Asperger's syndrome, a high-functioning version of autism, is characterized by many symptoms. Though it is classified as a form of autism, children that are diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome are generally more independent and self-sufficient, and show no signs of verbal difficulties in fact, they may seem verbally advanced for their age. Asperger's syndrome symptoms vary among children, but the main symptom is serious trouble with social situations. Children can have mild to severe symptoms, and exhibit a few or all of the traits. Though children with Asperger's syndrome are autistic, they typically have normal to advanced language skills and intellectual ability/development. Because of the variety of symptoms, no two children diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome are alike; that's why it's so important to be thoroughly educated on autism and Asperger's syndrome.
Asperger's syndrome is almost always diagnosed in childhood. Again, the main Asperger's syndrome symptom is severe trouble with social situations, but there are many others.
Children with Asperger's syndrome often fail to pick up on conventional social cues they may not understand body language, have difficulty maintaining a conversation or taking turns in a discussion, or understand differences in speech tone. For example, sarcasm is lost on children with Asperger's syndrome; they take everything literally. Additionally, since individuals with Asperger's syndrome fail to understand pitch, accent, and tone of another's speech, their own speech lacks pitch, accent and tone. They may also have a unique style of speaking that is advanced for their age, or more formal than regular speech. It is not uncommon for children with Asperger's to do a lot of talking, but usually on one of their favorite subjects.
Unusual facial expressions and postures characterize Asperger's syndrome children and adults with Asperger's don't understand or recognize social cues, so they fail to utilize them.
They will often avoid eye contact, appear to lack empathy, and be overly-sensitive to lights, loud noises, or extreme textures and tastes. Like other autistic children, those with Asperger's have limited, narrow interests, but this takes on a different form since their communication skills are more developed. Children with Asperger's are often interested in more practical activities, such as jigsaw puzzles, mathematics, science, or highly technical drawings or blueprints. Additionally, individuals diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome often make more of an effort to interact socially, engage in activities with peers, and make friends.
Most of these symptoms last throughout the child's life, but many children diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome do begin to learn the social skills they lack during adolescence. Teens with Asperger's want to have friends and usually make a serious effort to fit in, although there are some setbacks; he or she will begin to seriously feel different from others. Adults with Asperger's syndrome can lead extremely productive lives and careers, many choose to marry and have a family. Some adults have learned social behavior cues over time, though they may still be frustrated in new situations. In fact, many legendary icons have been thought to display some of the symptoms of Asperger's syndrome among them are Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, Thomas Jefferson, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
