Signs and symptoms of Asperger's syndrome include:

• Engaging in one-sided, long-winded conversations, without noticing if the listener is listening or trying to change the subject
• Displaying unusual nonverbal communication, such as lack of eye contact, few facial expressions, or awkward body postures and gestures
• Showing an intense obsession with one or two specific, narrow subjects, such as baseball statistics, train schedules, weather or snakes
• Appearing not to understand, empathize with or be sensitive to others' feelings
• Having a hard time "reading" other people or understanding humor
• Speaking in a voice that is monotonous, rigid or unusually fast
• Moving clumsily, with poor coordination
• Having an odd posture or a rigid gait

When to see a doctor
All kids have their quirks, and many toddlers show a sign or symptom of Asperger's syndrome at some point. It's natural for small children to be egocentric, and many little ones show a strong interest in a particular topic, such as dinosaurs or a favorite fictional character. These aren't reasons to be alarmed.

However, if your elementary schoolchild has frequent problems in school or seems unable to make friends, it's time to consult your pediatrician. These difficulties have many possible causes, but developmental disorders such as Asperger's syndrome need to be considered. Children whose eccentricities interfere with learning and social development should have a comprehensive evaluation.

©1998-2009 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Terms of use.

Doctors and researchers don't understand what causes Asperger's syndrome, although there seems to be a strong genetic component. The disorder also seems to be linked to structural abnormalities in several regions of the brain.

©1998-2009 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Terms of use.

You'll probably first see your child's pediatrician or family doctor, who will likely refer your child to a mental health expert, such as a child psychologist or psychiatrist.

Being well prepared can help you make the most of your appointment. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what to expect from your doctor.

What you can do

• Write down any symptoms you've noticed in your child, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
• Write down key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes.
• Make a list of any medications, as well as any vitamins or supplements, that your child is taking.
• Ask a family member or friend to join you and your child for the appointment, if possible. Sometimes it can be difficult to soak up all the information provided during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
• Write down questions to ask your doctor.

Preparing a list of questions ahead of time will help save time for the things you want to discuss most. List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For Asperger's, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

• What is likely causing my child's behavior?
• Are there other possible causes?
• What kinds of tests does my child need?
• Will he or she outgrow this condition?
• What treatments can help?
• Are there any specialized programs available to help educate my child regarding social skills?
• What should I tell his or her school?
• What are the alternatives to the primary approach that you're suggesting?
• Would changes in diet help?
• Should I see a specialist?
• Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take home with me? What Web sites do you recommend visiting?

In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment anytime you don't understand something.

What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions, including:

• What specific behaviors prompted your visit today?
• When did you first notice these symptoms in your child?
• Have these behaviors been continuous, or occasional?
• Does anything seem to improve your child's symptoms?
• What, if anything, appears to worsen your child's symptoms?
• When did your child first crawl? Walk? Say his or her first word?
• Does your child have close friends?
• What are some of your child's favorite activities? Is there one that he or she favors?
• Have you noticed a change in his or her level of frustration in social settings?

©1998-2009 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Terms of use.

Because Asperger's syndrome varies widely in severity and signs, making a diagnosis can be difficult. If your child shows some signs of Asperger's syndrome, your doctor may suggest a comprehensive assessment by a team of professionals.

This evaluation will likely include observing your child and talking to you about your child's development. You may be asked about your child's social interaction, communication skills and friendships. Your child may also undergo a number of tests to determine his or her level of intellect and academic abilities. Tests may assess your child's abilities in the areas of speech, language and visual-motor problem solving. Tests can also identify other emotional, behavioral and psychological issues.

Unfortunately, some kids with Asperger's syndrome are first misdiagnosed with another problem, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or obsessive-compulsive disorder, possibly because the symptoms of some conditions are similar to those of Asperger's. Additionally, other conditions may coexist with Asperger's, and this may delay the diagnosis.

©1998-2009 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Terms of use.

The core signs of Asperger's syndrome can't be cured. But most children benefit from early specialized interventions that focus on behavior management and social skills training. Your doctor can help identify resources in your area that may work for your child. Options may include:

• Communication and social skills training. Children with Asperger's syndrome may be able to learn the unwritten rules of socialization and communication when taught in an explicit and rote fashion, much like the way students learn foreign languages. Children with Asperger's syndrome may also learn how to speak in a more natural rhythm, as well as how to interpret communication techniques, such as gestures, eye contact, tone of voice, humor and sarcasm.
• Cognitive behavior therapy. This general term encompasses many techniques aimed at curbing problem behaviors, such as interrupting, obsessions, meltdowns or angry outbursts, as well as developing skills like recognizing feelings and coping with anxiety. Cognitive behavior therapy usually focuses on training a child to recognize a troublesome situation — such as a new place or an event with lots of social demands — and then select a specific learned strategy to cope with the situation.
• Medication. There are no medications to treat Asperger's syndrome. But some medications may improve specific symptoms that may be complicating his or her progress — such as anxiety, depression or hyperactivity — that can occur in many children with Asperger's syndrome.

©1998-2009 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Terms of use.

Asperger's syndrome can be a difficult, lonely disorder — both for affected children and their parents. By nature, the disorder brings difficulties socializing and communicating with your child. It may also mean fewer play dates and birthday invitations and more stares at the grocery store from people who don't understand that a child's meltdown is part of a disability, not the result of "bad parenting."

Luckily, as this disorder gains widespread recognition and attention, there are more and more sources of help. Here are a few suggestions:

• Learn about the disorder. Just 25 years ago, many pediatricians hadn't heard of Asperger's syndrome. Now, there are numerous books and Web sites dedicated to the disorder. Do some research so that you better understand your child's challenges and the range of services in your school district and state that may help.
• Learn about your child. The signs and symptoms of Asperger's syndrome vary for each child, and young children have a hard time explaining their behaviors and challenges. But, with time and patience, you'll learn which situations and environments may cause problems for your child and which coping strategies work. Keeping a diary and looking for patterns may help.
• Find a team of trusted professionals. You'll need to make important decisions about your child's education and treatment. Find a team of teachers and therapists who can help evaluate the options in your area and explain the federal regulations regarding children with disabilities.
• Help others help your child. Most children with Asperger's syndrome have no visible sign of disability, so you may need to alert coaches, relatives and other adults to your child's special needs. Otherwise, a well-meaning coach may spend time lecturing your child on "looking at him while he's talking" — something that can be very difficult for a child with Asperger's syndrome.
• Help your child turn his or her obsession into a passion. The tendency to fixate on a particular narrow topic is one of the hallmarks of Asperger's syndrome, and it can be annoying to those who must listen to incessant talk about the topic every day. But a consuming interest can also connect a child with Asperger's syndrome to schoolwork and social activities. In some cases, kids with Asperger's syndrome can even turn their childhood fascination into a career or profession.

©1998-2009 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Terms of use.