They have a good memory, and their intelligence may even be above average, but their behavior and speech seem somewhat strange. How do you know if someone close to you has Asperger’s Syndrome?
In some countries, this syndrome is no longer considered an independent diagnosis and is considered as one of the types of autism spectrum disorder. However, not all experts agree with this, and many people with this disorder see little in common with autism in their condition, since they do not have speech and cognitive impairments.
Be that as it may, this disorder seriously complicates a person’s daily existence and can create problems in his professional and personal life. Here are some signs that often distinguish people with Asperger’s Syndrome:
1. Unusual manner of speech. It may seem that you are talking to a computer: the interlocutor brings down a stream of facts at you without pausing and (almost) not listening to you. Sometimes people with this syndrome have an unusual timbre of voice.
2. Difficulties with non-verbal communication. You may notice that your interlocutor almost does not use gestures, and his facial expressions are not rich.
3. Недостаток зрительного контакта. It’s not that your interlocutor can’t make eye contact with you, it’s just that they don’t feel the need for eye contact. If you draw his attention to this, he may try not to look away and even go too far, looking at you too intently.
4. Problems with etiquette. Such a person may seem rude or ill-mannered, but in fact he simply lacks the intuition that tells how to behave correctly. For example, he can turn away and go about his business without listening to what you say to him, or invite you to dinner and not come, or open the door when you arrive, look at you and, without greeting, go into the house. The rules of good manners, which are accepted in society, are alien to him.
5. Obsessive focus on one topic (often unusual). He may collect things that others would not think of collecting, he may have an unusual hobby, he may show an obsessive interest in some person. And talk non-stop about the subject of your passion, not noticing how it tires your interlocutors. Sometimes he suddenly switches to another hobby. If he has lost interest in the person he adored, he will suddenly become cold with him.
6. Inability to understand the feelings of another person. They are often seen as cold, unfeeling, lacking in empathy. But it’s not that they’re incapable of empathy or unwilling to show kindness. They just have less emotional experiences than others. Often they cannot understand why other people are so upset or excited, and then they prefer to go away and think about it alone.
7. Underdeveloped communication skills. Sometimes they talk non-stop about their own, not noticing that others are offended or they are no longer interested in listening. And when they don’t like someone, they abruptly end the conversation. Such behavior from the outside seems absurd.
8. Inability to share feelings. Does it surprise you when a well-known person at a meeting does not even ask how you are doing, and does not tell about his success himself? But it is unusual for people with Asperger’s syndrome to share feelings and impressions.
9. Black and white thinking. Having once come to some opinion or decision, they will stick to it, in spite of any arguments. It is difficult for them to accept that other people have a different point of view.
10. Lack of flexibility. Plans changed at the last minute? For a person with Asperger’s, this is a test fraught with psychological overload, he is not ready for impromptu. He can be upset by real trifles, seemingly not worthy of attention, or by something that is unusual for him.
11. Following a routine. For him, the structure and established rules are extremely important. In the event of a violation of the usual routine, they feel unsettled and begin to panic.
12. Hypersensitivity. They can be very sensitive to touch and try their best to avoid it, making an exception only for a partner. They will recoil if they are patted on the back and will not allow themselves to be hugged. They may also have other autistic traits, such as heightened sensitivity to sounds, lights, and even hard tags on the inside of clothing.
Можно ли излечить синдром Аспергера у взрослых?
Специфических лекарств для этого расстройства нет. Но психологические консультации в этом случае могут быть очень полезны. Психолог может научить такого клиента справляться со стрессом, эффективней выстраивать коммуникацию и взаимодействовать с окружающими, что сделает его повседневную жизнь легче.