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Does My Child Have Asperger's Syndrome?

As a parent, your questions sometimes challenge the medical establishment. Too early to offer a definitive diagnosis, too controversial to contend with the backlash it might offer, and too afraid to not toe the party line that that a particular physician's office may have to offer, getting answers is not easy. Some parents have taken to do some haphazard self diagnosis, a practice that is fraught with mistakes and problems in.

To learn if your child has Asperger's Syndrome (AS) does indeed require the help of a qualified physician, preferably one who has been in the business of diagnosing the condition for a while. If you are not yet certain if the child really should be evaluated for this condition, consider the following:

* Has your child been unable to form age appropriate relationship with other kids? Conversely, is your child consistently picked last for every activity and are other children snickering behind his back, making fun of his mannerisms or speech?

* Does your child take everything you say literal? Is he unable to read nonverbal clues to understand your playful mood? Does it appear like he is lost when there is word humor used, even on television during age appropriate children's programs?

* Does your child seem to lack the need for close interactions, such as hugging, snuggling, and sharing things with you? Is there a marked absence of babbling, pointing, and attempts to interact with you on some level? Does your child fail to respond to your attempt to initiate this kind of interaction with him?

Mind you, there is no hard and fast rule that identifies a child given to such characteristics as being definitely a candidate for an Asperger's Syndrome diagnosis. On the other hand, a collection of these symptoms should worry you sufficiently that you will decide to make that appointment with your child's pediatrician. She or he may suggest help from a specialist dealing with Asperger's Syndrome and also autism related disorders that may be entirely separated from AS.

It is scary to consider the implications that the diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome brings with it; what is even worse, however, is the failure to have that diagnosis made. A child with AS will not benefit from having the condition ignored and instead it is the child whose parents and caregivers know early on what to expect, who will do better in school, integrate more easily into the classroom setting, and also learn to overcome the barriers that currently hamper his ability to make friends.

Additionally, teaching a child with Asperger's Syndrome in the school setting requires preparation by the teacher, and it is left to the parents to advocate for their children in this setting. Failure to have a name to put to the condition the teacher will experience over the course of the school year is certain to prevent her or him from adequately adjusting the curriculum and class setting to maximize the child's learning opportunities. Thus, getting answers to your question if your child has Asperger's Syndrome is crucial!