Understanding Asperger's Syndrome

Asperger's Syndrome is a little known disease that has been misdiagnosed throughout the years, and is an autism spectrum condition that has left many researchers puzzled. In the past, those who suffered with the condition were written off as mentally ill at worst, or socially inept and rude at best. Because of the wide variety of symptoms, no two children with Asperger's are alike.
 Parents will first notice the symptoms of Asperger's syndrome when their child starts preschool and begins to interact with other children.
Children with Asperger's may not pick up on social cues and may lack inborn social skills, such as being able to read others' body language, start or maintain a conversation, and take turns talking. They may also dislike any changes in routines and appear to lack empathy.
Furthermore, Asperger's children may be unable to recognize subtle differences in speech tone, pitch, and accent that alter the meaning of others' speech. Therefore, the child may not understand a joke or may take a sarcastic comment literally. Likewise, his or her speech may be flat and difficult to understand because it lacks tone, pitch, and accent.
One curious symptom is the child may have a formal style of speaking that is advanced for his or her age. For example, the child may use the word "beckon" instead of "call" or the word "return" instead of "come back."

Perhaps the most notable detail is that a child will be preoccupied with only one or few interests, which he or she may be very knowledgeable about. Many children with Asperger's syndrome are overly interested in parts of a whole or in unusual activities, such as designing houses, drawing highly detailed scenes, or studying astronomy. They may show an unusual interest in certain topics such as snakes, names of stars, or dinosaurs.
A child with Asperger's may talk a lot, usually about a favorite subject, and one-sided conversations may be common. Internal thoughts are often verbalized.
However - doctors say that a child with one or two of these symptoms does not necessarily have Asperger's syndrome. To be diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, a child must have a combination of these symptoms and severe trouble with social situations. A diagnosis for the condition, then, can only be done by a trained professional.
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Do you think you have Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia

You hurt all over, and you frequently feel exhausted. Even after numerous tests, your doctor can't find anything specifically wrong with you. If this sounds familiar, you may have fibromyalgia.  

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain in your muscles, ligaments and tendons, as well as fatigue and multiple tender points — places on your body where slight pressure causes pain.

Fibromyalgia occurs in about 2 percent of the population in the United States. Women are much more likely to develop the disorder than are men, and the risk of fibromyalgia increases with age. Fibromyalgia symptoms often begin after a physical or emotional trauma, but in many cases there appears to be no triggering event.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia can vary, depending on the weather, stress, physical activity or even the time of day.  The pain associated with fibromyalgia is described as a constant dull ache, typically arising from muscles. To be considered widespread, the pain must occur on both sides of your body and above and below your waist.

Coping and support

Besides dealing with the pain and fatigue of fibromyalgia, you may also have to deal with the frustration of having a condition that's often misunderstood. In addition to educating yourself about fibromyalgia, you may find it helpful to provide your family, friends and co-workers with information.

It's also helpful to know that you're not alone. Organizations such as the Arthritis Foundation and the American Chronic Pain Association provide educational classes and support groups. These groups can often provide a level of help and advice that you might not find anywhere else. They can also help put you in touch with others who have had similar experiences and can understand what you're going through.

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