Treatment of Asperger’s Syndrome

Because no physical cause of Asperger’s Syndrome has been indicated conclusively, it is classified neither as an illness nor as a disease. Instead, Asperger’s Syndrome is classified as a disorder and as such, treatment of Asperger’s Syndrome is most often referred to as intervention.

Although psychotherapy is not effective in “curing” or even treating Asperger’s Syndrome, some counseling may help both your child and your family cope with the symptoms of the disorder. In the same respect, although no specific medications offer treatment of Asperger’s syndrome, your physician may prescribe medication for your child to help him or her with symptoms like anxiety, attention problems, and mood disorders (such as depression) that may accompany Asperger’s syndrome.

After your child has been diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, you are most likely to find help through your educational system and support groups in association with your local hospital or mental health center. Even so, the availability of intervention programs for Asperger’s Syndrome varies from location to location, school district to school district, and state to state. Because of this, proper diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome is crucial to obtaining appropriate intervention services. Just as crucial is the participation of your health practitioner in helping to obtain necessary services for your child.

Your physician’s comprehensive evaluation includes both your child’s strengths and weaknesses. Using this, your first step in planning an intervention program for your child is to contact your school district to determine what programs are available for your child. Know your child’s educational rights! Pacer Center (Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights) is an excellent resource to:

1. help you determine your child’s educational rights
2. teach you to be an effective advocate for your child
3. find a skilled and experienced outside child advocate if you run into difficulty in obtaining the services your child needs.

In addition, the U.S. Dept of Education has an excellent web site that includes not only education legislation but also lists programs and services that may be available to your child. There may also be state or local policies that provide services for children with Asperger’s syndrome.

Secondly, you need to meet with school personnel to identify goals and establish an individualize education program (IEP) for your child. This program should be developed around both your child’s strengths and weaknesses as indicated in your physician’s evaluation of your child.

One thing you need to consider is that Asperger’s syndrome is a new disorder to many educators, to the officials who decide on entitlement availabilities, and even to some medical personnel and other caregivers. In dealing with those in authority, you will often need to play an active role as an educator to help them understand the needs of your child. Although at times obtaining appropriate intervention may seem like an uphill battle, if you take advantage of the help of your clinician, support groups, and child advocacy groups, your child will receive the help he or she needs to lead a happy and productive life.

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