Asperger Syndrome Tied To Low Cortisol Levels

caffiend666 writes "According to a Health Day article, low levels of a stress hormone may be responsible for the obsession with routine and dislike for new experiences common in children with a certain type of autism. 'This study suggests that children with AS may not adjust normally to the challenge of a new environment on waking,' study researcher David Jessop, from the University of Bristol, said in the news release. 'This may affect the way they subsequently engage with the world around them.'"

Re:I have 5 mod points that I won't use here.

[Saxophonist]

There is some correlation between child abuse and Borderline Personality Disorder [mhsanctuary.com], which can have some similarities in outward symptoms to autism spectrum disorders. Could that be what you are seeing? Perhaps not, but it might be worth considering.

Re:Prednisone

[w0mprat]

Prednisone is a artificial corticosteroid, and corticosteroids are the family of adrenal drugs, corsitol included. So it's plausible since I understand this drug is used to supress immune system and adrenal function?

as a parent of a 15 yo son with Aspergers...

[Anonymous Coward]

...does this ever fit.

Anecdotally--

He is on a medication but boy is that first 15 minutes after waking up every morning freaking difficult.

I can relate to him usually quite well as I'm sure I'm somewhere on the A.S.D. line (never diagnosed though).

It is my job in the morning, every morning, to attempt to calmly wake him up and get his one pill into his system ASAP so he can get his routine started. ... not that the rest of the day is a cakewalk.

Re:Prednisone

[Atrox666]

I don't know this seems like the opposite to my experience. I get no real stimulus from people talking other than irritation. It's like the buzzing of an insect. I have to force myself to fulfil the minimum requrements of human interaction and it never feels like it's worth it. Even getting laid usually is more trouble than it's worth. That being said I wouldn't want to be "cured" as stunted abilities were compensated for by other abilities that were enhanced. My life's work depends on those enhanced abilities. I would like to soften it a fair bit. "it's no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society" -Krishnamurti As far as the people who say it's a fake disease I can asure you that the Dis-Ease in my life is quite real. The medical reasons given however for my issues may be total crap.