Normal life possible despite Asperger syndrome

In Asperger syndrome, a normal life is possible despite autistic disorder

08/06/2014

People with Asperger's Syndrome are often exposed to many prejudices and stereotypes. On the one hand, they are considered gifted child prodigies on the other „Nerds“, who are unable to lead an independent life. The news agency „dpa“ talked to experts about the everyday life of people with Asperger's Syndrome.

Children with Asperger's syndrome show early behavioral problems
About 0.9 percent of the population suffer from Asperger syndrome. Already in childhood, they are noticed by behavioral problems. Most of their interests are very limited, but these are often exceptional and are very deeply pursuing. In everyday situations, Asperger's children also often show unusual and non-situational responses, as they find it difficult to socialize and communicate with others. Many suffer from compulsive behavior characterized by repetitive routines. „Asperger's Syndrome is an autistic disorder that − like all other autistic disorders too − begins in early childhood and is associated with significant abnormalities“, explains Inge Kamp-Becker from the special outpatient clinic for autism spectrum disorders at the University Hospital Marburg to the news agency.

Most people with Asperger's Syndrome can attend normal schools. As a rule, they also do not suffer from language development disorders such as children with early childhood autism. „Although parents usually notice early on that their children are somehow different“, so Kamp-Becker. „Conspicuous behaviors are often tolerated in infancy.“ Therefore, the syndrome is often diagnosed late. However, that does not mean that Asperger's Syndrome is just a mild autistic disorder and those affected are highly gifted.

People with Asperger's Syndrome can learn to interpret facial expressions and gestures
It is particularly difficult for autistic people to understand facial expressions and gestures and to correctly interpret the emotions of their counterparts. As a result, they often can not understand the intent of someone in conversation. „This is a skill that usually develops around the age of four, and probably has a lot to do with the networking of different brain areas“, explains Prof. Ludger Tebartz van Elst from the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at the University of Freiburg to the news agency. Since autistic people are often overwhelmed in the social interaction with their fellow human beings, their strong need for solid routines could have developed. It is very important to make an early diagnosis. „Otherwise there is such a rat tail of misunderstandings, so much frustration, teasing and lack of acceptance − at school, at work and in relationships“, Tebartz van Elst reports.

Through intensive training, sufferers can learn what is intuitively given to others, such as the understanding of facial expressions and gestures, coping with everyday situations and responding appropriately to situations. As the psychiatrist explains, job integration is also very important.

An example of a successful integration into the profession is the autistic Christine Preißmann, who works as a general practitioner and psychotherapist. She told the news agency that more and more people with autistic disorders would graduate. The doctor wants more acceptance in society. For this, it is important to present a realistic picture of autism, which does not correspond exclusively to a highly gifted child or the child who is sitting in the corner in a swinging position. Those affected are normal people despite autistic disorder.

Companies rely on special skills of autistic people
For some years, companies have been focusing on the abilities of autistics. So a very good concentration, meticulousness, attention to detail and their special way of logical thinking fit perfectly into the areas of programming, software testing and quality assurance of IT groups. For this reason, SAP wants to occupy one percent of its currently 65,000 jobs with people with an autistic disorder by the year 2020.

Another example is the IT service provider „Auticon“, which has already opened offices in Berlin, Dusseldorf, Munich and Frankfurt am Main, where people with Asperger syndrome are used as consultants. Autistic people have job coaches at their disposal to help them with social problems. (Ag)