What should we know about Aspergers symptoms in children? A child with a developmental disorder, such as Asperger’s syndrome, is different from other kids. Over time, parents and professionals have learned to identify this diagnostic term that describes a very unusual profile of abilities. However, the child with Aspergers syndrome also notices that he (or she) is different from other children. Some children with Asperger’s internalize their emotional reactions to contrast with others, while other children externalized their emotional reactions.
Depression is one of the first Aspergers symptoms in Children
Children with Asperger’s can not understand intuitively how to play or interact with their peers. As a result, they may become a target of ridicule and rejection, which destroy their self-esteem. Social competence and capacity for friendship is very prized among typical children, and the lack of these skills may lead to the fact that some children with Asperger’s syndrome internalize their thoughts and feelings in the form of constant self-criticism and increasing social isolation.
Sometimes, at the age of six years, such children have reactive depression, which occurs as a result of awareness of their dissimilarity to the other.
Related themes:
Aspergers Symptoms In Adults
What is Asperger’s syndrome?
Imagination
Escape into a world of imagination may become more constructive internalization of thoughts and feelings. The child cultivates is very bright and complicated imaginary world, sometimes even with imaginary friends. In this fantasy world the child is looking for social and academic success that he does not have in real life. In some cases, such developed imagination may cause a strong interest in reading and writing imaginative literature or other works of art.
Escape into a world of imagination can be psychologically constructive adaptation. However, there is a risk that preoccupation by own fantasies can lead to failure of other activities, as well as other people will misinterpret the intentions and mood of a teenager.
Aspergers symptoms in children may cause anger and arrogance
An alternative way to deal with negative thoughts and feelings about their dissimilarity to other people is their externalization. “It’s not my fault, it’s your fault”. The child may overcompensate low competence in social situations with a total denial of the problems, arrogance and anger toward the people around him.
In this case, any suggestions of additional programs or psychotherapy will be heatedly denied. The child becomes arrogant, that leads to behavioral problems. Unfortunately, one of the possible impact of arrogance, denial and immaturity of empathy associated with Asperger’s may become physical aggression in retaliation for the social humiliation. Aggression may also be a sign of another mental problem – oppositional defiant disorder. But it’s another topic for another article.
Imitation
More psychologically meaningful way to externalize thoughts and feelings is observation and imitation of the behavior of socially successful peers. The child learns how to “play” in social situations, literally becoming a different child.
Some kids with Aspergers syndrome are capable of very accurate observations, they can perfectly copy gestures, tone of voice and manners of others. It can be a constructive way to achieve social inclusion, unless, of course, the child finds a worthy example to follow. Unfortunately, some teens with Asperger’s begin to copy the most popular peers who are “bad guys” with not very good behavior.
Do I need to explain to the child his diagnosis?
The answer is unequivocal – “Yes”. Clinical experience shows that it is extremely important to explain to a child with Asperger’s syndrome his diagnosis. This will help to prevent the development of inappropriate compensatory mechanisms, as mentioned above. In addition, it motivates the child to participate in treatment programs. Aspergers Symptoms In Children are not so dangerous if both you and your kid know what to do.
