...Asperger's Syndrome Misty Elzey BEH/225 May 27, 2012 Cherie Leffler Asperger's Syndrome Asperger’s syndrome is typically used to describe children who are on the high functioning end of the autistic spectrum. Unlike other disorders on the spectrum, these children typically do not have difficulty with intellectual development or speech. Those individuals with Asperger’s syndrome typically avoid eye contact and appear to have a lack of empathy for others. They may also be preoccupied with certain topics or parts of objects. For example, instead of playing with a matchbox car, a child with Asperger’s may focus on just the tires. These children also dislike any changes in their routines and have difficulty understanding social cues. Delayed motor development, unusual speech, and heightened sensitivity to sounds, textures, and tastes are also symptoms of this condition. These children may also not understand jokes and have a tendency to take everything literally. Asperger’s syndrome is considered a developmental disorder. The incidence rates for this condition are not well established, but it does appear that boys are three to four times more likely to have it than girls are. It is named after Hans Asperger, an Austrian pediatrician who studied four children with the symptoms in 1944. Asperger referred to these children as having autistic psychopathy. He described it as a personality disorder marked by social isolation. His work was published, but not widely known until an...
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...Abstract Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), also known as Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD), is defined as a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. Autism Spectrum Disorder affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their synapses connect and organize, however, how this occurs is not well understood. Autistic Disorder is only one of four recognized disorders in the autism spectrum. The others included in the spectrum are Asperger Syndrome(AS), Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, Rett Syndrome, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS), which is diagnosed when the full set of criteria for Autistic Disorder or Asperger Syndrome are not met. In an article from the American Academy of Pediatrics (2011), over the last twelve years, prevalence of developmental disabilities has increased 17.1% which equals about 1.8 million more children in 2006 through 2008 as compared to a decade earlier. Additionally, prevalence of Autism increased 289.5% while the prevalence of ADHD increased 33.0%. With this increase, more research and studies are being done to learn more about a disorder that is relatively recent. Specifically, the focus of this paper is on Asperger Syndrome, which is defined as a pervasive developmental disorder characterized by deficits in social interaction and motor coordination, and unusual or restricted patterns...
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...Asperger’s Disorder, as it has become known, is a disorder that is a part of the Autism Spectrum Disorder. It is no longer recognized as a separate syndrome under DSM V but instead those who exhibit Asperger’s like syndromes receive a diagnosis of ASD. Those with Asperger’s are sometimes thought of as a “high functioning autistic,” this is because they do not struggle with development the same way others with an ASD diagnosis do. ASD symptoms are divided into three categories: deficiencies in social interaction, communication deficiencies, and restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped behaviors and interests. While children with Asperger’s regularly struggle with social interaction and display repetitive behaviors, they don’t exhibit a delay in their language. In fact, a lot of the time a child with Asperger’s may have above average intelligence. Because of poor social interactions, a child with Asperger’s can go on to develop many other syndromes if he/she doesn’t receive proper therapy. But even with therapy, a child with Asperger’s is more likely to experience anxiety and depressive disorders. These two conditions can have a profound effect on a child’s development and functioning, especially when the same child has an Asperger’s...
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...Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome Michelle Mason South University Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome The comment by Hans Asperger that 'not everything that steps out of line, and thus "abnormal", must necessarily be "inferior", Atwood (2006) truly underlines what Autism and Asperser’s Syndrome is and how it is becoming more and more of a concern in America. This concern of Autism and Asperger’s rises, as more children are being diagnosed everyday. In order to understand the affects of these diseases one must first understand the characteristics and the children that live with Autism. Research on Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome will take the reader into areas that before hand have not been considered by most. Although this disease has been heard of, many have not experienced it in their lives. This paper will explore the emotions of autistic children and parents and the grief of realizing that these children are autistic, how these children learn, the challenges they face and how society views these children through medical and scientific research as well as the author’s personal research and life experiences with this disease. To understand Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome, the reader must first be able to identify and define what it is and what the characteristics are. In the article Autism and Genetic Disorders, Dr. A.L. Reiss (1986) who is head of the Department of Developmental Neuropsychiatry, Kennedy Institute for Handicapped Children, he describes and defines the signs...
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...Asperger’s Syndrome and Acting “…the only person who stands in the way of your achieving something is you.” Temple Grandin, (Developing Talents). What if I told you one out of every 68 people possesses an incurable disorder? ( CDC) Not to worry, it isn’t contagious. This disorder is Autism. Autism Spectrum Disorder(ASD) has many different levels of diagnosis, and persons diagnosed with this disease have varying levels of function as far as cognitive and behavioral symptoms. I am going to be focusing on one of the higher functioning diagnostic levels: Asperger’s syndrome and whether persons diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome can be successful in the performing arts. Asperger’s syndrome is a level of diagnosis on the Autism Spectrum disorder....
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...Comparison and Contrast of Asperger’s and Autism Years ago Autism was a disorder that was rarely talked about or diagnosed and if one had heard of it there were common misconceptions as to what exactly it is. In the present time, with the help of extensive research and people speaking out about Autism, we have come to realize that Autism is more common and it also has different spectrums and levels that vary tremendously. For instance, one of the well-known spectrums of Autism is Asperger’s Disorder, which is sometimes misdiagnosed as ADHD (Attention Deficit Hypertension Disorder) due to the similarities in the behavioral problems that are displayed. Some may think that Asperger’s and Autism go hand in hand and they are both the same in every way, but you would be very much mistaken to believe that. Even though Asperger’s is one autism spectrum disorder it are disorders that share similarities, they are characteristically different in terms of their symptoms, causes, diagnoses, and treatment/coping techniques. Asperger’s and Autism are two disorders who shares similarities and differences in terms of their symptoms. “Autism is a spectrum of complex brain disorders. The disorders result in social, behavioral, and communication problems”. Both disorders aren’t well known and sometimes misdiagnosed as more common disorders, due to the fact that the symptoms from both can often mimic other regressive behavioral and developmental disorders. “Asperger syndrome is a pervasive developmental...
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...Asperger syndrome also known as Asperger’s spectrum disorder is a development disorder related to autism, and characterized by higher than average intellectual ability coupled with impaired social skills and restrictive repetitive patterns of interest and activities. (Autsim Society, 2018) Asperger’s isn’t a learning disability, it has features of autism, nonverbal disabilities, and ADHD. Asperger’s is different from autism because there is no speech delay for someone who has Asperger’s versus someone who has autism. A person who has Asperger’s has a normal or better than expected intelligence however simply struggle with social interaction primarily. A person who has Asperger’s is considered high functioning on the autism spectrum, people...
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...Transition Into Adulthood With Asperger’s Disorder Lisa Ward College of Saint Mary’s Robinson, Curwen and Ryan reviewed studies and put together conclusions on the findings of people with Asperger’s disorder transitioning into adulthood. In their study they were looking at education, living arrangements, employment and relationships. The studies looked at all ages from 3 years to 18 years old, then college age all the way to their 30’s. They also looked at co-morbid disorders and if there was a correlation between them and Asperger’s or if co-morbid disorders went along with Asperger’s. Asperger’s disorder is a Pervasive Developmental Disorder that is characterized by significantly impaired social development, obsessive-compulsive-like behaviors, and typically developing language and self-advocacy skills (Robinson, Curwen and Ryan, 2012). Males are diagnosed more than females. Robinson, Curwen and Ryan said that it is similar to Autistic Disorder, but from other studies I have read Asperger’s would be better grouped as a sub group of Autistic Disorder. I feel this way because they share similar attributes but the main difference is with Autism it can be diagnosed as a child however it is harder to diagnose Asperger’s in a young child. Asperger’s could also be seen as a High Functioning Autistic, this is why when people think of Autism they feel it is better to have Asperger’s than Autism. This makes looking at studies a little more difficult since some...
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...psychologist, published the first official definition of what is now named after his namesake, Asperger’s Syndrome. Similar descriptions fitting those of the disorder existed well before Asperger’s, such as the “Schizoid Personality of Childhood,” which was termed in 1926 by Eva Sucharewa, a Russian neurological assistant. Regardless of its name, the disorder encompasses a part of the autism spectrum, which affects such key aspects of an individual’s life, such as their social interactions, thought processes and minor physical movements. Asperger’s research, despite being conducted and documented during a time of great medical discoveries, did not become widely known...
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...Asperger’s Syndrome is a specific type of Autism that was founded and distinguished from other similar mental health disorders in the 1940’s. Its name origins came from the man who originally discovered it- Hans Asperger. He was a Viennese pediatrician who worked closely with children, specifically males, throughout his practice. He focused on boys who had normal language development and average intelligence, but still had signs of autism. The boys met with other professionals in addition to meeting with Hans, these other professionals categorized them as having a high-functioning form of autism. With testing and written observations, Hans eventually identified these boys as having a type of specified autism called “Asperger Syndrome”. In 1994 it officially became an independent disorder. In 2013, both autism and Asperger’s were placed under the broader category of “Autism Spectrum Disorder”. Autism and Asperger’s are so commonly lumped together because they have many similarities. Children with autism are sometimes perceived as uninterested in others whereas those with Asperger’s have the desire to fit in and interact with peers, they simply don't have the skills. They may be socially awkward, not understand social rules, or show a lack of empathy. They are often unengaged in conversation and don’t make eye contact. Another difference between these two disorders lies in their speech patterns. Children with autism usually have delayed speech or misuse their language while...
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...fluently. We were living with them for a couple of months and during our first few days there, I noticed that it was a bit of a struggle for her parents -- waking her up in the morning and feeding her, as she only ate pizza or pizza rolls at that time. Katrina would throw a fit if someone turned on the light while she was sleeping on the couch in the living room. She wouldn’t brush her teeth or take a shower for days. In that same year, her parents sought professional help and Katrina was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome. At school she claimed that she doesn't have friends, she wouldn’t participate in school activities, and refused do her homework. She has moved from one school to another because of peer...
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...specific subject like cars, bugs or the weather. Speaking in a monotone voice or speaking fast is another symptom of Asperger’s (MayoClinic, 2011). There are approximately 26 to 36 out of 10,000 school-age children that are diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome (Ehlers & Gillberg, 1993). Like classic autism, there is no known factor that causes Asperger’s Syndrome. Though many parents believe there is link autism by childhood vaccinations, there is no documented proof that the two are related (Downs, 2011). Treatment for Asperger’s Syndrome can be reviewed with the four major schools of psychotherapy; structuralism, behaviorism, Gestalt psychology and psychoanalysis. Structuralism is to analyze the mind in simple components and find how the components fit into a complex form, (Britannica, 2011). Behaviorism is a theory that all behaviors are learned through conditioning. Gestalt psychology theory is based off perception, (Britannica, 2011). Psychoanalysis is based on observation of individuals that are unaware of their behavior and emotions, (APSAA, 2011). Individuals living with Asperger’s Syndrome may not benefit from all four major schools of psychotherapy. Behaviorism and psychoanalysis may be the best method of treatment when coping with Asperger’s. Behavior psychotherapy is the clinical application of behavioral principles, (Pomerantz, 2008). Since Asperger’s Syndrome is not a curable disorder, behavioral therapy may help individuals with the disorder. Behavioral therapy...
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...General Psychology Asperger’s Syndrome Tiffany Beach Asperger's syndrome is defined as a developmental disorder that affects a person's ability to socialize and communicate effectively with others. Doctors group Asperger's syndrome with other conditions that are called autistic spectrum disorders or pervasive developmental disorders, these disorders affect social skills and communication. A good thing to keep in mind Asperger’s syndrome is generally thought to be at the milder end of the autistic spectrum disorders. There is no cure for Asperger's syndrome, but if your child has the condition treatment can help him or her learn how to interact more successfully in social situations. Children with Asperger's syndrome usually don't have delays in the development of language skills, but can develop delays in their motor skills. While children with Asperger's syndrome engage in conversation they may feel awkward and lack usual give and take, also showing signs of not wanting to form friendships. Despite all of this a child with Asperger’s syndrome can be quite active. Here are a few questions to help determine if your child may have Asperger’s syndrome: * Does your child engage in one-sided, long-winded conversations and not notice if the listener is listening or trying to change the subject? * Do they show an intense obsession with one or two specific subjects, such as baseball statistics, train schedules, or weather? * Have they appeared to...
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...Living with Asperger's Syndrome Albert Einstein, Bela Bartok, Alan Turing, Bill Gates, Thomas Jefferson and I. Is this a list of Geniuses? People who have changed history? Or are these people who display the symptoms of Asperger's Syndrome? Dr. Tony Attwood, the world-renowned Australian psychologist who is an expert on Asperger's Syndrome, cited them as examples of people with Asperger's during a Conference held at the Palisades Center in Rockland, New York, in October of 1999. Dr. Attwood is a practicing clinical psychologist at MacGregor Specialist Center in Australia, with twenty-five years of experience in the field of Asperger's Syndrome. I had the opportunity to join over 200 other participants at the day-long Asperger's Conference. Participants came from as far away as Africa to assist with organizational tasks and to listen to Dr. Attwood's presentation, as well as his answers to questions from the audience. Dr. Attwood, who has worked with Asperger's patients and lectured around the world, commented, "I have always been impressed by their patience and ingenuity in achieving abilities others acquire without a second thought." Where does the name Asperger's Syndrome come from? Over fifty years ago, a Viennese pediatrician, Hans Asperger, published the first study of youngsters, mostly boys, with a common pattern of abilities and behaviors: lack of empathy, little ability to form friendships, one-sided conversations, intense absorption in a...
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...Married To Asperger’s Introduction We all remember the awkward kid in school who was a loner and unable to sustain friendships. What happens when this kid grows up, will they marry, can they marry, is it possible for this person to have a successful marriage? What barriers are there and how can they be dealt with so an other-centered extravert can have a fulfilling marriage with a self-absorbed person with Asperger’s syndrome? People with Asperger’s syndrome have difficulties in relationships in general. Marriage is probably is the most interpersonal of all relationships. I believe it may be difficult for an extravert to have a fulfilling marriage. Asperger’s syndrome is one of the Autism spectrum disorders that are characterized by abnormalities of social interaction and communication. Those that are diagnosed with the syndrome often associated exhibit restricted behavior or activities such as being fascinated and glued to a certain activity and often have a general delay in the development of their speech (Janzen, 1999). Because of this, there is a very high likelihood that the people diagnosed with this syndrome will have a problem when it comes to the development of friendships (IAP, 2011). They may engage in a one sided conversation about their topic of interest without necessarily taking into consideration the feeling of the listener and whether he or she is interested in their topic of discussion...
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