People with problems of socialization and adaptation are often found in society. They are often considered eccentrics, psychopaths, hermits. Many of these individuals could be diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, named after a pediatrician who observed this disorder in children in the mid-20th century.
Asperger Syndrome - what is it?
At the age of six, the child is already well aware of social norms, communicates with peers and adults. Children who do not fit well within the framework established by society, who are lagging behind in socialization skills, are diagnosed with Asperger's dysfunction, what is this syndrome - described by Austrian pediatrician and psychologist Hans Asperger. He considered this dysfunction as one of the forms of autism and called autistic psychopathy.
In 1944, the attention of the scientist was attracted to children from 6 to 18 years old, who were completely absent or greatly reduced interest in the society. Another distinguishing feature of these children were poor facial expressions and speech, according to which it was not clear that the child feels like he thinks. At the same time, there was no apparent backwardness of such children intellectually - tests showed that the mental development of children is normal or very high.
Asperger's Syndrome - Causes
According to statistics, voiced at a special meeting of the European Parliament on autism, about 1 percent of the population suffers from autistic disorders. The reasons for the development of Asperger syndrome, which is part of the spectrum of these disorders, have been poorly studied, studies show that a combination of factors - environmental, biological, hormonal, etc., leads to brain disorders. Most of the scientists hold the same opinion that Asperger syndrome is inherited, this is confirmed by a large number of known facts.
To negative factors, with a high probability of provoking the development of Asperger's syndrome, include:
severe intra-uterine and perinatal infections;- prematurity;
- exposure to toxic substances;
- the effects of vaccination;
- autoimmune response of the maternal organism.
Asperger's Syndrome - Specific Behavior
Determine Asperger syndrome in appearance is almost impossible, the idea of the presence of dysfunction may be prompted by a certain behavior of a person. People with Asperger's syndrome have a violation in the following triad:
- communications;
- interaction;
- imagination.
In the presence of the syndrome, it is difficult for a person to communicate and interact with other people. He finds it difficult:
- to understand the mood of a person by intonation, gestures or facial expressions;
- adequately start or end a conversation;
- to distinguish between serious statements and sarcasm or humor;
- correctly interpret figurative expressions, metaphors;
- find alternatives for the development of the situation;
- maintain a love relationship and make friends.
The individual sees such an individual as strange and tactless, incapable of working with people. For example, a person with this syndrome is quite capable of ignoring the rules of etiquette, touching on a painful topic or extremely unsuccessfully joking. The negative reaction of others will cause the patient to be perplexed, but he simply will not understand the reasons for this. Faced with misunderstanding many times, a person with autistic disorders becomes even more withdrawn, alienated, indifferent.
Asperger's Syndrome in Adults - Symptoms
Experiencing difficulties in the emotional sphere, people with Asperger's syndrome experience a love for studies based on a clear algorithm and logic. Autistic personalities in everything prefer order and system: they adhere to a clear route and timetable, any disruptions and delays knock them out of the rut. The hobbies of such individuals are very strong and often last a lifetime, for example, such a person can become a brilliant programmer (Bill Gates), a chess player (Bobby Fisher).
In an individual with a diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome, the symptoms of the disease are always associated with the senses. Sensory problems in such a patient are manifested in hypersensitivity to sounds, bright light, smells - any strong or unfamiliar stimulus can cause anger, anxiety or pain. Such excessive sensory sensitivity leads to the fact that the individual experiences difficulties in moving in the dark, the need to avoid obstacles, to do the work associated with fine motor skills.
Symptoms of Asperger's Syndrome in Women
Autistic violations are manifested differently depending on the gender of the person. The Asperger syndrome in women can be suspected by the following signs:
- indifferent to its appearance - almost not dyed, prefers a natural hairstyle and comfortable clothes;
- has no girlfriends, does not understand purely feminine hobbies;
- eccentric;
- looks very young;
- can not decide on sexual orientation;
- copies other people's behavior;
- goes from reality to books and movies;
- feels comfortable only at home;
- often feels anxiety, swings in mood;
- commits obsessive movements, cyclical rituals;
- often prefers solitude;
- can not find its place in life and create with the family.
How do men with Asperger syndrome behave?
Even in the presence of dysfunction, a man is able to achieve great success in a professional way. Therefore, he is rarely deprived of women's attention. How to understand a man with Asperger's syndrome to a woman:
- passion for a certain occupation, taciturnity, inability to say pleasant things, quick temper, selfishness, desire for solitude - all this is a manifestation of the disease;
- lie often covers sensory problems - it can lie that it is sick to avoid going to noisy friends;
- bored conversations about work or hobbies mask the inability to conduct a small talk;
- household quibbles also often arise due to sensory sensitivity - it can get tired of fuss, abandon clothes because of its stiffness;
- problems in sex arise from the lack of correct education - often a man learns about the intimate life of the video and believes that in normal life everything happens the same way.
Asperger syndrome in children - symptoms
A more successful behavior correction is achieved if the disorders are identified in childhood. Asperger syndrome - signs in children:
- clumsiness, unwillingness to play mobile games;
- complexity when manipulating objects;
- fear of strangers;
- non-solitude in the company of other children;
- fascination with one game, protest when trying to distract;
- strong attachment to home and parents.
Asperger's Syndrome - difference from autism
Two diseases - Asperger's syndrome and autism - have many common features, this fact can be explained by the fact that the first disease is a kind of the second. But they have many differences. The most basic is that with Asperger's syndrome, the person is fully preserved intellect. He is able to study well, work fruitfully, but all this - with a competent correction of behavior.
Is it possible to cure Asperger syndrome?
Medicines for complete cure for this ailment, as well as for autism, do not exist. To life with Asperger's syndrome was as comfortable as possible, and the sick person could realize himself as much as possible, it is necessary to develop his communicative abilities. In addition to psychotherapy, doctors prescribe auxiliary drugs - neuroleptics, psychotropic medications, stimulants. Help in therapy can be provided by close people who should treat the patient with maximum attention and patience.
Asperger's Syndrome and Genius
Manifestations of this deviation affect all mental processes, changing them, and sometimes for the better. With this syndrome, the intellect remains intact, which makes it possible to successfully develop abilities. Often accompany Asperger syndrome: natural literacy, excellent mathematical ability, analytical mind , etc. For this reason, among the brilliant people there are so many who demonstrate the symptoms of this disease.
Asperger syndrome - famous people
Celebrities with Asperger's syndrome are found in the most diverse fields of science, business, art, sports:
- Asperger Syndrome - Einstein. This brilliant scientist was extremely hard-tempered. He began to speak late, did not do well in school and was only interested in one thing - science.
- Asperger's syndrome is Mark Zuckerberg. The creator of one of the most famous social networks, there are many symptoms, among them - the lack of interest in the opinion of others.
- Asperger's Syndrome in Messi. Football player Lionel Messi is completely focused on his favorite sport, to the detriment of other aspects of life.
- Asperger Syndrome - Bill Gates. Autistic psychopathy is often called the disease of programmers, and Bill Gates has many symptoms - focusing on a favorite thing, striving for order, a mismatch of social expectations.