Today, February 18, is International Asperger Syndrome Day and at VICON Method we want to make a special mention of all those children and adults who share life with us with their unique and special way of walking, communicating and loving.

Is Asperger Syndrome part of ASD? Asperger Syndrome is part of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Although in 1994 it was included in the fourth edition of the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), it disappeared in the fifth edition to be included in ASD.

What is Asperger Syndrome? It is a neurodevelopmental disorder; The brain of the person with Asperger Syndrome functions differently than usual, especially in communication and social interaction and in flexible adaptation to daily demands. Shares the core characteristics of autism. The person with Asperger Syndrome has difficulties in social communication and flexibility of thought and behavior. However, he has a fluent language and an average intellectual capacity and even higher than the average of the population.

How does a person with Asperger Syndrome communicate? Has difficulty understanding non-verbal communication (gestures, facial expressions, tone of voice, etc.) and the subtle messages transmitted through this channel. You can talk for a long time about your topics of interest, but you have difficulty knowing when to end the conversation. It is difficult for him to choose topics to “talk about” or have a “social” chat with other people. It is very literal; He understands language according to the exact meaning of the words, which is why he often does not understand jokes, jokes, metaphors or sarcasm. His verbal expression is correct but, sometimes, he uses language in a very formal way, being too precise, technical and even pedantic.

How is a person related to Asperger Syndrome? It is difficult for him to recognize and understand “unwritten” social rules, so he may sometimes behave inappropriately without realizing it. You want to interact with others, but you don't know how to do it, so sometimes you may find yourself alone. It is very difficult for him to handle himself in situations where he has to interact with many people at the same time, which may seem like he does not want to relate or integrate into the group. It may seem that he does not express his emotions or take those of others into account, but in reality, it is very difficult for him to intuitively realize what other people's feelings and emotions are. They find it difficult to express their own emotions in a conventional way so, at times, they may seem to react inappropriately, disproportionately or “out of character.”

How does a person with Asperger Syndrome think and behave? His way of thinking is rigid and concrete, which helps him in activities that require attention to details and repetition of patterns, but he has difficulties in tasks that require flexibility or the search for alternatives to solve problems. He is faithful to routines that, at times, he follows in a rigid and repetitive manner. Routines provide security and specific guidelines for action but limit their behavior, making it difficult to adapt to changes, novel or unpredictable situations. He has very concrete and specific interests on which he accumulates a lot of information and dedicates a lot of time, sometimes becoming the main source of conversation and dedication. You may be extremely sensitive to some stimuli in the environment, finding them annoying or painful (noises, lights, smells, flavors, etc.).

How can you help a person with Asperger Syndrome? Reflect on the social challenges you face every day and try to put yourself in the shoes of a person who genuinely doesn't understand them or know how to deal with them. Try to empathize with their experience and try to understand it, even if sometimes it is very different from what is “conventional”. Be interested in getting to know the person well, their tastes and interests, their strengths and weaknesses, and the things that are important to them. You will need to make explicit some concepts that are obvious to most people, especially related to social relationships. Use direct and concrete language, without ambiguities or double meanings. This will make communication easier and more satisfying for the person. Understand that their behaviors are not whimsical or intentional. They reflect a different way of understanding and functioning in the world. Understand the importance of your routines and “rigidities.” They are important elements that provide security. You can help make them more flexible without imposing your way of seeing things. Ask him what is the best way to support him. He or she will be able to explain to you what his or her strengths and weaknesses are and how he or she prefers you to help him or her.

Cristina Oroz Bajo Source: Autism Confederation Spain