Teenage Aspergers: Symptoms, Treatment And Care To Take

Image: Shutterstock

Aspergers in teenagers might affect their quality of life, including social and interpersonal skills. Asperger’s syndrome or Asperger’s disorder belongs to the group of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), autism spectrum disorder (ASD) impacts roughly 2.8% of all eight-year-old children, coming to about one in every 36 children(16). Although this syndrome is not a severe mental illness; children might find it hard to communicate, act, and show repetitive behavior if left untreated. However, they will have good language and cognitive skills (1). Read on to know about the symptoms, causes, management, and long-term outlook of Asperger’s syndrome in teenagers.

What Does Asperger’s Look Like In Teenagers?

To an untrained individual, a teen with Asperger’s may come across as a neurotypical child behaving differently. Teens with this disorder usually like to follow a monotonous lifestyle and hate any changes in their routines. Also, they may consider themselves a misfit among their peers and show disinterest in interacting with others.

They seem to make little or no eye contact, have few facial expressions, and come across as socially awkward as they may fail to understand conversations, gestures, or sarcasm. A teen with Asperger’s syndrome usually has less severe symptoms than a teen with autism, and they also don’t usually have speech delays (2).

Aiden Riley, a blogger who has Asperger syndrome, shares about his life as a teenager, which was years before the proper diagnosis was made. He says, “When I hit my late teens, my insecurities caused me to query myself. 

Questions formed in my mind: why do I struggle to feel like I belong? Why do I feel the need to run and hide and be alone? Why did I feel like the odd one out in school?I began to do research and found stories written by other aspies (those with Asperger syndrome) who were in similar situations. I came across symptoms that painted an exact illustration of myself. The more I read, the more I realised that it was me. It wasn’t until the age of 25 when I was diagnosed and all the relief and frustration of not knowing came pouring out (i).”

What Are The Symptoms Of Asperger’s Syndrome?

The signs and symptoms of Asperger’s syndrome generally appear in early childhood and develop progressively in adolescence. Asperger’s symptoms may vary among teenagers; however, some common symptoms include (1) (3) (17) :

• Avoiding social interactions and friendships.
• Sensitivity to light and sounds.

• Sensory processing difficulties
• Preferring nonverbal communication or being unable to converse despite having good language skills.
• Abnormal eye contact, body language, and facial expressions.
• Repeating behaviors, such as hand or finger flapping.
• Having a fixed routine and interests, such as not wanting to eat particular foods.
• Weak executive functioning skills
• Inability to empathize with others or comprehend typical social norms and instructions.
• Frequent aggressive or eccentric behavior – being frustrated if things don’t happen their way.
• Being emotional about things said to them and being overly sensitive to criticism.
• Difficulty making friends. Andy Whyte, a blogger, shares about living with old brother James, who has Asperger syndrome. He says, “James has Asperger Syndrome and a number of other complications relating to a deficiency with his 18th chromosome known as ‘18q Disorder’. He further shares about their teen years, saying, “As he matured into his teens, he had a lot of issues with tempers. He would flip, and nothing would work to calm him down. They were intense tantrums, and he would usually end up storming to his room. He would ALWAYS come down a little later and apologize and ALWAYS feel guilty and say he didn’t understand why he had got so mad (ii).”

Recent studies also suggest Asperger’s as a type of autism; however, it is usually associated with other conditions, such as motor coordination disorders. It also increases one’s risk of developing schizophreniaⁱA serious mental disorder where the person confuses the real world with the imaginative world due to disruption in their though process. and major depressive disordersⁱAlso known as clinical depression, it is a mental health condition that makes the person have persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest. (18).

What Causes Asperger’s Syndrome In Teenagers?

The exact cause of Asperger’s syndrome is not known. However, experts believe that genetic, neurobiological, and environmental factors play a role.

In addition, Pregnancy-related aspects such as older parents during conception,  chromosomal abnormalities such as fragile X syndromeⁱA genetic intellectual disorder that leads to learning disabilities, cognitive impairment, anxiety, and hyperactiveness , and medications taken by the mother for anxiety or mood disorders might also increase a child’s risk for Asperger’s syndrome (4).

Did you know?

Around 11 to 40 percent of children and teens with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are likely to be affected by anxiety disorders (13).

Several genes are associated with Asperger’s syndrome, with the major one being the GABRB3 gene, which is also associated with other Autism spectrum conditions (5). Research is ongoing for understanding the different genetic variations and environmental factors that are potential triggering factors of this syndrome.

Note: Asperger’s syndrome is not caused due to bad parenting, immunization, or other social circumstances.

When To See The Doctor?

You may consider taking your child to a qualified health professional (child psychologist or speech pathologist) if they show any signs of autism or have difficulties in (6)

• Making friends of their age or speaking or playing with them.
• Communicating; they seem to be awkward and lost.
• Understanding others’ perspectives and feelings.
• Understanding the nuances and depth of a language.

Research finds

A recent group study demonstrated that teens with Asperger’s syndrome are at a higher risk of developing mental health problems, including depression and bipolar disorderⁱA mental disorder characterized by extreme mood swings, depressive lows, and manic highs . Therefore, it is vital to identify your teen’s symptoms early to initiate timely diagnosis and management (14).

How Is Asperger’s Syndrome Diagnosed?

Diagnosis of Asperger’s syndrome is made by a medical professional experienced in studying autism spectrum disorders. While the symptoms of Asperger’s may appear in early childhood between the ages of 1-3 years, the diagnosis is often delayed until pre-teen years and later (17). It is based on thorough observation and assessment of the teen’s developmental history. In addition, the teen may be questioned to learn about their learning and social abilities, movement skills, and special interests. The doctor or the psychiatrist would also give questionnaires and perform assessment tests, including the Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ) and Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale-Revised (RAADS-R) (a self-scoring ASD screening test) (17).

The evaluation can take a few years and is usually done at home, school, or in a playroom setup (3). In addition, a doctor may conduct standardized screenings such as autism-specific screening tests and blood or genetic tests to look for any underlying inherited disorders such as fragile X syndrome or hereditary metabolic disordersⁱA set of hereditary disorders that interfere with the body’s metabolism, usually occurring due to the absence of a hormone or enzyme (7). The doctor may also evaluate the teen for other comorbid conditions and they may also prescribe neuroimaging tests like MRIⁱMagnetic resonance imaging is a medical imaging technique that uses strong magnetic field to produce an image of the organs of the body. and ECGⁱElectrocardiogram, it is a simple, quick, and non-invasive test to record the heart's electrical activity (17).

What Are The Treatment Options For Asperger’s Syndrome?

A combination of medications and therapies to improve social, behavioral, and communication skills is proven to help teens with this condition.

• Medications: Risperidone and aripiprazole are FDA-approved drugs given to reduce the symptoms and control self-injurious behaviors; however, these are also used for managing the symptoms, such as aggression, irritability, and self-injury for a short term (17). Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as Fluoxetine and Paroxetine are effective in reducing repetitive behaviors. Mood stabilizers and stimulants help control hyperactivity and eccentric behavior in teens (7) (8).

These drugs must be taken under the supervision of your child’s psychologist or doctor, as they pose a risk of side effects.

• Alternative therapies: Cognitive behavioral therapyⁱA type of talk therapy in which a person is trained to manage mental issues by turning their negative thoughts into positive ones , social skills training, family therapy, and applied behavior analysis-based therapies are recommended to help the teen develop coping strategies, enhance their interpersonal skills, and learn independent living skills such as punctuality and grooming.
• Other therapies include intravenous immunoglobulin therapy, individualized educational programs, auditory integration training, and specialized diet therapy (8). These therapies are not widely used as they are still being researched. Hence, you may consult the child’s physician before proceeding with any of these therapies to provide a personalized treatment regimen according to the child’s requirements. 

Quick tip

Talk to your teen to comprehend their likes and dislikes and design effective treatment and management strategies to manage their negative emotions.

Support Strategies For Parents

Family, including parents and siblings, play a significant role in the management of Asperger syndrome. Moreover, the way you interact with them can majorly affect their behavior. Here are some pointers that you should keep in mind when helping your child with Asperger’s syndrome (19):

• Establish a consistent routine to provide a sense of stability and security.
• Encourage open communication and help them express their feelings and experiences.
• Teach them how to express anger and other emotions without being too aggressive.
• Model how to behave in different social settings and interact with people of different ages.
• Provide opportunities for them to socialize.
• Use positive reinforcement to encourage independence, self-care, and respectful behaviors during social interactions.
• Participate in support groups and organizations to learn how to help your child from other parents’ experiences.
• Inform and teach others, including school, neighborhood, community, and their friends, about Asperger syndrome.

Is There A Cure For Asperger’s Syndrome?

There is no cure for Asperger’s Syndrome (3). However, timely diagnosis can support individuals in taking necessary steps to avoid potential risks. Moreover, with a vast range of treatment options available, it is now possible to treat and manage the condition. Additionally, education on the matter can help individuals better understand its associated challenges.

Infographic: Tips For Making Teens With Asperger’s Syndrome Independent

Teenage is the time when all individuals aspire for independence and often have conflicts with their parents. A teen with Asperger’s syndrome should be trained to commute and survive independently. You may gradually let them do things independently from a young age while ensuring their safety. Go through the infographic to learn some tips to balance the risks while letting independence to your teen with Asperger’s syndrome.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Explore the intricacies of Asperger’s Syndrome, a unique facet of autism influencing social interactions and communication. Delve into its challenges and the potential for gratifying experiences through an enlightening video.

Was this article helpful?

Community Experiences

Join the conversation and become a part of our nurturing community! Share your stories, experiences, and insights to connect with fellow parents.

Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Dr. Neha Bhave SalankarMD

Dr. Neha Bhave Salankar is a consultant psychiatrist at Bhave Institute of Mental Health based in Nagpur and has around 11 years of experience in the field. Having been a meritorious student throughout, she bagged the prestigious gold medal for medicine in MBBS and MD psychiatry.

Read full bio of Dr. Neha Bhave Salankar

Vidya TadapatriMSc (Biotechnology)

Vidya did her post-graduation in Biotechnology from Osmania University, Hyderabad. Her interest in scientific research and writing made her pursue a career in writing, in which she now has over five years of experience. She has done certified biotechnology-related training programs under renowned organizations such as Centre For Cellular & Molecular Biology and Department of Biotechnology.

Read full bio of Vidya Tadapatri

Dr. Ritika ShahBDS, CLC

Dr. Ritika Shah is a certified lactation counsellor (CLC) from iNational Health Care Academy, Singapore and a dental surgeon with more than seven years of clinical experience across various cities in India. She did her graduation in Dentistry from KM Shah Dental College.

Read full bio of Dr. Ritika Shah

Apoorva KMSc (Counseling Psychology)

Apoorva is a certified psychological counselor and NLP practitioner. The assistant professor-turned-writer believes that her experience as a teacher, psychologist, and researcher enables her to guide MomJunction readers on child development and mental health.

Read full bio of Apoorva K