In recent years, awareness of Asperger’s syndrome has increased as more people are diagnosed with this high-functioning type of autism. With Asperger’s syndrome frequently portrayed on television and awareness in the media, there is a greater general understanding of the social skills struggles that face those with Asperger’s. These challenges often present as difficulty understanding social cues or disinterest in other’s feelings and expressions. Because high functioning autism can go undiagnosed, it may be harder for children with this form of autism to receive the treatment that they need. Often, one of the most valuable therapies for Asperger’s is social skills training.
At EMIT, we provide telehealth therapy programs for children ages 1.5 to 18 with Asperger’s and other degrees of autism across New Jersey. Learn more about our programs by calling us today at 844.983.0240.
What Is Asperger’s Syndrome?
Asperger’s syndrome is a type of high functioning autism or a level 1 on the autism scale. As the name suggests, those with Asperger’s function at a very high level. These children are often highly intelligent and may have solid verbal language skills. Because of this, their diagnosis may go undetected. Signs of Asperger’s may include:
- A stubborn inflexibility in behaviors or thoughts, such as needing to be right all the time, unwilling to change
- Difficulty switching between different activities or the desire to play one game and stick with it
- Speaking without prosody, meaning consistently flat speech without variation in tone no matter what they are saying
- Trouble with social interactions leading to self-isolating, difficulty making friends, or argumentative behavior that seems inflexible
Depending on a child’s age and the severity of symptoms, the parent may not notice their Asperger’s symptoms. Because of this, it’s always best to seek out trained therapists to assess and diagnose Asperger’s syndrome and determine the best course of autism treatment therapy.
Social Skills Training for Asperger’s
Understanding the subtlety of social life is often the main challenge for those with Asperger’s syndrome. Those struggling with this high functioning autism may have trouble reading body language or understanding social situations unless they engage in a social skills training program. These training programs may include any of the following to help children better understand the world around them:
- Understanding social cues: This includes a focus on body language, eye contact, tone, and appropriate social distance in conversation.
- Non-literal language training: This focuses on expressions of speech, metaphor, idioms, and general slang for better understanding.
- Emotional understanding: This training helps children identify feelings, often with the use of images, to understand the facial expression of those around them. At the same time, this treatment can help them understand and express their own spectrum of feelings.
Social skills training can make a world of difference for children with Asperger’s through practice at home, school, and in therapeutic sessions. These simple tools help children understand those around them, making them more likely to engage socially and live happier, more fulfilling lives as they grow into adulthood. Over time, regular social skills training can help a child develop patterns and routines for a normal and healthy life. They can avoid self-isolation, and create deeper, more meaningful relationships.
Contact EMIT for More Information
At EMIT, we are committed to helping children with Asperger’s syndrome and other types of autism to manage and overcome their challenges so that they can blossom and thrive. Each child we treat receives an individualized treatment plan, which our experts will provide via in-home telehealth treatment. We will carefully determine what the child’s needs are and what treatments would work best for their needs. To learn more about your child’s treatment options, please contact our treatment team today at 844.983.0240.
