Overview
What is Asperger’s syndrome?
Asperger’s syndrome (sometimes called high-functioning autism) is part of a wide diagnosis called autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Since 2013, Asperger’s syndrome is replaced by the broader diagnosis of ASD within the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) revised criteria.
People with ASD have difficulty with socializing and social skills. They tend to have narrow range of interests, rigid routines and will often show repetitive behavior (such as flapping their hands).
Asperger’s syndrome, as defined before 2013, was different than other ASDs because people with Asperger’s have average or higher-than-average language and intelligence levels.
Diagnosis and Tests
Who diagnoses Asperger’s syndrome?
An ASD diagnosis should be made by professionals specifically trained for it. Often pediatricians are best equipped to accurately examine a child’s pattern of development and their relative strengths and weaknesses. These professionals include:
- Pediatricians (doctors specializing in treating children).
- Child psychologists or psychiatrists (both can specialize in ASD).
- Neurologists (doctors specializing in the brain and nerves).
- Therapists (clinical or behavioral).
You may need to see one or more of these specialists while trying to get a diagnosis. The process may take some time, but it can help you learn more and find additional support networks.
Management and Treatment
What types of treatments are available for Asperger’s syndrome?
Treatment for ASD should be designed to meet you or your child’s needs. The best treatment in the world won’t work if a child or adult doesn’t agree that it’s best for them. A good treatment plan builds on their strengths and encourages growth in areas where they have difficulty. Progress should be continually monitored and treatment adjusted as necessary to continue to help them succeed in school, work and life.
Can medications treat Asperger’s symptoms?
There are no drugs specifically prescribed for ASD. Some people with Asperger’s or related conditions are able to function well in life without taking any medications. Whether or not your healthcare provider prescribes medication depends on you or your child’s symptoms. Focusing on treating only the problematic symptoms also helps to lower the number of medications you or your child is taking.
Certain types of medications can help manage severe Asperger’s symptoms or related conditions. These medications include:
- Antidepressants (SSRIs or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors).
- Anti-psychotics.
- Drugs for attention-deficit disorder.
These and other medications have potentially serious side effects so speak with your provider about whether they’re right for you or your child.
How can children with Asperger’s syndrome be more comfortable in school?
Children and teens with Asperger’s syndrome and related conditions often struggle at school. It can be difficult to learn while having trouble focusing or staying calm. To help them learn more easily, some children with these conditions can benefit from (or need) special education or accommodations at school.
For example, parents and teachers can work together to create an individual education program (IEP). Based on your child’s symptoms, their school will decide if an IEP is needed. IEPs allow for a more suitable classroom environment including:
- Regular daily routines (to help students focus and keep calm).
- ‘Milestone’ academic goals (passing physical education, or getting a certain score on major tests).
- Study guides or customized lesson plans (using headphones with audio lessons, for example).
- Social skills (joining groups and not interrupting others).
- Self-control techniques (not having tantrums or hitting).
Depending on their difficulties at school, children may also be eligible for special education services including counseling and special dietary needs. Learn about IEPs and other at-school support by asking your child’s teacher, guidance counselor or principal.
Is there a cure for Asperger’s syndrome?
Currently there is no cure for ASD. Nor are there any home remedies or herbal supplements proven to cure Asperger’s syndrome or related conditions.
But several non-surgical treatments exist to help manage many of the condition’s symptoms including depression, social anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Therapy (including speech therapy for young children and cognitive behavioral therapy for adults) is another good alternative for exploring ways to improve quality of life for you, your child or your students.
Many people with Asperger’s syndrome say that therapy helped them to deal with their symptoms or other problems. Therapy providers for children and adults with Asperger’s syndrome include:
- Physical therapists: Physical therapy can help improve coordination and balance. It can also help them to focus better when faced with distracting noises or sights.
- Speech therapists: Speech therapy can improve your ability to speak clearly and at appropriate volumes.
- Occupational therapists: Occupational therapy can help you learn job skills needed to become and stay independent.
- Family or relationship therapists: This type of therapy can help children and adults have healthier relationships with friends and loved ones.
Your healthcare provider can give you suggestions or referrals to these kinds of therapists.
Living With
How can someone with Asperger’s syndrome live the best life possible?
Many people diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome and related conditions achieve success in their lives. Others may need some help in finding or keeping work, living arrangements and social relationships. If you have Asperger’s syndrome, you might do best with structured, predictable environments and routines.
Many children, teens and adults with Asperger’s syndrome benefit from social skills groups and behavior intervention, like that offered by Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA). This form of behavioral therapy helps to teach positive behaviors in everyday life.
Is Asperger’s syndrome a disability?
Everyone has a unique personality and different strengths. People with Asperger’s syndrome are no different. But if you or your loved one are finding it difficult to get or keep work due to Asperger’s syndrome symptoms, there is help. You may be able to qualify for disability under the Disability Evaluation Under Social Security Section 12.10, Mental Disorders. For more information, check with your provider and social security contact person.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
If you think that you or your loved one might have Asperger’s syndrome, or if you’re a teacher or caregiver concerned about someone you know, your first step is to contact your healthcare provider. In addition to discussing this with a professional, there is a lot of information about ASD and Asperger’s syndrome that is available, along with information on support groups. It helps always to be open-minded and realize that everyone has strengths and opportunities to improve.
Are you feeling overwhelmed? Do you feel like you are just staying above water? I can help! Counseling is appropriate for everyone at one time or another. Life throws us all curveballs. It’s how we deal with them that makes the difference in our abilities to maintain a balance of wellness. No one gets out of this life unscathed. Sometimes we get stuck and need a little guidance to get back to our lives. It’s vital that we resolve trauma because mental and emotional challenges can affect our physical and spiritual health and vice versa. There is no reason to ever feel shame for seeking solutions.
As a therapist working with people affected by someone else’s personality condition, I’m often asked the question, “How do I know if my partner is a narcissist or if they have Asperger’s?” This is an interesting question. I did some research in order to give justice to this topic.
For one thing, both are on a spectrum. Narcissism is a personality condition that ranges from mild to severe. In the most severe instances, the person demonstrates sociopathic tendencies or antisocial personality.
Autism also resides on a spectrum. It is a neurologically caused developmental condition. Prior to 2012, people with mild symptoms, considered “high functioning,” were identified as having Asperger’s syndrome. With the publication of the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), this label disappeared, replaced by autism spectrum.
Since mirror neurons are part of the brain’s social interaction system—involved with social cues, imitation, empathy, and the ability to decode intentions of others—some scientists have found that people on the autism spectrum have a dysfunctional mirror neuron system (University of California, San Diego, 2005). It appears mirror neurons also play a role in personality condition-related issues.
An emotionally neglectful childhood, involving parents who did not empathize, may result in narcissistic traits in adulthood. It has been suggested that this occurs because of under-utilized mirror neurons in childhood, which leads to dysfunctional mirror neurons in adulthood (Kellevision, 2015).
Here is a table depicting some of the similarities and differences between the two conditions. Can you see your loved one’s symptoms in either column? Could it be your loved one displays symptoms of both?
High-Functioning Autism (Asperger’s)NarcissismDoes not understand social interactionManipulativeDoes not do silent treatmentUses silent treatment as a weaponYou can say noMay punish you if you say noDoes not do guilt tripsUses guilt trips as a manipulative toolDoes not sit on the “pity pot”Feels sorry for themselves and envious of others’ successesClueless about damage they cause even though they can be hurtful and selfishHurts other people’s feelings and doesn’t careLacks empathy, but is not maliciousLacks empathy, and may be maliciousLacks intuitionHas intuition and uses it to get narcissistic supplyNot connected to their feelingsHyper-connected to their feelingsTends to be one-dimensionalTends to flip into different modes or personalities (Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde)Does not blame othersTends to blame othersWants a playbook (structure and predictability)Wants chaos and controlTriggered by lack of familiarityTriggered by ego threatsOn a spectrum from low functioning to high functioningOn a spectrum from “normal”-range behavior to psychopathy/antisocial personalityNot sensitiveInsensitive
If Someone You Care About Is on the Autism Spectrum
If you are in a relationship with a person on the autism spectrum, it is helpful to know how to take care of yourself. Here are some tips:
- Be in the right “head space.”
- Take charge of your own life. It is helpful to be flexible and adaptable.
- Understand you have to do things on your own. Your partner will probably not be able to do the things that are important to you—at least not in a satisfying manner. Rather than getting upset by this, I recommend practicing acceptance. It is liberating to understand the situation and adjust yourself accordingly rather than expecting the situation to adjust to you.
- Realize you can teach a person on the autism spectrum how to be different. This will require patience and perseverance. Do not be satisfied with the status quo; instead, get in there and help your loved one learn how to relate to you in a healthy way.
- Recognize that if your partner hurts you, it is not intentional. Don’t take it personally and don’t be surprised. They do not do this to be controlling, feed their ego, or fulfill a personal need for superiority.
- Research and study autism and learn what you can to have compassion for your partner.
If Someone You Care About Has a Personality Condition
If you are with a person with a personality condition such as narcissism, then you may have similar unfulfilled relationship issues, as well as the added bonus of emotional abuse. Following are some suggestions for coping with this type of relationship:
- Observe the person’s behavior, don’t absorb it.
- Understand that people with narcissism do not cooperate or collaborate well; you will have to learn to be independent in this type of relationship.
- Do not expect the person to ever have empathy or compassion for you.
- Develop healthy, happy connections within other relationships. Don’t expect them in your relationship with the person with narcissism.
- Recognize that your partner may derive pleasure from hurting you. Why may be difficult to understand. Study the concept of “narcissistic supply” and you will discover that people with narcissism are “fed” by the reactions they get. It may help the person feel in control, superior, or powerful.
- Realize you may not be able to teach a person with narcissism how to be different. No matter how much patience and perseverance you have, you may discover nothing works to change the other person. You can only change yourself.
- Research and study personality conditions and learn to have compassion for yourself.
References:
- Goulston, M. (2011, November 17). Just listen – Don’t confuse a narcissist with Asperger’s syndrome. Retrieved from https://www.huffingtonpost.com/mark-goulston-md/just-listen—dont-confus_b_316169.html
- Kellevision, (2015, August 6). Psychopaths, autism, empathy, and mirror neurons. Retrieved from http://www.kellevision.com/kellevision/2015/08/psychopaths-empathy-and-mirror-neurons.html
- Oberman, K., & Ramachandan, V. (2007, June 1). Broken mirrors: A theory of autism. Scientific American. Retrieved from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/broken-mirrors-a-theory-of-autism-2007-06
- University of California, San Diego. (2005, April 18). Autism linked to mirror neuron dysfunction. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/04/050411204511.htm
© Copyright 2017 GoodTherapy.org. All rights reserved. Permission to publish granted by Sharie Stines, PsyD, GoodTherapy.org Topic Expert
The preceding article was solely written by the author named above. Any views and opinions expressed are not necessarily shared by GoodTherapy.org. Questions or concerns about the preceding article can be directed to the author or posted as a comment below.
