Lunch date

January 7, 2010


It's funny how life takes you on journeys and reacquaints you with people from your past.

A few weeks ago, I was on a date in a part of town that I rarely visit. On this date, I mentioned that I knew someone who lived in the area. As I pointed in the direction of where she lived, I bumped into her on the street. This was the perfect opportunity to reconnect; so today we had lunch. Erin and I filled each other in on the trials and triumphs of the last year. I always remember Erin as the "hip mom" devoted to her children, but still cool and liberal. I remember a number of years ago, her having to meet with her son's teacher quite regularly. He was a bright kid, but tended to be a bit of a class clown. It turns out that he has Asperger's Syndrome.

I know a little bit about Asperger, mainly from reading The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, but I would like to learn a bit more about it. Today's question is: What is Asperger's Syndrome?

A: Asperger's Syndrome is one of the Autism Spectrum Disorders. While there are similarities to autism, individuals with Asperger tend to be high functioning with large vocabularies. People with Asperger tend to have great difficulty with social interaction and communication. Unlike those with autism, they are not withdrawn, and tend to approach others but have difficulty knowing when to start or end a conversation. Individuals may also display difficulty understanding social cues such as gestures, facial expressions, personal space or tone of voice. Additional symptoms include sensory sensitivity, obsessive interests and a love of routine.

The cause of Asperger's Syndrome is unknown, although studies suggest that it may be genetic and show that it may be linked to structural abnormalities in the brain. Due to varying signs and serveries, it is usually difficult to diagnose Asperger's Syndrome. Sometimes individuals are misdiagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, possibly because of similarities in the symptoms.

There is no cure for Asperger, however several treatments exist including communication and social skills training, cognitive behaviour therapy and medication. As this disorder causes difficulties socializing and communicating, it is sometime challenging for parents and families to cope. Support groups such as the Asperger's Parenting Network and the GTA Asperger's Group are good sources of information and encouragement.

Sources:
Aperger Syndrome Education Network (ASPEN)
The Mayo Clinic: Asperger's Syndrome
The National Autistic Society
Wikipedia: Asperger Syndrome