Asperger's Syndrome and the Problem of Obsessions in Children

Asperger's syndrome is characterized by the development of a marked interest in a certain area. Rather than being a hobby, this interest becomes an obsession and can have a detrimental effect on the child and those around him. In his book, The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome, Tony Attwood discusses some of the problems that arise and how to handle them.

What Problems Accompany the Obsessions of a Child with Asperger's Syndrome?

While there are positive aspects of having a special interest, there are also many problems. These are normally apparent to the parents of the child with Asperger's syndrome and they are the ones who have to help contain the interest within appropriate boundaries. Here are some of the common problems that arise:

• Insatiable desire to learn more about the interest - to the detriment of school work and family life
• Demands for items that relate to the interest and angry outbursts if these items are not supplied
• Inability and lack of desire to socialize as all energy is directed at the interest
• Monopolizing conversations to talk about the interest
• Incessant talking about the interest and not allowing for interaction in these monologues
• Theft of money or items to further the interest
• Teasing and bullying by peers who do not understand their obsessional behavior

How to Handle the Special Interests of a Child with Asperger's Syndrome

While there are general guidelines on how to manage an obsession, each child and obsession are different and parents, teachers and health professionals need to work out a system that is best for the child in question. The main aim should be to reduce the amount of time spent on the interest and ensure that it is safe for the child:

• Controlling access: A child is prone to spending an excessive amount of time on his interest and this needs to be controlled. A couple of hours of interest time can be bartered against completed homework, a visit with a friend or a game with the family. While this may be met with resistance, the child will comply if it means he will have a chunk of time to concentrate on his interest.
• Use a clock to time sessions.
• Engage the child in conversation about the interest and teach them to listen to the other person instead of indulging in a monologue.
• Set boundaries if the obsession involves any possible danger. This can include interest in firearms where a child may want to try shooting, or public transport where a child may set off unaccompanied on a journey.
• Work on maximizing the positive aspects of the interest.

While children with Asperger's syndrome often have obsessional interests, it is possible to channel these into a manageable form . Part of this process involves teaching them how to interact and socialize in an appropriate manner. While the interests can cause problems, they do have a positive side and may lead to employment opportunities in years to come.

Reference:

Attwood, Tony, The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2006