In the 1940’s, an Austrian pediatrician and psychiatrist, Hans Asperger, published a paper describing a pattern of behaviors that he had witnessed and studied in several young boys. The behaviors were autistic-like in nature and included deficiencies in communication and social skills while intelligence and language development were normal or above average. For decades Asperger’s work went unnoticed by the world; it wasn’t until the 1990’s that his work gained international attention. For this reason, little is known about Aspergers Syndrome and few receive a correct diagnosis.
Asperger’s Syndrome is described as being a high-functioning form of autism. People diagnosed with AS usually have a normal IQ and many are gifted in a certain skill or talent. But while they excel intellectually, persons with Aspergers Syndrome tend to struggle socially. They have marked deficiencies in social skills, they do not like change or being away from home, they rigidly stick to routine, and they have trouble understanding many social norms such as personal space.
What Are The Symptoms Of Aspergers Syndrome?
Persons with Asperger’s Syndrome may also exhibit the following:
-
Preoccupation with a single subject or activity.
-
Difficulty reading nonverbal body language and nuances of meaning.
-
Over sensitivity to the environment around them including hyper sensitivity to sounds, smells, tastes, and sights.
-
Being bothered by sounds or lights that are not apparent to others.
-
Extremely rich and diverse vocabulary even at a young age.
-
Perceived as others as being naïve, eccentric, or odd.
-
Excessively clumsiness and prone to injury.
-
Inability to empathize and participate in a conversation led by another.
-
Inappropriate social and emotional behavior.
-
Uncommonly technical or literal in thinking.
Aspergers Syndrome Causes
Since AS has only recently been recognized by professionals and parents, the exact cause of AS and its legitimacy are still topics of great debate. Many feel that Asperger’s Syndrome is in reality a high-functioning form of autism while others think it is better described as a nonverbal learning disability. Aspergers Syndrome is also similar to PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder; Not Otherwise Specified). In some cases, AS is improperly diagnosed as Attention Deficit Disorder or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. The confusion surrounding Asperger’s has left many undiagnosed or with an improper diagnosis. Some are even given unnecessary dual diagnoses such as AS combined with Autism.
Asperger’s Syndrome is related to Autism and thus shares many characteristics with Autism. While Asperger’s Syndrome is linked with Autism and is recognized as being one of the five disorders that make up the Autism spectrum, AS differs from many forms of Autism in that language development is not delayed. In fact, young children with AS often demonstrate superior speech and understanding of words well beyond their years.
The complexity of Asperger’s makes it difficult to make a proper diagnosis. In many cases, diagnosis is not made until adulthood. But there is hope. Behavioral therapy that addresses poor communication skills, obsessive routines, and physical clumsiness has proven extremely beneficial to those with Aspergers Syndrome. And many people with AS lead fulfilling lives, gain employment, and maintain healthy relationships and families.
No related posts.