A Guide to Asperger's Disorder in Children

Is my child on the autism spectrum?

Parents may notice that their child is “different” from others at an early age (Robinson et al., 2015). For parents wondering if their child meets the criteria for Asperger’s Disorder or ASD, it can be helpful to compare how their child behaves with the symptoms of the disorder. 

Here is a list of key indicators of ASD:

• Difficulty using non-verbal behaviours to express themselves, such as eye contact, facial expressions, body postures and hand gestures
• Unusual speech style or patterns, such as being overly formal or verbose
• Difficulty developing and maintaining friendships
• Difficulty sharing their emotions, interests or achievements with others
• Preoccupation with a particular topic of interest at an unusually sophisticated level for their age
• Inflexibility with routines or rituals, or difficulty dealing with change
• Clumsiness or difficulty coordinating movement
• Repetitive body movements, such as hand or finger flapping or twisting
• Unusual sensitivity to lights, sounds or textures
  

How is Asperger’s Disorder or ASD diagnosed?

Parents who believe their child may meet the criteria for ASD can seek a professional diagnosis. This process involves an initial screening, which indicates whether a child should be referred for a more in-depth assessment. The assessment includes interviews to determine family history and current behaviour, and evaluations of communication, cognition and physical health, depending on the child’s age.

For more information on the diagnostic procedure in Australia, read our article on Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessments.

What does living with Asperger’s Disorder or ASD look like?

ASD is a lifelong condition and can impact how well individuals are able to form relationships with others, regulate their emotions, plan ahead and deal with change, among other issues (Levy & Perry, 2011; Lopez-Perez et al., 2018; Xie et al., 2020). 

The prospect of having a neurodivergent child may be a source of anxiety or fear for parents. However, while having an ASD diagnosis can be challenging, there are many reasons to embrace the uniqueness that comes with it. In a recent NPR interview, the award-winning Australian comedian and writer Hannah Gadsby describes her diagnosis as being essential to her success. “It's incredibly helpful in the perspective I have, because I don't see things ... and process it in the same way as a neurotypical person, so there is an off-kilter angle to it.” (Krenzel et al., 2020) 

Parents can also be reassured by the fact that their child is not alone. According to Autism Spectrum Australia, approximately 1 in 70 people are autistic (Autism Spectrum Australia, 2018). There are many ASD-specific advocacy groups and support networks that exist to help diagnosed individuals and their families, and allow them to connect with one another. Digital communication has made connection even easier, especially because it removes some of the issues with face-to-face communication that autistic people struggle with. 

How can I help my child with Asperger’s Disorder or ASD?

Early intervention is the most effective way to help children develop the skills necessary for navigating the everyday (Bieleninik et al., 2017). While it is common for parents to worry that their child will always struggle, children who receive the support they need are likely to lead healthy, fulfilling lives (Zachor & Ben-Itzchak, 2020). There are a number of ways parents can support their affected children. Options include targeting specific skills or behaviours, making changes to the child’s current structure or routine and learning more about the condition. 

Here are some of the most common support pathways for ASD below with quick explanations of what they involve: 

• Developmental therapy allows children to create meaningful and positive relationships with others, improve social competence and develop daily living skills.
• Speech and language therapy uses specialised exercises and activities to address problems producing and understanding speech. 
• Behavioural therapy is used to develop necessary behaviours and skills that autistic children may struggle with through specific techniques.
• Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) teaches children healthy coping mechanisms to deal with the stress and negative emotions that can come with being on the autism spectrum.
• Family-based therapy provides families with knowledge and training so they can best support their autistic family member while being supported themselves.
• Special education classes enable a rewarding academic experience through greater structure and one-on-one attention to focus on specific areas of difficulty.
• Medication can be used to address specific symptoms, such as agitation, mood swings and aggression.

How can the Quirky Kid Clinic help your child?

The Quirky Kid Clinic is a unique place for children and adolescents aged 2 to 18 years. We work from the child’s perspective to help them find their own solutions.  If you think your child shows signs of Asperger’s Disorder or ASD, or if your child already has a diagnosis of Asperger’s Disorder or ASD, you might consider one of the following options that we provide:

• Assessment and Diagnosis of ASD including the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule
• Booking an individual session with our experienced child psychologists
• Register for a  social skills group or ASD-specific workshop
  

Contact us for more information.