Asperger syndrome is also known as Asperger’s Disorder or simply Asperger’s.
What are the key symptoms?
Each person with Asperger syndrome is a unique individual with unique strengths and weaknesses. For example, some people with Asperger syndrome have extremely good memories or are good at paying attention to detail. However most people with Asperger syndrome also have a lack social skills, difficulty with social relationships, poor coordination and concentration, and a restricted range of interests.
Unlike people with other forms of ASD, people with Asperger syndrome have average or above average intelligence and adequate language skills in the areas of vocabulary and grammar. Even so people with Asperger syndrome may have difficulty understanding the subtleties used in conversation, such as irony and humor.
Additional symptoms
In addition to the formal diagnostic criteria, people with Asperger syndrome, like others on the autism spectrum, often display one or more of the following characteristic symptoms
Unusual responses to sensory stimuli. For example, some people with Asperger syndrome may be hypersensitive to specific sounds, textures or colours. Others may be oblivious to discomfort or pain.
Behavioural disturbances. For example, some people with Asperger syndrome may be hyperactive. Others may be aggressive towards others or may harm themselves.
Cognitive characteristics. People with Asperger syndrome are of average or higher than average intelligence but struggle to think abstractly or symbolically.
Diagnosis
The DSM-IV criteria by which Asperger Syndrome is diagnosed are presented below.
A. Qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least two of the following:
(1) marked impairment in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, body postures, and gestures to regulate social interaction
(2) failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level
(3) 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)
(4) 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:
(1) encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus
(2) apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals
(3) stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g., hand or finger flapping or twisting, or complex whole-body movements)
(4) 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 word 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 in social interaction), and curiosity about the environment in childhood.
F. Criteria are not met for another specific Pervasive Developmental Disorder, or Schizophrenia.
Co-morbidities
Individuals with Asperger Syndrome are more likely to have medical conditions such as dyspraxia or epilepsy.
Individuals with Asperger Syndrome vary enormously but many will find it hard to cope with the problems that life throws at them. Without timely and informed help and support there can be potentially devastating consequences for the person concerned and those around them. These may include extreme anxiety and distress, injury, withdrawal and exclusion.
Due to the complex and uneven nature of their difficulties it is vital for them to have sensitive and appropriate help and support through school and at university, work and other key stages. Without such support they are vulnerable and likely to lead stressful, socially isolated and disadvantaged lives.
Personal Accounts
Charlie Edwards. Charlie Edwards explains what it is like to be a person with Asperger syndrome.
the Goth. A man with higher functioning autism explains how he finds it difficult to understand other people.
PJ. A man with Asperger syndrome talks about living with the condition.
Tim Page. Parallel play: A lifetime of restless isolation explained. Article published in the New Yorker , August 20, 2007
Various. Selection of personal views of Asperger syndrome from Beardon, L and Edmonds, G. (2007). ASPECT Consultancy Report. A national report on the needs of adults with Asperger syndrome. Sheffield: Sheffiled Hallam University.
William A personal account of the difficulties faced by someone with Asperger syndrome by his mother.
Research
Asperger, H. (1979). Problems of infantile autism. Communication 13, 45-52.
Barnhill, G.P. et al. (2000). Parent, teacher, and self-report of problem and adaptive Behaviors in children and adolescents with Asperger syndrome. Assessment for Effective Intervention, 25(2), pp. 147-167. Read Full item
Baron-Cohen, S. et al. (1998). Does autism occurs more often in families of physicists, engineers, and mathematicians?. Autism, 2, pp. 296-301. Read Abstract
Bennett T. et al. (2007). Differentiating autism and Asperger syndrome on the basis of language delay or impairment. J Autism Dev Disord, [Epub ahead of print]. Read Abstract
Berney, T. (2004).Asperger syndrome from childhood into adulthood. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, 10, pp. 341-351. Read Full item
Bishop, D (1989), Autism, Asperger’s syndrome and Semantic-Pragmatic Disorder: where are the boundaries? British Journal of Disorders of Communication 24, p.107-121. Read Abstract
Bowman EP. (1988). Asperger’s syndrome and autism: the case for a connection. Br J Psychiatry, 152, pp. 377-382. Read Abstract
Burgoine E, Wing L. (1983). Identical triplets with Asperger’s syndrome. Br J Psychiatry, 143, pp. 261-265. Read Abstract
Carpenter L.A., Soorya L., Halpern D. (2009). Asperger’s syndrome and high-functioning autism. Pediatric Annals 38(1), pp.30-35.
Chodirker B., Chudley A. (Epub ahead of print). Routine genetic testing for Asperger syndrome. Genet Med.
Clarke J., van Amerom G. (2008). Asperger’s syndrome: differences between parents’ understanding and those diagnosed. Social Work in Health Care, 46(3), pp. 85-106. Read Abstract
Cox AD. (1991). Is Asperger’s syndrome a useful diagnosis? Arch Dis Child, 66(2), pp. 259-262.
Ehler, S. et al. (1997) Asperger syndrome, autism and attention disorders: A comparative study of the cognitive profiles of 120 children. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 38, pp. 207-217. Read Abstract
Eisenmajer R. et al. (1996). Comparison of clinical symptoms in autism and Asperger’s disorder. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry, 35(11), pp. 1523-1531. Read Abstract
Freeman B.J.; Cronin P.; Candela P. (2002). Asperger Syndrome or Autistic Disorder? The Diagnostic Dilemma. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 17(3), pp. 145-151. Read Abstract
Attwood T. (1998) Asperger’s syndrome: A guide for parents and professionals. London Jessica Kingsley Publications.
Beardon, L and Edmonds, G. (2007). ASPECT Consultancy Report. A national report on the needs of adults with Asperger syndrome. Sheffield: Sheffiled Hallam University. Read Executive summary (PDF document), Full report (PDF document).
Bishop, D. V. M. (2000). What’s so special about Asperger Syndrome?: The need for further exploration of the borderlands of autism. In A. Klin, F. R. Volkmar, & S. S. Sparrow (eds.), Asperger Syndrome, New York: The Guilford Press.
Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders. (2002). Asperger’s disorder. Farmington Hills, MI: Thomson Gale. Read Full item
Frith, U. (1991). Autism and Asperger syndrome. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Klin, A., Volkmar, F., and Sparrow, S. (Eds.) (2000). Asperger Syndrome. New York: Guilford Press.
Klin, A, McPartland, J and Volkmar. Asperger syndrome. IN Volkmar, F.R. et al. (2005). Handbook of autism and pervasive developmental disorders. London: Wiley. (Third edition, 2 volumes.)
London Contact Group. (2006). Asperger syndrome: what it means to us. London: National Autistic Society. Read Full item
MedlinePlus. (2006). Asperger Syndrome. Bethseda, MD: National Library of Medicine. Read Full item
Morris, R. and Wade, P. (2008). Aspergers for professionals: A guide for professional people who work with individuals who have Asperger syndrome. Victoria, BC: Trafford Publishing.
National Autistic Society. (200?). What is Asperger syndrome? London: NAS. Read Full item
National Autistic Society. (200?). What is Asperger syndrome? (Easy read version). London: NAS. Read Full item
National Autistic Society. (200?). What is Asperger syndrome and how will it affect me? London: NAS. Read Full item
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (2006). Asperger Syndrome factsheet. Bethseda, MD: NINDS. Read Full item
Ozonoff, S., Dawson, G. and McPartland, J. (2002). A parent’s guide to Asperger syndrome and high functioning autism. New York: Guildford Press.
There is no cure for Asperger Syndrome but there are some interventions which can help decrease the symptoms. There are also some interventions which can help with related problems, such as anxiety or self harm.
Please click on the links below to find out more about specific interventions for people with Asperger syndrome we have evaluated/are in the process of evaluating .
You may also like to look at the much bigger alphabetic list of interventions. Please note: Many of the interventions on this list have yet to be studied scientifically
You may also like to look at a list of intervention research studies published in peer reviewed journals which include individuals with Asperger syndrome. Please note:The fact that an intervention is on this list does not necessarily mean that it has been proven to be effective for individuals with Asperger syndrome.
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