Asperger's syndrome is included in autism spectrum disorders. Therefore, it is a developmental disorder and shows its effects from childhood. It is quite easy to distinguish as it shows obvious symptoms.

What is Asperger's Syndrome?

Autism spectrum disorders; It includes a spectrum of problematic behaviors, including deficits in language, perception, and motor development, impaired reality testing, and inability to function in social situations^. Asperger's syndrome is one of the autism spectrum disorders. It has obvious symptoms such as deficits in social interaction and perception.

What Are the Symptoms of Asperger's Syndrome?

The symptoms of the syndrome in question are as follows:

• Resistance to change and adaptation problems
• Limitation in social communication skills
• Lack of empathy
• Special interests
• Unusual social behavior
• Disruptions in functionality

What are the Diagnostic Criteria?

Asperger syndrome diagnostic criteria are as follows:

1. Normal language development
2. Disruptions in functionality
3. Qualitative impairments in social interaction
4. Restricted, repetitive, and stereotypical patterns of behavior, interests, and activities

Normal language development

The absence of a clinical delay in language development is an important sign to distinguish it from other developmental disorders.

Disruptions in functionality

The symptoms of Asperger's Syndrome should cause deterioration in the life and functionality of individuals.

Qualitative impairments in social interaction

There are different types of qualitative impairment in social interaction in Asperger's Syndrome. These are as follows:

• Failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to their developmental level, that is, their age
• Lack of spontaneous seeking to share pleasures, interests, or achievements with other people (For example, individuals with Asperger's Syndrome are quite uninterested in showing others a newly acquired item)
• Marked impairment in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as eye contact, facial expression, body postures, and gestures to regulate social interaction
• Difficulty responding/responding to the other person in social or emotional issues

Restricted, repetitive, and stereotypical patterns of behavior, interests, and activities

Asperger's syndrome may exhibit limited, repetitive and stereotypical patterns of behavior, interests, and activities. These are as follows:

• Exhibiting stereotypical and repetitive motor movements (e.g. hand clapping, shaking feet)
• Preoccupation with stereotypical and limited interests that are abnormal in intensity or focus
• Persistent preoccupation with parts of objects
• Seemingly inflexible adherence to certain, dysfunctional routines or rituals

Treatment Methods

Currently, there is no cure for Asperger's syndrome. But there are some treatments available that can help manage many of the symptoms of the condition, including depression, social anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Autism spectrum disorder treatment must be designed to meet the needs of the individual. A good treatment plan should build on the individual's strengths and encourage growth in areas of difficulty.

There are no medications specifically prescribed for Asperger's syndrome. Some people with Asperger's or related conditions can function well in their lives without taking any medication. Therefore, whether or not to use any medication depends on the symptoms of the individual.

In some cases, various types of medication can help manage severe symptoms. In addition, speech therapy for young children and cognitive behavioral therapy for adults provide the management of the syndrome in question. These therapies are a very good alternative for exploring ways to improve an individual's quality of life.

How to Treat Someone with Asperger's Syndrome

Asperger's syndrome or at any other end of the spectrum, you can consider the following suggestions:

1. When you are in the same environment with the person, you should not talk about them as if you are a 3rd person who is not in the room.
2. You must support their independence and functionality.
3. You must be an active listener.
4. When communicating, you should communicate in the same way you would talk to any adult, not to a child.
5. You should patiently wait for the answer to your questions.
6. You must provide meaningful feedback.