This is the one form of autism that is usually not caught at an early age and is instead a disorder that develops later in life. Asperger Syndrome, however, can be a very difficult condition to have, so as soon as you suspect yourself or your child of having communication and social behavior problems, see your family doctor.

Many famous and successful people were diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome. Historians even suggest that Einstein and Mozart each suffered from this disorder. It is important to note that no form of autism is a form of mental retardation.

In fact, most people with Asperger Syndrome are very intelligent. Asperger Syndrome does not dictate mental ability, but rather makes it difficult for people to communicate in social settings, much in the same way a typical autistic child has trouble with behavior in groups. When this disorder goes undiagnosed, children do not get the help they need, leading to problems in school such as bullying.

Most children are relieved to find out they have Asperger Syndrome instead of just thinking they are less of a person. By getting diagnosed, not only can you or your child put a name to the problems, but it is then also possible to get treated to improve your overall situation.

Some symptoms to watch out for if you suspect Asperger Syndrome are some of the same symptoms that people with full-blown autism experience. This includes social confusion, first and foremost. Many people with Asperger

Syndrome find it very difficult to deal with transition or change, wanting everything to stay the same. A quickly changing environment is especially confusing.

People with Asperger Syndrome also may say rude or inappropriate things when they don’t mean to do so, and may not be able to understand others’ thought processes. Another common trait they share with autistic individuals is fixation, although people with Asperger Syndrome usually have more control over their fixations, which take the form of highly focused interests.

If you suspect yourself or a loved one of this disorder, these are just a few of the signs for which you should be watching. You doctor should be able to answer further questions and provide both reading material and treatment for this disorder.

At the age of two or three, autistic kids must be placed into an intense and highly structured educational program. Both scientific studies and practical experience have shown that the prognosis is greatly improved if a child underwent such a program.

An autistic child performs stereotype behaviors like rocking or twiddling a penny because doing repetitive behaviors shuts off sights and sounds which cause confusion or pain.

But if the child is allowed to shut out the world, his brain will not develop. Both autistic and PDD children need many hours of structured education to keep their brain engaged with the world.

Interacting with an adult or another child is healthy for them. However, a teacher must be careful that the child does not experience sensory overload. A child with milder sensory problems often will respond well to Lovaas-type programs.

These children need to be kept engaged or else worst things could happen. For example, if a young two or five year old autistic child is to sit alone watching TV or playing video games all day, his brain will be shut off from the world.

Children with more severe sensory processing problems may experience sensory overload. These children may be classified under two major categories:

1. Children who respond well to a therapist who is gently intrusive and pulls them out of their world.
2. Children who have more neurological problems and they may respond poorly to a strict Lovaas program.

They will require a gentler approach. Some are “mono channel” because they cannot see and hear at the same time. They either have to look at something or they have to listen. This type of children may respond best when the teacher whispers quietly in a dimly illuminated room. Simultaneous looking and listening may result in sensory overload and shutdown.

A good teacher should adapt his teaching method on the condition of the autistic child. And the teacher has to be gently insistent in order to be successful. He should know how to push hard yet gently.

This leads to stereotypes, which can result in hatred, embarrassment, or other unhappy situations. By becoming educated about autism, you can help others in your community cope with this disorder.

It is most important to note that not all autistic people are the same. Other diseases and disorders have their own sets of rules, but autism is such a complex medical condition, that everyone reacts differently to it. Autistic people are usually rated on a functional scale, with high-functioning people being able to hold jobs and low-functioning people needing 24-hour-a-day care.

Symptoms include behavioral challenges, uncontrollable movements, speech and communication difficulties, and emotional inadequacies. Some show all symptoms, while other show few, and still others may have most under control to the point where you cannot tell they have autism at all.

Because every person is different, no one thing can be said about autism and be true overall. However, most autistic people have trouble communicating emotions. This does not mean that an autistic person does not feel. He or she simply cannot express this feeling.

It also does not mean strong relationship bonds are not possible. On the contrary, many autistic people are happily married and in love. Forming relationships is more difficult for most, but can be accomplished over time.

Many people believe that being autistic coincides with being a genius in some aspect. While it is true that some autistic individuals have extraordinary math, music, and art skills, this number is nowhere near the majority-in fact, relatively few autistic people function outside of the normal range in any skill.

This stereotype is perpetuated in the movies and on television, because the story of a talented person fighting disadvantages (such as autism) makes a good plot. However, this is not the norm, so nothing more than the best they can personally do should be expected from an autistic person.

However, it is important to note that autism is not a form of mental retardation. Some autistic people are mentally retarded as well, but most are not and should not be treated as such.

In the end, the most important lesson to take away from your studies on autism is one of tolerance. You will probably need to be patient when dealing with autistic people, but by understanding a little more about the disorder, perhaps this will be easier. Learn what you can and spread the knowledge to those you know to help create a more tolerant setting for autistic individuals in your community.

Fixations should be used to motivate schoolwork and education. If an autistic child is fixated on trains, try to use his interest on trains to motivate reading or learning arithmetic. Encourage him to read about trains or do mathematical problems with trains.

The child’s intense interest on trains can be very useful to motivate him to read. It is a mistake to take fixations away from them. However, these children also need to learn that there are some situations when talking about trains is not appropriate.