Asperger’s Syndrome

Asperger’s Syndrome is a neurobiological disorder that results in behavioural characteristics that are best described as “odd” or “eccentric”. The cause is not

known although there appears to be a strong genetic component as it has a high

heritability rate. There is no cure. There are, however interventions that can yield positive results.

History

Dr. Hans Asperger (Austrian pediatrician and psychiatrist) observed 4 children in his practice in 1944 who had difficulty integrating socially. The intelligence of these children appeared to be normal, however they lacked nonverbal communication skills. Dr. Asperger described it as a “condition primarily marked by social isolation”.

Characteristics

• –  average to superior intelligence
• –  perceived by others as being “odd”,” eccentric”
• –  socially naive – often taken advantage of, rejected or bullied
• –  unaware of other’s thoughts, feelings or perceptions resulting in appearing rudeor inconsiderate
• –  difficulty in initiating & maintaining close relationships & friends despitedesiring to do so
  -problems reading non verbal or social cues and understanding social rules

• –  inappropriate or insensitive social behaviours
• –  will play with others but “on their terms” or not at all
• –  literal interpretation of communication from others -eg. “I have a splittingheadache”
• –  speech is used primarily for delivering information or requesting something (not as away of interacting socially)
• –  inability to small talk – one sided conversations (centered on self)
• –  long winded about their favourite interests
• –  may sound like a “little professor”
• –  uses repetitive phrases
• –  detail oriented – may miss the “big picture”
• –  superior ability to focus on favoured areas of interests
• –  difficulty using language in a social context
• –  exaggerated emotional response to situations (eg. temper tantrums, crying)
• –  hyper sensitive to sensory input ( sound, sight, smells, touch)
• –  difficulty “connecting the dots” of social life
• –  rigid, inflexible & rule bound behaviours
• –  often anxious and/or depressed
• –  poor organizational skills
• –  clumsy or awkward motor skills
• –  dyslexia, writing problems

Asperger’s Syndrome as described by the mother of a child with the disorder:

“These kids are not unconnected. They’re not unemotional. They just don’t have the innate ability to pick up cues from the environment like most children. They have a hard time reading voice tones, facial expressions and abstract language.”

Diagnosis

There are no “hard” diagnostic tests for Asperger’s. The diagnosis is made through observation and reports from parents, teachers, etc. The majority of children with Asperger’s are diagnosed between the ages of 5 and 11 although a diagnosis may not be made until adulthood.

Treatment

There is no cure for AS, however there are interventions that can yield positive

What Can a Parent Do?

results:

– parental education
– teacher education
– behavioural approaches
– training of social skills (IBI, ABA)
– medications for hyperactivity, irritability, aggression,

compulsions, anxiety, depression

1. have your child evaluated by a qualified medical doctor
2. develop an Individual Education Plan (IEP) with your child’s school
3. ensure ALL adults working with your child are educated about Asperger’s

Syndrome
4. think about “where do you want your child to be in the next 5, 10, 15 years”

and plan and teach him/her the required skills

Individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome perceive the world differently and many behaviours that seem odd, unusual or inappropriate are due to neurological differences and are NOT the result of intentional rudeness or bad behaviour and are most certainly not the result of bad parenting