Asperger
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What Is Asperger Syndrome?
Asperger Syndrome or (Asperger's Disorder) is a neurobiological disorder named for a Viennese
physician, Hans Asperger, who in 1944 published a paper which described a pattern of behaviors in
several young boys who had normal intelligence and language development, but who also exhibited
autistic-like behaviors and marked deficiencies in social and communication skills. In spite of the
publication of his paper in the 1940's, it wasn't until 1994 that Asperger Syndrome was added to the
DSM IV and only in the past few years has AS been recognized by professionals and parents.
Individuals with AS can exhibit a variety of characteristics and the disorder can range from mild to
severe. Persons with AS show marked deficiencies in social skills, have difficulties with transitions or
changes and prefer sameness. They often have obsessive routines and may be preoccupied with a
particular subject of interest. They have a great deal of difficulty reading nonverbal cues (body language)
and very often the individual with AS has difficulty determining proper body space. Often overly sensitive
to sounds, tastes, smells, and sights, the person with AS may prefer soft clothing, certain foods, and be
bothered by sounds or lights no one else seems to hear or see. It's important to remember that the
person with AS perceives the world very differently. Therefore, many behaviors that seem odd or
unusual are due to those neurological differences and not the result of intentional rudeness or bad
behavior, and most certainly not the result of "improper parenting".
By definition, those with AS have a normal IQ and many individuals (although not all), exhibit exceptional
skill or talent in a specific area. Because of their high degree of functionality and their naiveté, those with
AS are often viewed as eccentric or odd and can easily become victims of teasing and bullying. While
language development seems, on the surface, normal, individuals with AS often have deficits in
pragmatics and prosody. Vocabularies may be extraordinarily rich and some children sound like "little
professors." However, persons with AS can be extremely literal and have difficulty using language in a
social context.
At this time there is a great deal of debate as to exactly where AS fits. It is presently described as an
autism spectrum disorder as "having a dash of Autism". Some professionals feel that AS is the same
as High Functioning Autism, while others feel that it is better described as a Nonverbal Learning
Disability. AS shares many of the characteristics of PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder; Not
otherwise specified), HFA, and NLD. It is not at all uncommon for a child who was initially diagnosed
with ADD or ADHD be re-diagnosed with AS. In addition, some individuals who were originally
diagnosed with HFA or PDD-NOS are now being given the AS diagnosis and many individuals have a
dual diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism.
For your information, I've included below a copy of the DSM IV Description.
Diagnostic Criteria For 299.80 Asperger's Disorder
A. Qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least two of the following:
marked impairments in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial
expression, body postures, and gestures to regulate social interaction
failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level
a lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or achievements with other people (e.g.
by a lack of showing, bringing, or pointing out objects of interest to other people)
lack of social or emotional reciprocity ;
B. Restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, and activities, as manifested by
at least one of the following:
encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is
abnormal either in intensity or focus
apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals
stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g., hand or finger flapping or twisting, or complex
whole-body movements)
persistent preoccupation with parts of objects;
C. The disturbance causes clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important
areas of functioning;
D. There is no clinically significant general delay in language (e.g., single words used by age 2 years,
communicative phrases used by age 3 years) ;
E. There is no clinically significant delay in cognitive development or in the development of
age-appropriate self-help skills, adaptive behavior (other than social interaction), and curiosity about the
environment in childhood ;
F. Criteria are not met for another specific Pervasive Developmental Disorder or Schizophrenia .
Asperger Syndrome or (Asperger's Disorder) is a neurobiological disorder named for a Viennese
physician, Hans Asperger, who in 1944 published a paper which described a pattern of behaviors in
several young boys who had normal intelligence and language development, but who also exhibited
autistic-like behaviors and marked deficiencies in social and communication skills. In spite of the
publication of his paper in the 1940's, it wasn't until 1994 that Asperger Syndrome was added to the
DSM IV and only in the past few years has AS been recognized by professionals and parents.
Individuals with AS can exhibit a variety of characteristics and the disorder can range from mild to
severe. Persons with AS show marked deficiencies in social skills, have difficulties with transitions or
changes and prefer sameness. They often have obsessive routines and may be preoccupied with a
particular subject of interest. They have a great deal of difficulty reading nonverbal cues (body language)
and very often the individual with AS has difficulty determining proper body space. Often overly sensitive
to sounds, tastes, smells, and sights, the person with AS may prefer soft clothing, certain foods, and be
bothered by sounds or lights no one else seems to hear or see. It's important to remember that the
person with AS perceives the world very differently. Therefore, many behaviors that seem odd or
unusual are due to those neurological differences and not the result of intentional rudeness or bad
behavior, and most certainly not the result of "improper parenting".
By definition, those with AS have a normal IQ and many individuals (although not all), exhibit exceptional
skill or talent in a specific area. Because of their high degree of functionality and their naiveté, those with
AS are often viewed as eccentric or odd and can easily become victims of teasing and bullying. While
language development seems, on the surface, normal, individuals with AS often have deficits in
pragmatics and prosody. Vocabularies may be extraordinarily rich and some children sound like "little
professors." However, persons with AS can be extremely literal and have difficulty using language in a
social context.
At this time there is a great deal of debate as to exactly where AS fits. It is presently described as an
autism spectrum disorder as "having a dash of Autism". Some professionals feel that AS is the same
as High Functioning Autism, while others feel that it is better described as a Nonverbal Learning
Disability. AS shares many of the characteristics of PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder; Not
otherwise specified), HFA, and NLD. It is not at all uncommon for a child who was initially diagnosed
with ADD or ADHD be re-diagnosed with AS. In addition, some individuals who were originally
diagnosed with HFA or PDD-NOS are now being given the AS diagnosis and many individuals have a
dual diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism.
For your information, I've included below a copy of the DSM IV Description.
Diagnostic Criteria For 299.80 Asperger's Disorder
A. Qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least two of the following:
marked impairments in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial
expression, body postures, and gestures to regulate social interaction
failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level
a lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or achievements with other people (e.g.
by a lack of showing, bringing, or pointing out objects of interest to other people)
lack of social or emotional reciprocity ;
B. Restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, and activities, as manifested by
at least one of the following:
encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is
abnormal either in intensity or focus
apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals
stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g., hand or finger flapping or twisting, or complex
whole-body movements)
persistent preoccupation with parts of objects;
C. The disturbance causes clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important
areas of functioning;
D. There is no clinically significant general delay in language (e.g., single words used by age 2 years,
communicative phrases used by age 3 years) ;
E. There is no clinically significant delay in cognitive development or in the development of
age-appropriate self-help skills, adaptive behavior (other than social interaction), and curiosity about the
environment in childhood ;
F. Criteria are not met for another specific Pervasive Developmental Disorder or Schizophrenia .