Being the mother of a child with Asperger’s Syndrome is difficult. It can be even worse when parents don’t know their child has it. Although an official diagnosis can hit hard it can also be the key to understanding the neurological disorder.
Asperger’s Syndrome is part of the Autism spectrum with symptoms and characteristics that vary from child to child. It’s difficult for parents to understand why their child is off by his or herself while the rest of the kids are playing together and having fun, or why even though the child seems incredibly intelligent he or she may not be doing well in school.
Asperger’s patients can present with symptoms taken from other disorders that may include OCD, ADHD and PDD. They may be sensitive to taste, light and sound, or they may have an aversion to water. Most Asperger’s kids have a very hard time dealing with any change or transition.
It can be maddening trying to string together symptoms that just don’t add up leaving parents puzzled and frustrated. Even trying to explain the child’s series of issues to a doctor can be difficult. In addition Asperger’s kids can be very high maintenance individuals requiring more time and attention than the typical child which can make parenting overwhelming.
The good news is that Asperger’s is finally being recognized as a neurological illness. Until recently kids with Asperger’s have are often been misunderstood in school and viewed as disciplinary problems, causing many to suffer from low self esteem but the tide is changing.
Finding a good pediatric psychiatrist is vital and the right medication can make all the difference in the world – especially to a struggling child. One good place to learn about Asperger’s is the Asperger’s Association of New England in Watertown, Mass. (www.aane.org).