Imagine this scenario: A 9 year old boy we’ll call “David” is brought in for counseling. His parents are concerned about his angry outbursts. They describe him as usually a mild-mannered and well-behaved child until this last year. The parents have been getting reports from his 3rd grade teacher that David often fidgets, blurts out answers impulsively, “seems to be in his own world” too much and such things. They became alarmed when the teacher suggested they have David tested for ADHD. Continue
Childhood Disorders
Childhood Disorders | Family | Mental Health | Parenting | Stress | Transitions / Change
Problem Behavior: Reaction to a Situation or a Disorder?
Parents of children with Asperger’s Syndrome have a particularly challenging role to play. To begin, the diagnosis is difficult to make. Asperger’s Syndrome can be understood generally as a severe and chronic impairment in social interaction and the development of rigid behavior patterns, restricted interests, and activities. While this “label” has become more common knowledge in the last 10 years, the disorder is not new. There is an increased awareness of the syndrome, which hopefully leads to more effective treatment and support for those who need it. A label or diagnosis is only useful if it helps secure the support and treatments to improve one’s quality of life. Continue
Since the 1990’s “Asperger’s Syndrome” has gradually gained widespread attention. People hear this label, but in the general public it remains an enigma. The term “Asperger’s Syndrome” was first used in 1981, but refers to research by Viennese pediatrician Hans Asperger. In 1944, Dr. Asperger conducted research on a small group of boys that he observed to have atypical social and thinking patterns. As research and understanding of Asperger’s and autism in general expanded, Asperger’s Syndrome came to be understood as a form of high functioning autism. Continue
