Asperger’s Syndrome is a neurological condition characterized by some degree of Obsessive Compulsory Disorder (OCD) and accompanied by impaired social skills.
Asperger’s Syndrome symptoms manifest during childhood as repetitive atypical behaviors and extreme curiosity about a pet topic. While children with Asperger’s Syndrome show good language development, their social interactions are hampered by their lack of interest in topics other than their favorite ones.
Other Asperger’s Syndrome symptoms include a poor control of limb movements, odd ritual like behavior, and monotonous speech. Children with Asperger’s Syndrome are unable to participate in regular activities in early childhood because of their lagging motor development. For example, children showing Asperger’s Syndrome symptoms tend to start walking late and are often unable to bike or catch a ball even by the age of four. As they grow up, their peers view them as either eccentric or very gifted and reclusive.
Since many Asperger’s Syndrome symptoms are similar to that of other neurological developmental disorders, diagnosis is difficult. Therefore, most Asperger’s treatment focuses on changing the core atypical behaviors rather than trying to reverse neurological changes.
The most successful programs run by Asperger’s treatment centers are those that start in early childhood. These programs are built around the favorite topics of the child. The activities at the Asperger’s treatment centers reinforce normal behavior and disengage them from atypical behaviors. The program usually combines exercises for development of social skills, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and at times medication where there are signs of severe anxiety.
As children with Asperger’s Syndrome eventually grow into adults, the Asperger’s treatment seeks to give them the ability to deal with their shortcomings. Though they often become better suited for mainstream life, they still find it hard to manage normal personal relationships or build social networks.
There are several leading Asperger’s treatment centers in North America.
The top ten Asperger’s treatment centers are:
1. Autism Treatment Center of America’s Son-Rise Program
2. Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD)
3. The Help Group, The Dan Marino Foundation
4. The New England Center for Children
5. Judevine Center for Autism
6. The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation
7. Geneva Center for Autism (Canada)
8. Autism Treatment Centers of Texas
9. Autism Recovery & Comprehensive Health Center
10. The University of Washington Autism Center
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