How to Get Treatment for Asperger's Syndrome

Asperger's syndrome is a neurological, developmental disorder falling on the autism spectrum. This disorder is characterized by limited interests, repetitive behaviors, peculiar speech patterns, poor nonverbal communication, and difficulty establishing and maintaining relationships with peers. The sooner a person gets treatment for Asperger's syndrome then better the outcome. Fortunately, there are a various routes to get treatment for a child.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Talk to your child's school psychologist. Asperger's syndrome is a disability covered under the Individuals With Disabilities Act. The school can test your child and provide subsequent interventions if your child qualifies for services. If you don't know how to contact the school psychologist, talk to your child's teacher or principal for assistance.
2. Contact a general pediatrician and obtain a referral to a developmental pediatrician. A developmental pediatrician is medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating children with developmental delays. This type of doctor can provide prescription medication if necessary.
3. Visit a social worker or family counselor who specializes in developmental disorders. These mental health professional are integral in helping the family coordinate services and identify strategies that can be used in the home.
4. Ask your doctor for a referral to a speech and language pathologist. People with Asperger's syndrome often have difficulty with the pragmatics of speech, which is the common give and take that occurs during conversation. Speech and language pathologists know strategies that can improve a person's pragmatics.
5. Make an appointment with an occupational therapist if your child is having sensory integration difficulties. Look for an oversensitivity to touch, movement, sights or sounds. Also an unusually high or low activity level, clumsiness, or an inability to calm down are common symptoms.
6. Contact parent organizations or local support groups to learn more about parent training opportunities and meeting times for support groups. Other parents can be your greatest asset.