Asperger’s Syndrome in Adults

Asperger’s syndrome is a neurological disorder and a part of autism spectrum. This syndrome could be due to hereditary reasons, but the exact causes of it still remain unknown.

Though this disorder affects all kinds of people, it tends to be more common among men than women. Asperger’s syndrome remains unknown during childhood and only reveals itself in adulthood.

Asperger’s syndrome in adults has no cure, but through social training, the patients can be taught how to cope with it.

Asperger’s Syndrome in Adults: In medical terms, Asperger’s syndrome is also called Asperger’s or AS or Asperger’s disorder. Adult men who suffer from AS exhibit childish behaviour and are often mocked in the society for being unusual and possessing unusual interests.

• Adult males suffering from AS usually exhibit the same common characteristics. But there is every possibility that each patient might show different traits based on his personality.
• The major problems AS patients have are, a difficulty in forming relationships and the inability to communicate. Except for these problems, other areas of development in them are completely normal.

Common Traits of AS: The most common traits of AS sufferers are as follows:

• above average intelligence
• lack of understanding of other person’s perspective
• improper social conduct
• difficulty in conversing
• no control over feelings such as anger and anxiety
• keep to a routine and upon routine disruption, face problems
• might exhibit extreme intelligence in the fields of Sciences and Math

Problems Faced: Perceiving other person’s reactions is very difficult for these patients.

A normal man is known to understand the subtle facial expressions and signs that the other person exhibits. AS sufferers lack the ability to decipher these signs and are often termed as non-caring and egoistic for this reason. Proper social reciprocation is a formality they do not understand and hence they find it difficult socialising with people.

Thus, establishing a firm relationship with their colleagues and adhering to it is very tough for them.

Treatment: AS does not have a cure nor a dedicated style of treatment. But, behavioral therapy, speech therapy and appropriate coping skills can help the patients deal with their day-to-day problems.

Asperger’s syndrome in adults is now being identified as being intelligently unique rather than being termed a disorder. Many famous and successful people like Bill Gates, Woody Allen and even Albert Einstein are known to be aspies (people suffering from AS).