Asperger's syndrome (also known as Asperger's or Asperger syndrome) is a genetic condition that is part of the autism spectrum disorder which affects children. The autism spectrum disorder is a group of psychological conditions where children affected by these disorders show:

Difficulty interacting with other people

Repetitive behavior

Intense fascination with particular interests or subjects

Uncoordinated movement or clumsiness

Atypical use of language

As such, children who suffer from Asperger's syndrome are physically clumsy, show limited interactivity and communicate poorly with other children or adults, like particular subjects while pointedly abhorring other subjects, repeat movements or actions over and over, are fiercely independent, and use language in unusual ways (e.g., verbosity).

Teachers should know and do the following for their wards who suffer from Asperger's:

1. Treat them as normal pupils as often as possible: A teacher should go out of his or her way to make sure these pupils have a normal classroom life as much as is possible. This should entail a discussion with the entire class on Asperger's syndrome so that they understand why a certain classmate behaves the way he or she does. An effort should be made to protect them from taunts from classmates as it leads to further withdrawal from people or social situations.

2. Encourage the learning of other subjects: Due to the intense fascination with particular subjects that Asperger's syndrome sufferers have, ensuring a wider scope of learning is paramount for a teacher. These pupils should be stimulated or given incentives to learn other subjects whilst allowing the child to indulge in pursuing his or her favorite interests. Such intense liking for a subject such as mathematics usually leads to the development of exceptional proficiency. Children with Asperger's have been known to grow up to become geniuses in particular subjects.

3. Exceptions from school activities when possible and pertinent: It is usually not possible for a child with this syndrome to participate in all aspects of school life. Exceptions should be made when situations in which such a child might do poorly or could expose him or her to ridicule arise. An example would be sports or physical education classes as Asperger's sufferers are usually physically clumsy.

4. Treat them gently but be firm: Children with Asperger's are very independent and a teacher should expect tantrums whenever that child is asked to do what he or she does not like. An effort should be made to calm the child down but giving in to the child's demand is not an option as it creates a basis for future disobedience.

5. Be patient with them and encourage other classmates to be friendly to them: There is no single treatment for Asperger's and while some children grow out of it, others have this syndrome for life. A teacher should understand that the child's actions are the results of a genetic condition and that the child has no control over them. The child's seeming apathy to learning could also be as a result of the side-effects of the medication usually prescribed to help control the condition.

Learn more about this author, Chukwumah Ezeobika.
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