A Life of Care Giving – Becoming an Enlightened Caregiver

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Asperger syndrome is an autistic disorder where there are significant difficulties in social interaction, often displayed with behavior and activity that are restricted and/or repetitive such as flapping or twisting and complex whole-body movements.

Education of the family is critical in developing strategies to help cope with the rigors of dealing with your child. Although there is no single best treatment, addressing poor communication skills and obsessive or repetitive routines is at the core of a successful plan. The treatment of Asperger syndrome attempts to manage distressing symptoms and to teach social, communication and vocational skills tailored to the needs of the individual child, coordinating the therapies of different disciplines. These include training of social skills, cognitive behavioral therapy, occupational and physical and specialized speech therapy.

There is no medications to directly treat the core symptoms of AS and care must be taken with medications for conditions existing simultaneously but independently from AS. Care must be taken with Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (antidepressants that affect serotonin levels in the brain) as they can result in abnormalities in metabolism, cardiac conduction timing, and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes , along with serious long-term neurological side effects and weight gain and fatigue.

The need for routine in the life of a child with Asperger syndrome cannot be overstressed. It will help to eliminate anxiety and stress in both the child’s life and yours. Children with Asperger Syndrome need structured routine beginning with the second their feet hit the floor in the morning and continues until they are back in bed. Planning the morning routine can be critical to a successful day in school.

The child with Asperger syndrome needs to know what is expected of him or her, and know that there will be little variation of that throughout the day. This will lessen anxiety and reduce the possibility of inappropriate behaviors.

Having a routine when they arrive home from school is critical which should include a time for homework in a quiet place to do it. There will be moments throughout the day when the child with Asperger Syndrome begins to obsess about their object or topic of choice. This is helps them deal with anxiety even though this behavior seems inappropriate, so remove distractions.

A usual routine of snack, bath, and bedtime story will help the child whose sleep may not come easily. They need a bedtime routine and this routine should not vary. Make sure their bed is comfortable for them. Sheets that feel soft to you might feel like sandpaper to them! Make sure there are no unusual smells or sounds. Remove items from the room that may be likely to stimulate them.

For a more detailed guide visit The Asperger Parenting Resource