Asperger Syndrome In Adults: Symptoms, Causes And Treatment
Asperger syndrome. Leaving aside a well-known character from a popular American sitcom, if we take into account that we are dealing with an alteration linked to autism (although with normative or even superior intelligence), probably the first thing we imagine when hearing this name will be a child with a series of problems linked to literality, perseverance and fixation on certain topics and problems of socialization and communication.
However, that child we have thought of will not always be a child: As time goes by, it will grow and eventually become an adult And in this vital stage the person will also see and face new realities and challenges, at the same time as it happens to all of us, the growth of the subject itself entails some changes in the way of seeing, thinking and living.
What is Asperger syndrome like in adults? We are going to see it throughout this article.
Before going directly into the subject, it may be useful to do a brief review of what Asperger syndrome is and the type of problems or difficulties it entails.
Asperger’s syndrome is one of the neurodevelopmental disorders which is characterized by the presence of great difficulties in communication and socialization, along with difficulties in facing changes and the existence of restricted and rigid patterns of behavior and interests. This syndrome is usually diagnosed around seven years of age or even in adolescence. Although there may be earlier signs, it is generally not until evolutionary development makes us relate to our peers fluidly that these problems begin to be seen.
These people have great difficulty putting themselves in the shoes of others and feeling empathy, as well as guessing or interpreting the mental state of others from their behavior or words. In this sense, it is common for them to have a hard time understanding why others act the way they do. They also have difficulty interpreting gestures, looks and symbolic elements. They are deeply literal and have trouble understanding language figuratively. This is why it is difficult for them to understand many expressions, sayings, clichés or jokes. They also present problems in pragmatic language, that is, using certain languages and ways of expressing themselves depending on the context.
Difficulties socializing
One of the most characteristic elements is the presence of problems when interacting with their peers and the limitation of their social life, with a high reserve and difficulty in relating. Despite this, they generally do have an interest and desire to relate and bond with others. There is also a tendency to need their own personal space and to isolate themselves when they feel bad It is common for them to add to their thoughts. It is common for them not to make eye contact and to maintain a neutral facial expression, as they may also have difficulty expressing their own emotions.
Generally the level of intelligence of these people is at the population average, and sometimes even above. At the level of behavior they tend to be very formal (sometimes they have even been considered pedantic) and they normally have an extensive and flowery vocabulary. It also highlights the fact that they tend to have repetitive and constant interests, of which they can become great experts. Furthermore, another common element is the difficulty in facing changes: they need a routine life to feel safe and calm.
Motor clumsiness
Another common element in people with Asperger’s is the presence of clumsiness at a motor level, along with occasional stereotyped movements that they use as a method to calm themselves. Finally, it has been observed that they sometimes present hypersensitivity to some types of stimulation, such as sound, light or smell.
Although they can lead a normative and autonomous life, the characteristics of this syndrome mean that those who suffer from it may have difficulties in their daily lives, especially when it comes to relating to others (both at a socio-relational and academic level). or even work).
Asperger’s in adults
As we have said and taking into account that it is a neurodevelopmental disorder, Asperger syndrome is generally thought of as a childhood problem. However, as they get older and reach adulthood, the problems and symptoms can be greatly reduced in some aspects while others are modified or even added.
Specifically, In Asperger syndrome in adults, problems with relating and communicating fluently with others usually persist There may be difficulties when starting a conversation or meeting someone new. In this sense, it is possible that there are difficulties when it comes to finding a partner or friends, and even that it is thought that he despises or does not want contact with others. In this, the existence of a very low level of empathy or the ability to understand the behavior and emotions of others is especially important.
A certain cognitive bias can also be seen aimed at trying to benefit themselves. Not because of selfishness in itself, but because of not understanding the needs of the other or not grasping why those of the other can be as important or more important than one’s own (remember that one of the symptoms mentioned above was the absence or presence of empathy difficulties).
If the problem has been detected in previous life stages, it is possible that the difficulties in understanding emotions and even the figurative use of language have improved compared to what a child would have, although some difficulty generally persists. The subject has probably had to learn mentally or cognitively to react emotionally. Spontaneity is also usually minimal.
At the work level, these difficulties can have a negative effect, something that at the work level can lead to conflicts with colleagues, subordinates or superiors. Teamwork can be a big problem Despite this, and especially if they manage to do a job that is part of one of their interests, they can show high capacity and performance.
Rigid and stereotyped behaviors can reach obsessive levels and absorb much of a person’s time. The behavior can be extravagant and their language monotonous and excessively formal and grandiloquent. They can be extremely sincere, to the point of seeming cruel. They also tend to acquire great perfectionism, in addition to being extremely rational.
The person with Asperger’s may have trouble forming their own identity On an emotional level, it is not uncommon for adults with Asperger’s to consider themselves peculiar and even strange people compared to others. This can lead to self-hatred, depression and problems such as anxiety due to the perception of differences with respect to others.
When the diagnosis is made in adulthood
We have been seeing what Asperger syndrome is like in adults and what characteristics it has. But in addition to what has been mentioned so far, it is necessary to keep in mind that Asperger’s is not always detected in childhood but is sometimes detected for the first time when the subject is an adult. And it is not that the syndrome appears suddenly: that person has had Asperger’s throughout their life. But sometimes the symptomatology has been associated with a character or way of being of the person, it has been associated with another problem (in some cases with unique characteristics it may have been confused with schizophrenia, for example) or it has simply gone unnoticed.
These cases, who may even go to consultation themselves after having read or seen something about the syndrome that they suddenly realize is what is happening to them, have lived a life in which their difficulties have probably not been understood. In this sense they may have developed a high degree of isolation, been misunderstood or even rejected for what other people may have thought was coldness or even cruelty (when in reality it may have been the product of misunderstanding), and have had difficulties academically and professionally as well as socially.
A good diagnosis can make some of the situations that the person may experience more understood, the environment can be more aware (for example of difficulties with figurative language or reading emotions) or even work can be done at the emotional level. therapy and education with procedures aimed at improving their ability to understand what is happening in the environment. In any case, it is also possible to work on it as adults, although normally if it is detected in childhood it may be easier to treat possible problems
Dealing with Asperger’s in adults
Asperger’s is a condition that does not have any type of “curative” treatment, and in fact what is treatable is the presence of possible difficulties derived from said condition. However, It is possible to use different treatments to promote social functioning and reduce possible problems Treatment is usually multidisciplinary, and may include psychologists, psychiatrists, occupational therapists, speech therapists or social educators, among others.
Mostly we are dealing with a psychoeducational type intervention, in which little by little the patient is taught to identify their own and other people’s emotions, to manage their own emotions or improve social skills. Training communication skills is also useful. It may also be useful to resort to psychotherapy to alleviate possible depressive or anxious problems, in addition to trying to combat frequently used cognitive biases that make the subject’s daily life or social participation difficult (for example, the sensation of feeling different or strange).
The use of speech therapies may also be advisable to improve aspects such as fluency, rhythm and tone, as well as regular exercise to improve mobility and reduce motor clumsiness. If there is a partner, it may be useful to work on aspects such as communication with them. It can also be helpful to work on communication and transmission of affection towards children, through different techniques and psychoeducation.
