What is Asperger's Syndrome?
Asperger’s Syndrome (usually shortened to just “Asperger’s”)
is a disease that causes people to have a hard time meeting and talking with
other people. They have very poor social skills and it is hard for them to make
friends. It is similar to autism; Asperger's is not as severe. Asperger's (along with autism) belong to a group of disorders called autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
What Causes Asperger's?
No one knows what the exact cause of Asperger’s is, but
studies show that it can run in families. It may be passed down from the parent
to the child during pregnancy. So if a child's parent has Asperger's syndrome, there is a chance that their child will have it too.
Who Can Get Asperger's?
The disease is usually first seen in children who are three years old or older, and especially
when they start to attend school. The
disease does not go away, so the child will have it for the rest of their life.
What Are the Symptoms of Asperger's?
There are many different symptoms of Asperger’s. Not every
person will show all of the symptoms and the ones that are shown are different
for each person. Some examples of symptoms that people with Asperger’s might
have include:
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Can Asperger's Be Prevented?
Asperger’s cannot be prevented. It also cannot be cured. If a child has Asperger’s, their parents should work with them and help them to improve their communication skills. They should also teach them how to interact with people and make friends.