There is nothing worse than watching your child struggle, but diagnosing medical and mental health conditions early is an important step in finding the right treatment methods. Popular culture and social media has helped to raise the profile of Asperger’s Syndrome. Those who suffer from this neurological disorder demonstrate certain symptoms that fall along the autism spectrum. Clinical neuropsychology has studied the syndrome for years and has identified certain signs that a child might have Asperger’s. While there is no absolute list of symptoms, here are some signs that your child might suffer from the syndrome.
Fixation
A child who fixates on one person, object, or task for long periods of time might show signs of Asperger’s syndrome. Generally, children who do this seem incapable of focusing on anything else. If your child exhibits this behavior, a clinical neuropsychologist can test him or her for the syndrome.
Meltdowns
Clinical Neuropsychology recognizes that kids with Asperger’s prefer routines. Every child should have a tantrum from time to time. But, if your child frequently has a total emotional meltdown, he or she might be incapable of coping with normal situation changes. That could signal Asperger’s syndrome.
Sensory Overload
Many children who suffer from Asperger’s syndrome demonstrate signs of sensory overload. If your child overreacts to extreme sensory stimulation like bright lights, tight clothing, or fragrant smells, you should have him or her tested for Asperger’s.
Formal Speech
If your child is particularly eloquent for his or her age, you might have a child with Asperger’s. In fact, often parents think Asperger’s kids sound like little professors. That’s because those with the syndrome often demonstrate advanced speech and vocabulary skills.
Strange Body Language
Children who react to social situations with odd body language could be suffering from Asperger’s Syndrome. To gauge this, watch how your child makes facial expressions or eye contact. Children with Asperger’s might stare or avoid eye contact altogether.
Confusion
Asperger’s Syndrome makes it difficult for children to understand speech subtleties and social cues. If your child cannot distinguish when you are serious from you are kidding, he or she might have the disorder. Similarly, if your kid doesn’t understanding taking turns, waiting in line, or other social norms, you might need to schedule a test for Asperger’s.
Because there is no exact set of symptoms, Asperger’s Syndrome can be a tough diagnosis. Fortunately, clinical neuropsychology has developed a serious of tests to help families receive the right diagnosis. If you notice the possible signs of Asperger’s, schedule a test for your child right away at Neuropsycheval.com. You can also follow them on Google+ for more updates.
