Boys with Asperger’s Syndrome

Parents of boys with Asperger’s syndrome face challenges on a daily basis.  Adolescents with Aspergers can appear normal to the untrained eye, but parents who have loved a son or daughter with this mental illness know well the emotional toll it can take on their lives.  Often confused with autism, Asperger’s victims generally display a higher level of intelligence from autistic kids, but struggle largely with social cues and often exhibit eccentric behaviors.

Most children with Asperger's Disorder find difficulty interacting in normal activities with peers their own age.  They tend to isolate themselves and display peculiar behavior that can promote draw attention from others.  For example, a boy struggling with Asperger's, may spend an unusual amount of time on a particular task or activity, without thought of the time or the environment in which it is in.  Normal common sense rationale does not often apply.  They can also struggle with physical coordination and other specialty skillsets, making them stand out to others—affecting their social climate.

What can parents do to help their boy with Asperger’s Syndrome?

Dealing with boys with Asperger’s Syndrome can be difficult, but there are a few things that parents can do to increase their effectiveness and create a safe haven for their child.  One of the greatest sources of comfort for a child struggling with this disease is structure and order.  In light of this, one of the main things that boys with Asperger’s syndrome crave is following routines.  When daily routines change or when new items/experiences are introduced into their lives it can cause uneasiness and a shift in their behavior.  The more parents can create daily routines that follow a time schedule and set of familiar activities, the more safe and in control the Asperger’s patient feels. 

What is the cause of Aspergers?

Although the cause of Asperger's Disorder is not directly known, much of the present research and study is leaning towards the theory that the condition may be genetically passed on. Children who are either born with or develop Asperger's Syndrome have also been identified to be at a higher risk for other psychiatric problems including depression, attention deficit disorder, schizophrenia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. 

Many Child and adolescent psychiatrists are now specializing in Asperger’s Syndrome and have been trained to evaluate pervasive developmental disorders like autism and Asperger's Disorder.  These type of behavioral therapists work with families to design short and long term treatment programs.