My ASD Child

There is no cure to the Syndrome called Aspergers which is a form of mild autism and referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder and as Pervasive Developmental Disorder or PDD. There are several medicines that are often prescribed to keep the various symptoms of the syndrome in control but the long term use of these drugs is not advisable as they have their side effects. There are anti-depressants and stimulants of various sorts which are given to patients of Aspergers to try and keep their symptoms and their comorbid conditions in check but most people still prefer natural ways to treat Aspergers and various therapies which help the victims. There are several herbal as well as homeopathic drugs that are used to help the various symptoms like irritability, depression, anxiety, attention deficiency, hyperactivity, repetitive behavior and much more. There are herbal therapies that include the ingredients Passiflora, Chamomile, John’s Wort and many others. The therapies which are used fo...

Aspergers is not widely recognized by the public or by health care providers. What does it mean to have Aspergers? Do they have severe AD/HD, mild autism, learning disabilities, or are they just “nerds?” For years, psychiatrists have debated how to classify and subdivide the category of Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD). Pervasive Developmental Disorder is a category that contains several specific diagnoses. People with PDD have problems with the social interaction and often show delays in several other areas. These other areas may include language, coordination, imaginative activities, and intellectual functioning. The degree of severity can vary tremendously in the various forms of PDD. Autism is one of the more severe forms of PDD. A person with Autism has marked difficulty relating to other human beings. He or she frequently has delayed or absent speech and may be mentally retarded. Aspergers is on the milder end of PDD. People with Aspergers generally have normal intellige...

No specific treatment for the core symptoms of Aspergers is available, and no cure exists for the disorder. Educational and behavioral supports are the primary treatments used for chidlren with Aspergers. Psychopharmacology and other treatments may also be used to manage some of the problem behaviors associated with Aspergers. Some Aspergers children are on no medication. In other cases, we treat specific target symptoms. One might use a stimulant for inattention and hyperactivity. An SSRI such as Paxil, Prozac or Zoloft might help with obsessions or perseveration. The SSRIs can also help associated depression and anxiety. In individuals with stereotyped movements, agitation and idiosyncratic thinking, we may use a low dose antipsychotic such as risperidone. Comments— We tried Abilify for my Aspergers son when he was about 16. Although it did make him a bit more comfortable and appropriate socially, it made him very groggy. The right balance of meds is very dependent on the indiv...

Depression is one comorbid condition of Aspergers and it is one disorder which is seen in almost every person suffering from Aspergers. This very disorder makes its appearance when the youngster with Aspergers is as young as three years of age and the parents will find that the youngster is prone to crying several times a day. This number can be more than twenty or thirty times in a single day and that too for the most trivial reasons. The youngster is unable to explain as to why he or she is crying as one with Aspergers has a difficulty in expressing their own feelings. Soon enough it is likely that the youngster will begin to talk about death wishes and all of this will worsen as the youngster is admitted to school and when he or she faces the situation where he or she has to interact socially with the teachers as well as the other students of the same age. This depression can get really aggressive when the youngster might start talking about killing himself or herself or the pers...

Question For a mom or dad who suspects their youngster may have Aspergers, what are the common symptoms to look out for? Answer Aspergers is a developmental disorder that affects a youngster's ability to socialize and communicate effectively with others. Kids with Aspergers typically exhibit social awkwardness and an all-absorbing interest in specific topics. Signs and symptoms of Aspergers include: • Appearing not to understand, empathize with, or be sensitive to others' feelings • Displaying unusual nonverbal communication, such as lack of eye contact, few facial expressions, or awkward body postures and gestures • Having a hard time "reading" other people or understanding humor • Having an odd posture or a rigid gait • Moving clumsily, with poor coordination • Showing an intense obsession with one or two specific, narrow subjects, such as baseball statistics, train schedules, weather or snakes • Speaking in a voice that is monotonous, rigid or unus...