MARIE T. ROGERS, PhD., PA

What is Asperger’s Syndrome? Asperger’s Syndrome is a milder variant of Autistic Disorder. Children affected by Asperger’s tend to have difficulty with reciprocal social interaction and non-verbal communication. They also tend to be athletically clumsy, and participate in a specific area of interest that usually leaves them with little extra time for more age appropriate, common interests. All children have times when they experience difficulties. However, for some children, their challenges are more than occasional problems. If your child is experiencing developmental difficulties, having trouble communicating, learning or concentrating, then a consultation with a pediatric psychologist is recommended.
Children and Anxiety Anxiety in children is expected and normal at specific times in development. For example, from approximately 8 months of age to the pre-school years, healthy youngsters may show intense distress (anxiety) when required to separate from their caregivers. Young children may have short-lived fears. These may include fear of the dark, storms, animals, or strangers. Anxious children are often overly tense and may seek a lot of reassurance from others. Also, their worries tend to interfere with activities. Because these children may also be quiet, compliant and eager to please, their difficulties may be missed. Parents should be alert to the signs of severe anxiety so they can intervene early to prevent complications. It is important not to minimize a child's fears. Severe anxiety problems in children can be successfully treated. It is important to seek early treatment, since this can help prevent future difficulties; i.e., failure to reach personal and academic potential, loss of friendships, and feelings of low self-esteem and self-efficacy. If anxieties become severe and begin to interfere with the daily activities of childhood, such as separating from parents, attending school and making friends, parents should consider seeking a mental health evaluation. Although quite common, Anxiety Disorders in children are often misjudged or overlooked, despite them being very treatable conditions with good, persistent mental health care. If anxieties become severe and begin to interfere with the daily activities of childhood, such as separating from parents, attending school and making friends, parents should consider seeking the evaluation and advice of a pediatrician, child and adolescent psychiatrist, and/or pediatric psychologist. Left untreated, these anxiety disorders in children are likely to progress into adulthood.