There are not a lot of Bollywood films that talk about neurological disorders, or better yet, provide equal representation to characters living with neurological disorders. Among this sea of Hindi movies, Karan Johar’s ‘My Name Is Khan,’ which stars Shah Rukh Khan in the titular role truly stands out.
While Asperger’s is not really explored in the movie, which is more about a man living with Asperger’s Syndrome, the team of OnlyMyHealth spoke to Dr Anupam Jaiswal, Neurologist, King George Medical University, Lucknow.
Understanding Asperger’s Syndrome
According to an overview by the World Health Organisation (WHO), Asperger’s Syndrome is the mildest form of autism, and formerly the two diseases were considered separate from each other. Asperger’s is a neurodevelopmental disorder, which means that it is caused by abnormal brain development and functioning. The symptoms of Asperger’s become apparent by the age of five, and affect almost 1 in 160 children globally.
Listing a set of signs commonly seen in people living with Asperger’s, Dr Jaiswal shared:
- Difficulty being social and communicating with others.
- Engaging in solitary interests and activities.
- Firm thinking and self-belief.
- Being stringent about following rules and schedules.
- Engaging in repetitive behaviour.
Also Read: Asperger's Syndrome Vs Autism: Know The Difference And Symptoms Of Both Conditions
“Individuals living with Asperger’s syndrome have often exhibited better IQ than an average Joe, and hence need special attention,” he added. This is apparent in ‘My Name Is Khan,’ which, albeit stereotypically, portrays Rizwan, Khan’s character as a “genius,” who has an exceptional memory and can fix any machine known to mankind.
Two other incidents in the movie that accurately portray Asperger’s are Rizwan’s constant fiddling with stones to show his repetitive behaviour, and his aversion to the colour yellow, which reflects his sensory sensitivity.
Asperger’s Syndrome Treatment
Unfortunately, Asperger’s does not have a cure. “The only way to treat Asperger’s is through regular interaction and special attention towards the affected person or child,” shared Dr Jaiswal.
Stating a few methods which can be used to improve the condition of the syndrome, he listed:
- Social skills training.
- Developing better communication skills.
- Enrolling your kids in educational institutions that cater to kids with special needs.
- Cognitive behavioural therapy to control emotions and decrease repetitive behaviour.
- Alternative medicines to reduce anxiety and cognitive issues.
Also Read: True Story: How Technology Helped A Mother Raising A Child With Autism
In conclusion, Asperger’s syndrome is the mildest form of autism disorder, marked by an inability to socialise and engaging in repetitive behaviour. Additionally, Dr Jaiswal also mentioned that since this disorder is caused by brain dysfunction, different people with Asperger’s have different behaviours and tendencies towards a situation.