Asperger's Disorder

What is Asperger's Disorder?

Asperger syndrome (AS), one of the autistic spectrum disorders, is a pervasive developmental disorder characterized by an inability to understand how to interact socially. AS is commonly recognized after the age of 3. People with high-functioning autism are generally distinguished from those with AS because autism is associated with marked early language delay. Other characteristics of AS include clumsy and uncoordinated motor movements, limited interests or unusual preoccupations, repetitive routines or rituals, speech and language peculiarities, and non-verbal communication problems. Generally, children with AS have few facial expressions. Many have excellent rote memory, and become intensely interested in one or two subjects (sometimes to the exclusion of other topics). They may talk at length about a favorite subject or repeat a word or phrase many times. Children with AS tend to be self-absorbed, have difficulty making friends, and are preoccupied with their own interests. [More Information]

Common Characteristics of Asperger's

Children with these diagnoses exhibit serious and chronic social, behavioral and communcative impairments. Not every child is the same but some characteristics may be:

socially awkward and clumsy in relations with other children and/or adults
naive and gullible
often unaware of others' feelings
unable to carry on a "give and take" conversation
easily upset by changes in routines and transitions
literal in speech and understanding
overly sensitive to loud sounds, lights or odors
fixated on one subject or object
physically awkward in sports

They may have:

unusually accurate memory for details
sleeping or eating problems
trouble understanding things they have heard or read
inappropriate body language or facial expression
unusual speech patterns (repetitive and/or irrelevant remarks)
stilted, formal manner of speaking
unusually loud, high or monotonous voice
tendency to rock, fidget or pace while concentrating [More Information]

Causes of Asperger's

Researchers and mental health experts are still investigating the causes of autism and AS. Many believe that the pattern of behavior that characterizes AS may have many causes. There seems to be a hereditary component to AS, and research indicates that in some cases AS may be associated with other mental health disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder. Researchers are also looking into whether environmental factors that affect brain development might play a role in the condition.

Contrary to the incorrect assumptions some may make about people with the disorder, AS is not caused by emotional deprivation or the way a person has been brought up. Because some of the behaviors exhibited by a person with AS may be seen by others as intentionally rude, many people wrongly assume that AS is the result of bad parenting - it isn't. It's a neurobiological disorder whose causes are not yet fully understood.

Currently, there is no cure for the disorder - children with AS become adults with AS. But many individuals with AS lead full and happy lives, and the likelihood of achieving this is enhanced with appropriate education, support, and resources. [More Information]

Diagnosis of Asperger's

Asperger syndrome can be very difficult to diagnose. Children with AS function well in most aspects of life, and so it may be easy to attribute their strange behaviors to their just being "different."

According to mental health experts, if your child has AS, early intervention is very important. Intervention involving educational and social training, performed while a child's brain is still developing, is highly recommended.

If your child exhibits some of the symptoms and behaviors that are typical of AS, it's critical to seek help from your child's doctor. He or she can refer you to a mental health professional or other specialist for further evaluation.

When a specialist assesses your child, a thorough "psychosocial" evaluation will be performed. This includes a careful history of when symptoms were first recognized, the child's development of motor skills and language patterns, and other aspects of the child's personality and behavior (including favorite activities, unusual habits, preoccupations, etc.).

Particular emphasis is placed on social development, including past and present problems in social interaction and development of friendships. A psychological evaluation and assessment of communication skills are usually conducted to determine your child's strengths and skills that may be deficient. [More Information]

Support Groups

The stress of illness can often be helped by joining a support group where members share common experiences and problems. [Find Local Chapters]