What is asperger's syndrome?

Question

I need to understand the symptoms and what can help a child deal with it. I need to know where to find good information.

Answer 1

Asperger's is a form of autism. More commonly found in boys than girls.  A relatively mild form. Characterized by lack of understanding of social norms and boundaries, among other symptoms. More here:

http://health.yahoo.com/children-behavio...

Answer 2

Asperger's is on the spectrum of autism.  Compared with classic autism, children with Asperger's Syndrome usually don't show any signs of major cognitive difficulties — their IQ falls in the normal or even superior range—and they exhibit few, if any, delays in speaking. They also generally hit most of their milestones within reasonable time periods. Because of this, some describe children with this condition as “high-functioning” or as having a “mild” form of autism, at least compared to others on the spectrum. To many, they may seem just like other children but not quite — socially awkward in a manner that's not easily understood.

Answer 3

Asperger's is a form of Autism sometimes called or referred to as "high functioning autism".

The essential features of Asperger's Disorder are severe and sustained impairment in social interaction and the development of restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interest, and activity. The disturbance must have clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, and other important areas of functioning. In contrast to Autistic Disorder, there are no clinically significant delays in language. In addition there are no clinically significant delays in cognitive development or in the development of age-appropriate self-help skills, adaptive behavior, and curiosity about the environment in childhood. To the untrained observer, a child with Asperger's Disorder may just seem like a normal child behaving differently.

It's really hard to say how to help him deal with it because each person is unique and needs help to meet their specific needs, as they say "one size doesn't fit all". However their are organizations that can help you:

If you go to the Autism Society of America (ASA) they have the following info for Asperger's: characteristics,  diagnosis,  educational issues, post-secondary education, adults with Asperger's , working with an individual with aspergers,

employment, & living arrangements. If you look into a local chapter they can help get you started in the right direction with resources in your community. Your local school board can help with resources as well. CARD centers (center for autism and related diseases - usually at local universities) are a great place for resources as well, they offer free classes for the parents after the child has been put into their database and a parent has attended an orientation. They will also come to your home and the childs school and teach techniques to any one in contact with them.