What is Asperger’s syndrome? Recent data suggests that 1 in 150 children have an autism spectrum disorder, such as Asperger’s. Learn more about this common developmental challenge, this week on Home School Heartbeat, with HSLDA President Mike Smith and Dianne Craft.
Mike Smith:
Today, HSLDA Special Needs Coordinator Dianne Craft joins me. Dianne, welcome to the program!
Dianne Craft:
Thank you, I’m happy to be here!
Mike:
Dianne, one struggle that we are seeing in increasing numbers in both the general population and the homeschooling community is Asperger’s syndrome. Would you explain for our listeners what Asperger’s is, and how parents would know if their child is struggling with it?
Dianne:
Children with Asperger’s syndrome often display some common characteristics. Four of the most common are:
1) The strong need for routine. New settings and noises in particular bother this child.
2) Narrowed interest. This child often wants to talk about only one subject to others, even if other are not interested in that topic.
3) One of the most painful characteristics is this child’s difficultly reading social cues. In a group he’s a loner, or acts inappropriately. This child has great difficulty making friends.
4) An overactive imagination. This child is often in his own world, fascinated by his own thoughts.
Mike:
Dianne thanks for that helpful information today! We’ll talk more about this next time. And until then, I’m Mike Smith.
