Aspergers Syndrome

More than a mental disorder

According to WebMD, Aspergers Syndrome is a type of Pervasive Developmental

Disorder (PDD) thats considered to be on the high-functioning end of autism. Even though
Aspergers is similar to autism in a way, there are differences. Aspergers affects boys three times
more than girls. Individuals with Aspergers typically function better than those with autism.
Individuals with this disorder has have impaired social skills and exhibit a restricted range of
interests and repetitive behaviors. However, those with Aspergers syndrome generally have
normal or above intelligence and typical language development. According to WebMD, common
symptoms of Aspergers syndrome includes: problems with social skills, eccentric behaviors,
unusual rituals, skilled, limited range of interests, and communication difficulties.The cause of
ASD including Aspergers is unknown. But, According to WebMD, the disorder have genetics
components because of their tendency to run in families. Therefore, you can inherit the disorder
(from parent to child). A risk factor of getting this disorder are being male and having a family
history of people with an ASD. According to WebMD, if Aspergers symptoms are present, the
doctor conducts an evaluation by performing a medical history and exams such as physical and
neurological for diagnosis. There is no cure for Aspergers syndrome. But the ideal treatment
plan coordinates therapies and interventions that meets the specific need of the individual. An
effective treatment plan include the following: special education, social skill training,
cognitive/speech/physical therapy, behavior modification, medication, and parent training and
support groups. Aspergers Syndrome cant be prevented or cured, but early diagnosis and
treatment can improve function and quality of life.
According to WHO, early life is considered the most important and rapid developmental
phase in human life. What happens to the child in the early years is critical for the childs
developmental lifecourse. Therefore, if Aspergers is identified in early life, proper treatment can

Aspergers Syndrome
More than a mental disorder

be taken so the childs development occurs as normal as possible because children with AS find
it a little difficult to cope. Finding out in early life makes for a more quicker and hopefully
successfully intervention of maintaing the disorder. Also, social support is the belief that you are
cared for by others like your family and friends. Social support equals support from others,
which makes it social. Having a child with any ASD can be stressful. I know from first-hand
experience of taking care of my autistic little brother. An individual with Aspergers needs that
social support to help their development run slowly. Plus, the whole support factor is part of an
effective treatment process to help someone overcome this disorder. Parents are coaches in their
childs social and emotional growth. So, when parents provide the support and nurturing, the
child develops better and will more likely be able to function. Individuals with Aspergers may
have speech marked by an odd inflection or monotone pitch. So, for example, a college student
with AS may have to be reminded to talk softly every time he/she enters a library. According to
Tony Attwood (1998), many young adults [college students] with AS report intense feelings of
anxiety.... (Attwood, 1998). According to WolfStudents with AS are quite intelligent and
academically inclined. But they experience significant social and interpersonal deficits,
organizational difficulties and lack of self-advocacy skills that are necessary for success in a
college setting (Wolf, Brown, Bork, et Shore, 2004). Since Aspergers involves impairment in
social skills, interaction between fellow college students will be difficult. The student with the
AS wont be able to understand or know the codes for conversing with others, which might come
across to people that individuals with AS are disinterested or rude, which ultimately leads to
rejection. Stress is when you feel worried, anxious, and unable to cope. When a college student
with AS loses control over school work and personal life, it can stress them out and impact their

Aspergers Syndrome
More than a mental disorder

health all together. With their repetitive motor behaviors, under stress it can very noticeable in
the form of finger tapping or flicking, which can lead to people them to laugh or mock them.
According to Government of WA Mental Health of Commission, stigma is a mark of
disgrace that sets a person apart. Its when a person is labelled for their illness. Therefore,
people with Aspergers have the stigma of being disruptive and odd. Due to their awkwardness in
conversations and differences, the outside world view them as odd. Other kids make fun of my
little brother a lot because he doesnt know how to have friendships and interact with others
especially when it comes to playing. In a survey by Butler and Gilis (2011), there were high
levels of stigmatization towards individuals with AS and the negative feelings stemmed from
ideas about the behaviors associated with the disorder, but not the label of having AS. Plus, 70%
of those who participated in the survey never known anyone with AS, which increased
stigmatization. Not only that, the movements AS individuals looks to others as disruptiveness
when its something thats involuntary. College campuses use the ethical principle of beneficence
and autonomy while dealing with students with AS. The disability counselors and faculty are
critical for students with AS to be effectively supported and succeed both academically and
socially. AS individuals are offered therapy to help them overcome and meet other people with
AS. Its like in this show Chasing LIfe. She finds out she has Leukemia and goes to a great
support of cancer patients, which helps her cope with her illness. The same concept are applied
to AS individuals. But, I used autonomy as an ethical principle because, some people might not
voice out about them having Aspergers due to shame or disgrace, which is cause by stigma. Do
you see the cause and effect here? So, I suggest we try to accept people who are different from
us.

Aspergers Syndrome
More than a mental disorder

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