Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Getting to Know the Child With Asperger Syndrome
By Gibbons, Melinda M Goins, Shelley
Asperger syndrome (AS) is a disorder characterized by social skill deficits and display of repetitive behaviors. This article explores the diagnostic components of AS and describes the major school-related issues for children who have the disorder. Specific interventions that school counselors can implement to help increase these students' academic and social success are discussed. In some ways, Tom is a typical 9-year-old student. He started talking at age 1 and was using sentences by age 2. He is advanced at math but struggles in language arts. He has a fascination with trains and gives long, detailed descriptions of how engines work. But, in other ways, he is just different. He seems more interested in playing with things rather than with people. When he is with people, Tom often misreads social cues, almost like he cannot understand nonverbal behavior. He expresses emotions, but often not in appropriate ways or times. Sharing and taking turns is extremely difficult for him. Make-believe games are nearly impossible; he does not seem to understand the "rules" of these types of activities. In physical activities, he seems clumsy and has an unusual stance, sometimes walking or running on his toes. Teachers often remark that he is just different or a bit odd.
Read more:
http://www.redorbit.com/news/education/1419791/getting_to_know_the_child_with_asperger_syndrome/
