Finding Support for Asperger's Syndrome
Nobody should have to navigate Asperger's syndrome alone, but finding the right kind of support — the kind that actually helps — takes some searching. This article covers the main types of support available and how to access them.
Professional Support
A starting point for many people is finding professionals who understand autism spectrum conditions:
- Psychologists and therapists: For diagnostic assessment and ongoing therapy. Look for those who specifically mention autism spectrum conditions in their practice description.
- Psychiatrists: For managing co-occurring conditions such as anxiety, depression, or ADHD with medication.
- Occupational therapists: Particularly for sensory processing, executive function, and daily living skills.
- Speech-language pathologists: For communication-related support.
Finding professionals with genuine Asperger's expertise can require persistence. Your primary care doctor can provide referrals. Autism advocacy organizations often maintain directories of specialists.
Support Groups
In-person or online support groups bring together people who share the experience of Asperger's or autism. These groups offer something that professional support usually doesn't: the understanding of shared experience. Groups exist for:
- Adults with Asperger's
- Parents of children with Asperger's
- Partners and spouses of people with Asperger's
- Women with Asperger's specifically
- Late-diagnosed adults
Local groups can be found through Autism Speaks, AANE (Asperger/Autism Network), GRASP, and similar organizations. Your local hospital or autism center may also run groups.
Online Communities
The internet has created vibrant communities for people with Asperger's and autism, where the barriers of in-person social interaction are reduced. Online forums, message boards, and communities allow connection at a pace and distance that works for many people on the spectrum.
Autism and Asperger's Organizations
Several organizations provide resources, advocacy, and support:
- AANE (Asperger/Autism Network): Focused specifically on the Asperger's and higher-functioning autism community, with a range of services including support groups and individual consultations.
- The Autism Society of America: Provides local chapters and resources across the country.
- GRASP (Global and Regional Asperger Syndrome Partnership): Runs support groups for adults with autism spectrum conditions.
- ASAN (Autistic Self Advocacy Network): A disability rights organization run by and for autistic people.
For Parents
Parents of children with Asperger's need support too. Parent training programs, parent support groups, and connecting with other parents through school or community organizations can all help. Caregiver burnout is real — taking care of yourself is not selfish; it is necessary.
For Partners
Partners of adults with Asperger's may feel isolated because their experience is not widely understood. The Asperger Syndrome Partners and Individuals Resources, Encouragement, and Support (ASPIRES) group and similar organizations provide specific support for people in this situation.
Reading and Self-Education
Books, blogs, and other resources written by autistic people about their own experiences are some of the most valuable resources available. First-person accounts bridge the gap between clinical description and lived experience in ways that professional literature often cannot. Libraries are a good free starting point; asking an autism organization for reading recommendations is also worthwhile.