Asperger’s syndrome is part of the autism spectrum disorder (ASD). According to medical experts, it is a mild form of autism and generally manifests without extreme mental disabilities. The main outward characteristics of a person with Asperger’s syndrome are poor social skills, lacking nonverbal communication, and being clumsy.
Unlike other forms of autism, brain imaging has not shown a common pathology between sufferers. Scientists believe that there may be a genetic cause of the syndrome, as many times multiple people in one household can have the illness. So far, no genes have been identified in relation to the syndrome.
In a small percentage of cases, exposure to certain chemicals and medications while in utero are believed to have contributed to Asperger’s. There are many theories of how an individual may develop Asperger’s syndrome, but none have been conclusively proven yet. Currently, there are hundreds of studies from scientists around the world trying to understand the cause and treatment of this syndrome.
If you are worried about yourself or a loved one having this syndrome, talk to your doctor about screening options. The 15 classic symptoms of Asperger’s syndrome are…
1. Failure to Develop Friendships
Children who have Asperger’s syndrome may have difficulty cultivating friendships. They may not connect with their peers due to a lack of social skills. They may find it hard to talk to other children or to participate in group activities.
This can be difficult for a child with Asperger’s syndrome as they may want very deeply to connect with their peers. Oppositely, some children with Asperger’s syndrome have no desire to make friends and will prefer to be by themselves.