¿WHAT IS IT?

Doctors used to think of Asperger's as a separate

condition. But in 2013, the newest edition of the Chronicles: can last for
standard book that mental health experts use, called The years or a lifetime
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
(DSM-5), changed how it's classified. Today, Asperger's ASPERGER'S Requires medical diagnosis.

syndrome is technically no longer a diagnosis on its own. Laboratory tests or imaging

It is now part of a broader category called autism
spectrum disorder (ASD). This group of related mental SYNDROME tests are rarely required.

health issues shares some symptoms. Even so, lots of

people still use the term Asperger's.

The condition is what doctors call a "high-functioning"

type of ASD. This means the symptoms are less severe
than other kinds of autism spectrum disorders. The DSM-
5 also includes a new diagnosis, called social pragmatic
communication disorder, which has some symptoms that
overlap with Asperger's. Doctors use it to describe people
who have trouble talking and writing but have normal
intelligence. CAREN ELIANA BARRAGAN GAMBOA
in general, the Asperger syndrome is an autism spectrum GINA NAYIBTH LEÓN VIDAL
disorder that is usually less serious. People with this
disorder may have unusual social behavior and a deep
2021
interest in some specific topics. Behavioral therapy and
communication training enable patients with learning
disorders to socialize better.
 SYMPTOMS
Another sign is that your child may show few emotions.
They may not smile when they are happy or laugh at a
joke. Or they may speak in a flat, robotic kind of way.
They start early in life. If you are a mom or dad of a kid
who has it, you may notice that they cannot make eye
contact. You may also find that your child seems
awkward in social situations and does not know what to
say or how to respond when someone talks to them.
They may miss social cues that are obvious to other folks,
like body language or the expressions on people's faces.
For instance, they may not realize that when somebody
crosses their arms and scowls, they are angry.
If your child has the condition, they may talk about
themselves most of the time and zero in with a lot of
intensity on a single subject, like rocks or football stats.
And they might repeat themselves a lot, especially on a
topic that they are interested in. They might also do the
same movements over and over.
They also may dislike change. For instance, they may eat
the same food for breakfast every day or have trouble
moving from one class to another during the school day.
¿HOW YOU GET A DIAGNOSIS?
If you notice signs in your child, see your pediatrician.
They can refer you to a mental health expert who
specializes in ASDs, like one of these:
• Psychologist. They diagnose and treat problems
with emotions and behavior.
• Pediatric neurologist. They treat conditions of
the brain.
• Developmental pediatrician. They specialize in
speech and language issues and other developmental
problems.
• Psychiatrist. They have expertise in mental
health conditions and can prescribe medicine to treat
them.
TREATMENT
Every child is different, so there is not a one-size-fits-all
approach. Your doctor might need to try a few therapies to
find one that works.
Treatments can include:
• Social skills training
• Speech-language therapy
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Parent education and training
• Applied behavior analysis
• Medicine (Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
(SSRIs), antipsychotic drugs and stimulant medicines
With the right treatment, your child can learn to control some
of the social and communication challenges they face. They
can do well in school and go on to succeed in life.