, whether that's
a child having difficulty getting along with other kids on the playground, or an adult not understanding
office politics. After interviewing hundreds of parents for my book, I have found that the single
most common symptom among kids who had been diagnosed with Aspergers syndrome is poor social
functioning.
Your child probably will prefer to play by himself instead
of with others. He likely will have difficulty making friends. He won't understand social cues.
The social grace and "hidden social messages" we take for
granted are like a foreign language to someone with Aspergers. Another common symptom are sensory
issues.
SENSORY ISSUES
He will also likely have sensory issues, such as thinking
something is too loud, that fabric is too rough, or that something is moving too fast or smells
bad. These issues are also very common--especially oversensitive to light, sound, even smells.
In adults, these issues often translate into their environment. It is often very difficult for
someone with Aspergers to work in a noisy chaotic office. Papers rustling, phones ringing or
even the smell of a co-worker's perfume can be overwhelming to these sensitive souls.
Many "Aspies" (a term often used for those with Asperger's
syndrome) have a lot of difficulty with the feel of their clothing. Many moms have told
me that they only buy clothes from thrift stores for their children because they are much softer
and worn. Others have to wash pairs of jeans 10 or 20 times before they can be worn by
their son or daughter. Adults can have challenges with suits or ties.
These issues can be overwhelming, especially to a child,
but help is available, as you will soon see.
OBSESSIVE INTERESTS
Obsessive interests are typical. And this focus on one subject
to the exclusion of others, often contributes to their social isolation. Obsessive interests
are part and parcel of Aspergers syndrome and most children with Asperger's have special interests
that they talk about all the time. One child might be obsessed with train schedules. Another
with World War II history. A third with volcanoes. And so on.
The inability to truly be interested in a wide range of subjects
contributes to a child's social isolation especially when kids start school. While their friends
are talking about sports or Pokemon, the Aspergers youngster may exclusively talk about trains.
It doesn't take long before his or her school mates loose interest in both the subject of trains
AND in your child.
ROUTINE
Aspies are often fixated on routines. Insistence on routine
is nearly universal. It is possible that any change in routine can cause a meltdown. Yet this
insistence on sticking to routine helps someone with Aspergers feel grounded. But many parents
feel that this fixation with routine can be to the extreme. With children, even small deviations
from routines, such as sitting at a different place around the dinner table, can cause a meltdown.
Most kids with Aspergers need to know when everything is
happening in order not to feel completely overwhelmed. If there will be a change in your child's
routine (such as a vacation), tell him or her in advance. Write down what you will do,
where you will go, what time you will leave, etc. The more that your child can understand
what the changes will be, the easier it will be for him or her to accept them.
But there is hope!
This does not mean it is all bad. Those with Asperger's are usually
very honest and are hard working when it is something they are interested in. They are loving and
intelligent in their own way. They often have excellent memories and are not afraid to think for
themselves. Most do very well in school, especially in math and science. If channeled correctly,
the obsession with a particular subject can result in a highly valued employee to the right employer.
For additional information on Asperger's Syndrome go to the web
site www.AspergersSociety.org. There
you will be able to sign up for the free Aspergers newsletter as well as get additional information
on the best selling book, The Asperger's Syndrome Survival Guide.
Craig Kendall is the father of an Asperger's child and the author
of "The Asperger's Syndrome Survival Guide". You can find more information about living with Asperger's
Syndrome by contacting him on this site: www.AspergersSociety.org
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