Most likely, no one at this point will be in a position to suggest Asperger's Syndrome as a viable explanation of your child's way of being. So far, you have some questions and concerns about what you are seeing in your child. A place to start might be to compare what you know to be true of your child's development with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual definition of Asperger's Syndrome. As you do so, please exercise caution. Specific symptoms in isolation of one another do not a syndrome make.

Say your child has a particularly strong affection for watching the same video every day throughout the day and is interested in watching nothing other than this particular video. This may seem to fall under the category of intense preoccupation with an interest. But if you come up short in checking the remaining diagnostic criteria because your child demonstrates no other symptoms of Asperger's, then he simply has a very strong preference for that one video that may pass once he gets his fill of it.

If you are discovering that the criteria for Asperger's might have application for your child, then you are faced with a decision about seeking a diagnosis. You may not wish to pursue a formal diagnosis at this time for one or more of the following reasons:

• You don't believe in labeling people's diversity.

• You'd rather wait to see if anything changes as your child continues developing.

• You don't feel that your child's differences are causing detriments in his life significant enough to obtain a diagnosis.

• You are scared or in denial of the situation.

• You are worried that your child will be stigmatized or singled out.

The benefits of obtaining a diagnosis may be:

• Being able to put a name and a framework to a collection of symptoms and traits instead of perceiving it all as your child's “bad behavior” or somehow your fault

• Accessing a system of services and supports designed to give your child a head start in life as early as possible

• Being able to educate family, friends, and neighbors about your child's unique way of being when appropriate

• Being able to educate your child in order to promote self-awareness and self-advocacy, as needed

• Understanding and appreciating sooner your child's lifelong unique qualities, personal needs, and talents

Adults with Asperger's Syndrome who were never diagnosed as children often ask, “Would it have been helpful to have had the diagnosis as a child?” We are still a long way from effectively understanding Asperger's in a concerted, global sense, but having this knowledge early on in the lives of many adults might have aided them to:

• Experience greater success in school

• Be better prepared for higher education, or trade school

• Be better able to initiate and sustain relationships

• Be better equipped to locate viable employment opportunities that best match skills and talents

• Avoid struggles with mental health issues, or be better prepared to care for one's mental health

• Be better prepared to avoid situations in which one may be unwittingly exploited

Recently, a group of preteens with Asperger's was asked a question: “Is it helpful to know you have Asperger's?” They were unanimous in explaining that it was helpful and cleared up a lot of misperceptions and misinterpretations people had about why they do what they do.