When I mention Asperger’s Syndrome, many people may nod and smile at me, but they often aren’t sure what the diagnosis really entails. I thought it might be helpful to give a short description of what Asperger’s Syndrome is to clear up the mystery. At this time, Asperger’s Syndrome is still considered to be part of the Autism Spectrum, although there is a possibility it will be separated into its own category in the very near future.

Asperger’s Syndrome is a developmental disorder that was first “discovered” in 1944 by Austrian pediatrician Hans Asperger (thus the name). It usually is characterized by the following symptoms –

  • limited interests or an unusual preoccupation with a particular subject to the exclusion of other activities
  • repetitive routines or rituals
  • peculiarities in speech and language, such as speaking in an overly formal manner or in a monotone, or taking figures of speech literally
  • socially and emotionally inappropriate behavior and the inability to interact successfully with peers
  • problems with non-verbal communication, including the restricted use of gestures, limited or inappropriate facial expressions, or a peculiar, stiff gaze
  • clumsy and uncoordinated motor movements
Most “aspies”, as we affectionately refer to them, are boys although more and more girls are being diagnosed now.  As with most disorders, Asperger’s has a multitude of variations, so no two Aspies are exactly alike. I’ve sat at a table with a group of mothers of Aspies and we’ve been amazed at the variety of symptomology among are children despite having the same diagnosis. This, of course, is what makes it so frustrating to treat the disorder.
The GFCF diet can be helpful with Aspies because, just like with other autism spectrum disorders, it is believed they have a great deal of yeast and bacterial overgrowth in their gut that needs to be healed. The best way to begin is by eliminating dairy and gluten and seeing a biomedical doctor for ELISA testing to find out what other foods the child may be allergic to and what can be eliminated to help them feel better.
Like my son, many Aspies aren’t diagnosed until elementary school, or they are initially diagnosed as ADHD. If you suspect that your child may be “on the spectrum,” you may want to visit the following websites to read more and ask your pediatrician or school psychologist for a screening –