Research for Treatment of Asperger’s

Asperger’s syndrome is a disorder that affects a child’s developmental skills primarily in the category of communication and socialization. Children who suffer from Asperger\’s syndrome have a great deal of trouble in social settings. They noticeably focus on specific topics and attempt to learn everything about it. It is a psychological disorder grouped with the autism spectrum disorders, also known as pervasive developmental disorders. Asperger’s disorder is a mild case of autism spectrum disorder.

Children with Asperger’s disorder may display a lack of eye contact with others, awkward body movements and gestures and little facial expression. They enjoy and do focus on one topic and talk about it. They have trouble with interpreting the facial expressions and other non-verbal communication from other people. Children with Asperger\’s syndrome may be poorly coordinated and their speech may be monotone or fast. The symptoms of Asperger’s can mimic normal childhood development. However, when a child has trouble adapting to social settings it is time for considering outside intervention and consulting with your child’s pediatrician.

Asperger\’s syndrome is thought to be a genetic anomaly and cannot be cured. Although, with therapy, children and adults are able to learn to cope with the symptoms and interact with others socially. Some children benefit from the use of medications, such as those used in the treatment of ADHD.

Research into the treatment of Asperger’s syndrome and autism is currently using the hormone, oxytocin, which occurs naturally in people. This hormone is thought to allow people better awareness and reaction capabilities when interacting socially and dealing with their emotions.

How oxytocin works in this situation is not clear. However, it is known to encourage bonding in a relationship, and is secreted in a woman\’s body during orgasm, during birth and when her child is nursing. This study has been done previously in humans and did show significant abilities in understanding the expressions of others. Expectations are high and testing is being accomplished using male subjects in their early to late teen years with the use of a nasal spray of oxytocin. This test will be conducted for a year and then follow-up will be done.

RESOURCES

Cord Blood Registry: Ground Breaking Autism Clinical Trial

Topics in Language Disorders: Contemporary Outcome Research and Programming Guidelines for Asperger Syndrome and High-Functioning Autism

MayoClinic: Asperger\’s Syndrome

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Asperger Syndrome