Symptoms of Asperger's syndrome

Asperger's syndrome is an autism spectrum disorder and it features with specific problems related to social interaction and restricted and/or repetitive patterns of behavior. Unlike other autism disorders patients suffering from Asperger's syndrome may reach certain level of linguistic and cognitive development. There is a vast majority of symptoms of this disorder and the most prominent ones are associated with social interactions.

Symptoms of Asperger's Syndrome during Childhood

In many cases parents notice problem once the child starts preschool and once he/she becomes engaged in social interaction with other children. In contact with their peers children suffering from Asperger's syndrome may reveal their inability to pick up on social cues and they generally lack inborn social skills. These children may not be able to maintain conversation or take turns talking and similar. There is also a change in their routine. Being unable to recognize subtle difference in speech tone, pitch and accent they are not capable of understanding a joke or any kind of sarcastic comments.

Children suffering from Asperger's syndrome usually avoid eye contact or simply stare at other people. Even their facial expression and posture are odd. They also suffer form delayed motor development.

One of the characteristics of the syndrome is that a child may be preoccupied with only one or few interests. He/ she is very knowledgeable about the specific topic. This topic of interest is usually most discussed and a child may be engaged in one-sided conversation. Even internal thoughts may be verbalized.

And finally, these kids are oversensitive and may become overstimulated by loud noises, lights and even strong tastes.

Symptoms of Asperger's Syndrome during Adolescence and Teenage Years Majority of the previously mentioned symptoms linger through the adolescence and the teen years. The leading problem is communication. There is an improvement in social interactions but they never reach the desirable level. A teen suffering from Asperger's syndrome will experience difficulties once he/ she feels a need to become a friend with certain people. Shyness will usually prevent them from approaching their peers. These children may additionally feel 'different' from others. Furthermore, they are more naive and immature comparing to their peers. All the previously mentioned leads to social isolation and onset of anxiety or depression.

Symptoms of Asperger's Syndrome in Adulthood

Being a lifelong condition Asperger's syndrome causes certain symptoms even in adulthood. A person may stabilize over time and improve his/ her behavior significantly. Adult people suffering from Asperger's syndrome are capable of learning social skills, they normally get married and have children.

Specific trait of people with Asperger's syndrome may increase their chances of university and career success. They are fascinating in field of technology and engineering. Still, scientific carrier is the only part of their lives where they are completely successfully and not jeopardized at all. On the other hand, they will have to manage with interpersonal relationship and improve their behavior.