A Different Way of Thinking

By Jennifer Wells
Dip. Ed, Grad. Dip Ed, Dip Spalding Educator, M.I.L.A, Auslan Level 3

​World Autism day is a wonderful time to share the unique complexities that a person with Asperger’s syndrome experiences in our somewhat chaotic world.
Asperger’s, or what is now known, according to the DSM-5 as Level 1 High Functioning Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), affects more than 1 out of 100 people. It is unknown what causes this developmental disorder but it is currently thought to be both neurological and genetic. It is related to Autism as it affects the way the brain processes information.

If you are seeking Screening and assessment for Asperger’s syndrome you will need to undertake a comprehensive diagnostic assessment by an experienced clinician.
Having Asperger’s is not always straightforward and it may be accompanied with other mental health issues and developmental conditions. The I.Q. of a typical person with Asperger’s syndrome normally ranges from average to above average. Some may have Executive Function Disorder (EFD) which can inhibit the person's ability to understand and complete tasks. EFD and short-term memory disorders which may also cause difficulties with learning and understanding of spelling and writing conventions despite the fact that they may have strong vocabularies. Some may have Specific Learning Difficulties (SLD) which will require extra educational assistance from both school and tutors to help the individual gain a greater understanding of the language process and to assist with social interaction with their peers.

People with Asperger’s often see and interact with the world in a different way to a typical person. They often feel overwhelmed and are unable to read social situations and this can lead to anxiety. Some may require behavioral or sensory integration therapies or short- or long-term strategies to cope with daily complexities. This type of support is offered by a variety of professionals with expertise in this area.

Parents of children with Asperger’s often despair over their child’s sensory sensitivities and their aversion to particular types of foods and possible lack of nutrition. A naturopath and nutritionist can be beneficial in these situations. Natural health assistance can play a major role in supporting people with Asperger’s by assessing their biochemistry and genetics thus adding to a holistic approach to supporting the individual.

If you are interested in learning about Asperger’s, Tony Attwood is a world renowned expert in this area and offers valuable information, advise and sound guidelines. The link is found bellow;
 
http://www.tonyattwood.com.au/about-aspergers-m/what-is-aspergers