Question Title: Is Ausperger's (sp?) for real

My question is this.....I have a 9-year-old nephew who's mother claims he has something called "Ausperger's (sp?) Syndrome". She believes, because he tested high on an IQ test when he was 5, that he is a genius who cannot relate to "normal" children with lower IQ's. He also cannot take too much external stimuli (I consider it not being able to take not getting his own way). One of my close friends is in the medical field and has said that most doctors will not even agree that this particular syndrome exists, and some even go as far as to say it is strictly a child with severe behavioral problems. He has always gotten everything he has ever wanted, with his mother giving him the distinct impression that he is the center of the universe. The second anyone disagrees with him or won't give in to his desires for whatever, he will pull his own hair, kick or hit/punch others, stomp feet, and even throw himself on the ground, go into a rage. It's so sad to see, and she has taken him to a psychiatrist who deals with this "syndrome" after visiting many other doctors who apparently did not say what she wanted to hear, which in essence, is that it's not her fault in any way that her child behaves this way. No parent wants to believe they have erred in how they've raised their child, and certainly no parent wants to believe their child is a selfish, self-centered tyrant, but my honest question is, is "Ausperger's (sp?) Syndrome for real or is it something our modern society has come up to make ill-behaved children (or their parents) feel better about themselves? In my opinion it is condoning the bad behavior instead of dealing with it directly and calling it what it really is...........bad-tempered, ill-mannered, and self-centered behavior. This child will grow up into an adult one day, and wouldn't it be better to face this problem head on, then to try to explain it away? I fear for this child, and any people he comes into contact with. He certainly won't always be able to have his mother there to smooth things over for him. Any help you could offer would be appreciated.

Dear Annie,

Yes, there is a legitimate condition called Asperger's Disorder. It is one type of Pervasive Developmental Disorder, and is characterized by impairment in social interaction; restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests and activities. In such children there is no significant delay in cognitive development or in achievement of self-help skills.

Now, simply because Asperger's is a legitimate condition does not mean that your nephew displays the condition. And, even if he does display the condition, a significant component of intervention involves management of behavior.

Unruly, defiant, disruptive behavior requires sensible management, including a systematic plan for limit-setting and discipline, regardless of whether the behavior reflects a childhood behavior problem (along the normal spectrum) or a childhood emotional disorder. It sounds like your nephew's parents need some help in learning how to manage his behavior. Emotional disorders are not excuses for misbehavior. For some ideas about behavior management, check the Archives in this forum.

The information in this forum is provided for purposes of general education. Always address particular questions about your health to your health care providers.

*Keyword: Behavior, Asperger's Disorder