Some Specifics on Asperger’s Syndrome
Asperger’s Syndrome is one of the very many complex therapy subjects I have studied in depth. My name is LaShondra Manning, I am a counselor specializing in treatment for teens and “tween” patients. While working through my LPC internship, I had the opportunity to work with teenaged boys diagnosed with Asperger’s. This gave me special insight into the presenting behaviors and difficulties inherent in treating this unique syndrome. Below you’ll find an excerpt on a paper I presented on my findings. This begins with one of the most visible factors of Asperger’s Syndrome in the child patient.
Fixations and Odd Behaviors
Like other children, a child with Asperger’s Syndrome has interests and hobbies that they look forward to with enthusiasm. However, a distinguishing feature of the interest or hobby is the intensity within which the Asperger’s child involves him or herself. The interest often becomes an obsession. Moreover, the fascinations and fixations which the child engages “dominates the child’s free time and conversation” (Attwood, 1998, p. 14).
When a child with Asperger’s Syndrome does decide to interact with family, authority figures, classmates or strangers, they “can and will overwhelm the listener with detailed information and will even attempt to force this interest on others” (Docter and Naqvi, 2010, p. 26-27). Thus, the child imposes his or her interest/obsession upon others, even if they are not interested in the subject at all.
Many of the interests and fascinations that children with Asperger’s Syndrome have are uncommon and miniscule. For example, Jackson (2002) recalls that he collected pencils, strings, and batteries as a child. Even with a collection of regular toys, the child with Asperger’s Syndrome will “line up one’s toys repeatedly and spin the wheels of a toy vehicle repeatedly instead of playing with them in an interactive or reciprocal way” (Docter and Naqvi, 2010, p. 27). This is an example of odd play or play outside of the domain of normal play (Docter and Naqvi, 2010, p. 27).
In contrast, now that technology-based entertainment is more readily available. Children with Asperger’s Syndrome often develop a fixation with game consoles and computer games (Jackson, 2002). Although many children enjoy game consoles and computer games, the child with Asperger’s Syndrome does not want to play these games with other children. They prefer to play them alone or with internet-based opponents.
Facilitating Improvement and Management of Fixations and Odd Behaviors.
Docter and Naqvi, (2010) suggest the following tips for parents and professionals to use regarding children with Asperger’s Syndrome and their interests:
- Set boundaries that are concrete, clear, and easy to follow regarding the amount of time a child can engage in their interest. There is a fine line between encouraging an interest and enabling an obsession.
- Use the obsession as motivation and positive reinforcement for completing required, appropriate behavior.
- Encourage mainstream interests. Create opportunities for the child to have age-appropriate group discussions on common interests. This includes: play dates, park visits, and activities in school that would include these interests. This also might be a good way for a parent to volunteer in the classroom and plan an activity that could include their child’s interest but involve all of the children in the classroom (p. 64-67).
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