Asperger Syndrome

The spotlight on Asperger Syndrome has been widening with recent attention from mainstream media. This neurological condition, which is often misdiagnosed as Attention Deficit Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or high-functioning autism, is increasingly being recognized, and now effects an estimated 10 million children and adults in the United States alone. Unlike the case for autistic people, Asperger sufferers have normal or above normal language, intelligence, and cognition and are often seen as brilliant - verbose with formal speech patterns and superior memory - but they have odd interests, unusual reactions to the environment, inflexibility in routines, poor interaction with people, and inability to form age-appropriate relationships. There is no known cure, but as Lawton explains in this work, there are approaches that can reduce or remove the symptoms. While traditional medications are the only option for some sufferers, there are those who can benefit largely from the natural treatments offered by herbal medicine, diet and nutrition, homeopathy, and amino acids. These drug-free approaches also reduce the physical problems common to Asperger suffers, including stomachaches and headaches to irritable bowel syndrome, says Lawton, whose own son was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome several years ago.