Each of us has a journey in life, a path we follow, and a destination we travel toward. My journey takes me on the road least traveled, the road named Asperger’s Syndrome. This journey began eleven years ago with the birth of my son, Ben. While Ben appears to be a normal, healthy boy on the outside, on the inside he is unique, different, and very lonely. Unlike other disabilities, Asperger’s has no outward appearance, no cues to the “meltdowns.” So, you may ask, what is Asperger’s? How is it treated?
Asperger’s Syndrome is a part of the Autism Spectrum Disorder. WebMD (http://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/tc/aspergers-syndrome-symptoms) states that Asperger’s is characterized by social ineptness: the inability to socialize with one’s peers. Socialization, making friends, and playing are the main focus of growing up. Being a child with Asperger’s Syndrome makes socialization difficult, if not impossible. Without adult intervention and assistance, many children with Asperger’s are bullied, ostracized, and made to feel that they are “freaks”; these children feel that they cannot nor will they ever be loved. Such is the case with my son. There is no cure for Asperger’s. Many people assume that the child afflicted with this developmental disorder will outgrow it. This, however, is not the case. So, how is Asperger’s treated?
Behavioral therapy is one of the main treatments for Asperger’s Syndrome. During a typical session, a behavioral therapist will role play with the child, cuing him or her on the correct responses during a typical social situation. Personally, I have seen some positive result s from behavioral therapy. Yet, something is still missing. My son does not have visitors beating down our door to play; there are no invitations to birthday parties or sleepovers; the phone doesn’t ring for Ben. Additional treatments involve anti-anxiety medication and some medications used to treat ADHD. But, these only mask the symptoms of Asperger’s and also mask the unique inner beauty known as “Ben.”
Asperger’s Syndrome is complex. Anxiety, anger, frustration, and loneliness are common with those afflicted. These children are not “freaks”, they are worthy of love and friends. While they may experience “meltdowns”, ramble on about a topic that enthralls and consumes them, even pull their hair out by the roots in an attempt to make themselves feel better, they are still people. Love and friendship are stops on the road named Asperger’s but the journey toward these destinations is long, but not impossible.