If we can only get rid of memories of traumatic events maybe it can diminish distress especially among our children and young adults. Such is not the case because we are not programmed to do so. Remembering what transpired on 9/11 can be a lot more difficult and painful especially among those who lost a loved one or for those who were directly impacted by that tragic day when terrorists struck fear and anxiety into the hearts of people from all corners of the globe. Moreover, media coverage commemorating the events in a detailed manner may heighten distress or indifference among our children.
So the question is, how can parents explain something so gruesome and traumatic to their children?  Parents can’t shield their children from acquiring information about what is so significant about 9/11. It is a thing of the past but it definitely left an indelible mark in history and on the eight anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center, as publication of news and photos of that tragic day find their way to our newspapers, television screens and the Internet, parents are dumbfounded about the manner on how they can explain to their children this hard and complex subject.
There are certain tips which may help all concerned parents on this particular issue. The first thing to do is to try to relax while discussing the topic. You have to consider the fact that talking about violent acts won’t increase your children’s fear any more than harbor anxiety about the unknown. Try to determine and feel what your child already knows about the event so you can somehow gauge the impact of the information you want to discuss thereby establishing the parameters of the subsequent conversation.
Try to be as transparent and honest as possible although you can opt to refrain from providing detailed information.  Children are generally smart, they can sense when they are being lied to or when you’re withdrawing something from them. It’s not appropriate to eliminate your children’s fear but a thorough explanation should be given to assure them somehow that there is nothing to be afraid of as government authorities are trying to find ways to protect the nation’s citizenry against another horrible event. Just make sure that your children are interested about the flow of the conversation, otherwise it’s better to drop the topic. Your children may not yet want or need to discuss the event at this particular period but they will certainly bring it out sooner or later.
Parents ought to be very careful when discussing traumatic events to their children and young adults especially those with acts of terrorism such as 9/11 because you are not certain how they will interpret and react on such sensitive subject matters.

Many people suspect that some of the most brilliant minds that the world has ever seen have the symptoms of Asperger’s Syndrome. People like Isaac Newton, Lewis Carroll, Einstein, Marie Curie, Mozart, Picasso, van Gogh and US President Thomas Jefferson are suspected of having symptoms of Asperger’s syndrome, the high functioning end of autism spectrum disorder. Bill Gates and the brilliant engineers from NASA also display certain features of AS. But we don’t really need to go as far as we think to meet real life “geniuses”.

Because autism spectrum disorders are diagnosed on the basis of abnormalities and delays in language development and social skills as well as the presence of repetitive non-functional rituals and abnormal behaviors, there can be disagreement amongst health workers as to the precise diagnostic criteria and how the different disorders within the group are defined and classified.

There are however, certain criteria that have to be present in order for a team of doctors, psychologist, speech therapist, occupational therapist and social worker to diagnose Asperger’s syndrome. These are, two symptoms of impaired social interactivity and one symptom of restricted and repetitive behavior and delay and abnormalities in language development.

There are also tests that are available that can approximate the autism quotient of individuals. But the primary method used in the diagnoses of Asperger’s syndrome are observation of the child and interviews. Brain imaging has also been used to some extent.

There are still many questions that are unanswered when it comes to Asperger’s Syndrome, thats why a lot of scientists are doing extensive research in every possible field. One study is using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to show how abnormalities in particular areas of the brain cause changes in brain function that result in the symptoms of AS. Other studies include a clinical trial testing the effectiveness of an anti-depressant in individuals with AS and HFA who exhibit high levels of obsessive/ritualistic behavior and a long-range study to collect and analyze DNA samples from a large group of children with AS and their families to identify genes and genetic interactions that are linked to AS.

Also, many organizations have been established to help the sufferers and their families. They mostly disseminate information and provide links to professional help. here is a short list of websites that can be helpful.

MAAP Services for Autism, Asperger’s, and PDD

http://www.maapservices.org/

Autism Society of America

http://www.autism-society.org/

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/

Autism Network International (ANI)

http://ani.autistics.org/

Autism Research Institute (ARI)

http://www.autismresearchinstitute.com/

Asperger syndrome (AS) is a developmental disorder that is characterized by obsessive interest in a single object or topic, repetitive routines or rituals, peculiarities in speech and language, socially and emotionally inappropriate behavior that results in an inability to interact successfully with peers, problems with non-verbal communication and clumsy and uncoordinated motor movements.

The syndrome mostly affects boys and are diagnosed during the the elementary school years because the symptoms of the disorder become more obvious at this point. School children who have Asperger’s Syndrome often have a difficult time in school because they lack the social skills and are just “weird”. While most of them have average to above average I.Q’s, they do not posses the social and emotional skills needed to deal with people in general. They are also prone to bullying and manipulation by other kids because of their apparent gullibility.

The causes, diagnosis and treatment for Asperger’s Syndrome are currently at a very early stage and lacks scientific certainty, though there are researches and studies being conducted. But what is certain is that Asperger’s Syndrome is a lifelong but stable condition and the prognosis for sufferers are relatively good compared to other autistic individuals.

Adults with AS are productively employed in a wide variety of fields, including the learned professions. They do best, however, in jobs with regular routines or occupations that allow them to work in isolation, this is why it is sometimes called as “the geek syndrome”. This rigid attention to detail, isolation and overall “geekyness” is also why some of the best computer programmers and engineers probably have AS.

The most obvious negative effect of Aspergers Syndrome involves the inability of the sufferer to form meaningful or even simple relationships with “new people”. They lack the skills to form bonds because of the fact that they cannot empathize or read and understand peoples facial expressions and body language. They also do not perceive other peoples emotions, which makes it hard for them to relate and or even have a short conversation without sounding like a self obsessed know it all who keeps on ranting about things that are not interesting. They tend to talk at people rather than talk with them.

Though there is no current cure for Asperger’s Syndrome, there are treatment options that focuses on an individuals specific symptom pattern. Medication is an option though most children do not require any. The most effective form of treatment is psychotherapy using different approaches such as cognitive-behavioral therapy. The best time to start therapy is as soon as the the child is diagnosed with the syndrome, AS children do best in structured learning situations in which they learn problem-solving and social skills as well as academic subjects.