Asperger Syndrome Symptoms

Symptoms of Aspergers will normally start to appear around age 3 or later. Symptoms vary, so no two children are the same. Here is a checklist of signs of Asperger syndrome in children:

• Have a very hard time relating to others. It doesn't mean that they avoid social contact. But they lack instincts and skills to help them express their thoughts and feelings and notice others' feelings.

• Like fixed routines. Change is hard for them.

• May not recognize verbal and nonverbal cues or understand social norms. For example, they may stare at others, not make eye contact, or not know what personal space means.

• May have speech that is flat and hard to understand because it lacks tone, pitch, and accent. Or they may have a formal style of speaking that is advanced for their age.

• May lack coordination; have unusual facial expressions, body postures, and gestures; or be somewhat clumsy.

• May have poor handwriting or have trouble with other motor skills, such as riding a bike.

• May have only one or a few interests, or they may focus intensely on a few things. For instance, they may show an unusual interest in snakes or star names or may draw very detailed pictures.

• May be bothered by loud noises, lights, or strong tastes or textures.

Social Communication and Language Skills

If you have Asperger syndrome, understanding conversation is like trying to understand a foreign language. People with Asperger syndrome sometimes find it difficult to express themselves emotionally and socially. For example, they may:

• Have difficulty understanding gestures, facial expressions or tone of voice
• Have difficulty knowing when to start or end a conversation and choosing topics to talk about
• Use complex words and phrases but may not fully understand what they mean
• Be very literal in what they say and can have difficulty understanding jokes, metaphor and sarcasm. For example, a person with Asperger syndrome may be confused by the phrase 'That's cool' when people use it to say something is good.
• In order to help a person with Asperger syndrome understand you, keep your sentences short - be clear and concise.

Fluent speech but difficulties with conversation skills and a tendency to be pedantic, have an unusual prosody and to make a literal interpretation. The potential impact on language skills:

• Delayed speech development
• Formal pedantic language
• Peculiar voice characteristics
• Weak comprehension
• Problems with literal and implied meanings

At least three signs of Aspergers are required for a diagnosis of Asperger’s syndrome. (Source: Gilberg and Gilberg diagnostic criteria of speech and language peculiarities 1989).

If you are concerned about your child's behavior or communication style, talk to your child's doctor. He or she will ask you about your child's development and ask if other people have noticed your child's social problems.
Understanding an Asperger syndrome diagnosis