| Let's start with the basics. Asperger's Syndrome is a | | | | has it. |
| developmental disability. That means it is something | | | | The rate for autism in the US is now 1 in 166; that |
| you are born with, that affects the way you | | | | includes all pervasive development disorders, of which |
| develop, and the way you understand the world. | | | | Asperger's is just one. Rates for Asperger's alone are |
| While every person with Aspergers is a unique | | | | harder to identify since there is so much overlap.The |
| individual with a unique personality and individual | | | | numbers have been growing tenfold in the last thirty |
| issues, Aspergers kids have similar symptoms which | | | | years or so. Some people think this is because of |
| often make life a challenge. | | | | toxins in our environment that cause autism and |
| CAN YOU "CATCH" ASPERGERS? | | | | Asperger's; others think it may be just because we |
| Someone does not suddenly "develop" Asperger's | | | | know a lot more about these disorders now and we |
| Syndrome. It is present from birth. You can't catch it, | | | | are better able to diagnose them. |
| so don't worry about that. Asperger's is far more | | | | IS THERE A CURE FOR ASPERGERS? |
| prevalent in men than woman. Boys are up to three | | | | There is no cure for Asperger's, but there is |
| times more likely than girls to have this disorder. No | | | | treatment. There are many different kinds of |
| one really knows why, but some think that it is | | | | therapies that can help many of the symptoms of |
| recognized more often in boys than girls. That would | | | | Asperger's. These are best if started early. |
| not account for the whole gap in genders, however. | | | | Asperger's does not shorten your life. It is not |
| Anyone can have it, from any and all ethnic groups, | | | | degenerative; it does not get worse as time goes on. |
| all economic groups and so on. Money and a good | | | | However, as the child gets older, he may have more |
| upbringing do not preclude one from having this | | | | and more difficulties simply because there are more |
| disorder. Good parenting doesn't have anything to do | | | | and more advanced tasks required of us when we |
| with it; you cannot cause your child to have this. | | | | get older. |
| Your child might be more likely to have it if there is | | | | So in that way it may seem like he or she is getting |
| someone in your family who has it; a genetic link has | | | | worse, when in fact it's just the challenges of life are |
| been shown. Autism spectrum disorders, including | | | | getting harder. Proper therapy and social and life skills |
| Asperger's, are becoming more and more common | | | | training can mitigate some of these effects. These |
| these days. Once thought to be a rare disorder, now | | | | are just a few of the answers you will need to |
| it seems like almost everyone knows someone who | | | | successfully survive and thrive with Aspergers. |