Asperger Treatment

The ideal Asperger treatment coordinates therapies that address the core symptoms of the disorder: poor communication skills, obsessive or repetitive routines, and physical clumsiness. There is no single best Asperger treatment program. Asperger treatment may include social skills training, medication for coexisting conditions, and cognitive behavioral therapy.

 

Asperger Treatment: An Overview

The ideal Asperger treatment coordinates therapies that address the three core symptoms of the disorder:
 
  • Poor communication skills
  • Obsessive or repetitive routines
  • Physical clumsiness.
     
There is no single best Asperger treatment program for all children with Asperger syndrome, but most professionals agree that the earlier the intervention, the better.
 
Asperger treatment may include:
 

Strategies for Treating Asperger

An effective Asperger treatment program:
 
  • Teaches tasks as a series of simple steps
  • Builds on the child's interests
  • Offers a predictable schedule
  • Actively engages the child's attention in highly structured activities
  • Provides regular reinforcement of behavior.
     

Asperger Treatment: Prognosis

With effective treatment, children with Asperger syndrome can learn to cope with their disabilities, but they may still find social situations and personal relationships challenging.
 
Many adults with Asperger syndrome are able to work successfully in mainstream jobs, although they may continue to need encouragement and moral support to maintain an independent life.
 
Asperger syndrome is not fatal and does not affect normal life expectancy.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD