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Asperger’s Syndrome
Updated on Monday, November 12, 2007
Aspergers Syndrome was just recently recognized in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders for the first time in 1994. As the awareness of the disorder increases, so have the number of diagnosis. Asperger Syndrome is an Autism Spectrum Disorder also called Pervasive Developmental Disorder. It is often referred to as "high functioning autism."
People with Aspergers syndrome have normal intelligence and language development, but may have some autistic traits or behaviors. These individuals have advanced vocabularies, yet often struggle to interpret language taking it literally. Those with Aspergers may lack social skills, have difficulty organizing and making transitions, engage in obsecessive behaviors, and require additional sensory input.
On the otherhand, these students can remember facts, are extememly detail oriented, and tend to excel in one area of interest. The following are a list of signs symptoms that if a child exhibits should be evaluated by a health care professional:
Social Impairments
- Lack of desire to interact
- Inability to interact with others
- A lack of emotional understanding
- Inappropriate social responses
Langauge Peculiarities
- Repetitive Speech
- Robotic Sounding speech
- Impaired Comprehension of Understanding
Below Average Nonverbal Communication
- Fixed Gazes and Staring
- Limited use of Gestures
- Lack of Facial Expressions
- Lack of Awareness of Personal Space
Repetitive and Ritualistic Behaviors
- Repetitive Routine
- Limited Interest
- Preoccupations
It is important to note that no two children with Aspergers will exhibit the exact same skills
and traits. Most people with Aspergers are able to function and conduct normal lives, although, many may perceive their behavior as odd. Like Autism, experts have determined that Aspergers will run the course of a lifetime, though symptoms may come and go. Early intervention comprised of parent training, behavior modification, and other need therapies has proven itself effective in enhancing the outcomes for these individuals.
