Thursday 18th February is International Aspergers Day, which aims to highlight the significance of Asperger Syndrome for both society and individuals and also illustrates one of the many challenges to the newcomer trying to understand the autism spectrum.
Asperger’s Syndrome was the name given to a lifelong developmental disability that affects how people perceive the world and interact with others – https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/aspergers-syndrome (2020).
According to the Asperger/Autism Network, some professionals currently surmise that at least one in every 250 people has an Asperger profile.
Symptoms of Asperger’s Syndrome:
According to Health Direct (2020), people with this diagnosis often have average or above average intelligence, and can be quite creative, but they often find life hard. In particular, they find it hard to communicate and interact with other people.
For example, they often:
- struggle to express themselves;
- find it hard to understand others;
- find it hard to make friends;
- find it hard to work out what others might be thinking;
- find it hard to use their imagination;
These difficulties can lead to anxiety, confusion and frustration for the person, and sometimes for their family and friends.
Asperger’s Syndrome is only diagnosed by a specialist.
If you know of somebody living with Asperger’s Syndrome in the workplace, be kind. With support and encouragement, people with Asperger’s Syndrome can often lead a full and independent life. According to Health Direct (2020), sometimes people in the workplace with Aspergers Syndrome may at times need time alone or a chance to get some exercise (like a walk around the block). Breathing techniques and relaxing music may also be helpful.
Amaze.org.au provide some helpful hints when working with someone with Asperger’s Syndrome:
- Keep instructions brief and precise;
- Give the person time to process the instruction;
- If practical, make use of visual cues and procedures;
- Break work into smaller steps;