What Is Asperger's Syndrome?

Dr. Hans Asperger first classified Asperger's Syndrome as an Autism Spectrum Disorder, or Persuasive Development Disorder, in 1944. Asperger's Syndrome is considered a less severe type of Autism because those affected do not lack the same communication skills, function relatively well in social situations, and are often extremely intelligent. For example, some people who have Asperger's Syndrome are able to graduate from college, hold a job, and raise a family. Their brains also have a large hippocampus and small amygdala which could explain their high cognitive abilities, and their abnormal social skills. There is not any consistent evidence of lesions in the brain similar to those of autistic symptoms. People who have Asperger's often act awkwardly in social situations, have a prescribed area of interest, and desire a constant routine. A cure for Asperger's Syndrome has not been developed, and although the traits do change as a person gets older, those who have it live with it their whole lives.

Asperger's Syndrome Explained

This is a very basic way of explaining Asperger's Syndrome from an episode of Arthur.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9eATBV-_lg

Asperger's Syndrome vs. Autism

Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior and signs of autism usually begin before the child is three years old. They also have an IQ of less than 70. Asperger's Syndrome is a developmental disorder characterized by sustained impairment in social interactions and nonverbal communications, and signs of Asperger's usually begin in the early elementary school years. Autism is considered a "Spectrum Disorder" because there are many forms and a broad range of symptoms. Asperger's Syndrome is considered to be on the highest end of the spectrum because those affected are the highest functioning, whereas a lower functioning person with Autism would be at the other end of the spectrum. People with Asperger's tend to have fewer developmental delays, obsessed with complex topics, and clumsiness is more frequently seen. Researchers say Asperger's Syndrome could be hereditary and neurological disorders are less common.

Asperger's Syndrome in the Classroom

Those with Asperger's Syndrome often have trouble in the classroom. Their extreme focus is a strength as well as a weakness. For example, they could know everything there is to know about physical sciences, but is struggling in math, and often times they are unwilling to "broaden their horizons." Another one of their strengths, and also a weakness, is their excellent capacity for memorization. This could possibly make a topic such as Language Arts difficult for students with Asperger's. Even though they know exactly what is going on in the book, they are often unable to explain why making higher level reading books, such as Les Miserables, difficult. Those with Asperger's Syndrome desire a constant routine, which could make impromptu schedule changes such as a fire drill, field trip, or pop quiz difficult for them. Without warning the student, these changes could result in a panic attack. They also do not like participating in team sports because there are just too many things going on at the same time making it hard for them to process what is going on. Being strict rule followers, they also sometimes feel the need to cite every infraction made, especially during gym class when playing a game or other classroom situations.

Asperger's Syndrome in Children

A young child with Asperger's Syndrome often has trouble understanding social cues and the basics of social interactions. For example, they could have problems understanding idioms, sarcasm, and difficulties understanding/using slang. They also tend to have poor pragmatic language skills meaning the child has trouble using the proper tone and speech volume. They also want to have friends, but often are unable to keep them. Most children with Asperger's Syndrome struggle in school. They tend to focus on certain complex topics, and they bore others with the repetitive talk of these topics. Learning difficulties are common in those with Asperger's. It is also difficult for them to adapt to changes in routine and change must be

Asperger's Syndrome In Teenagers

This is considered to be the most difficult part for a person with Asperger's Syndrome because social demands become greater. To be honest, being a teenager is hard enough for a "normal" person and having awkward social skills and being a teenager is even harder. Subtle social cues are even more important now, and some may show an increase in oppositional or aggressive behavior. Lastly, those affected by Asperger's Syndrome could have problems knowing which one of their peers wishes to be their friends. They could easily be taken advantage of and extremely vulnerable to peer pressure and social manipulation.

Asperger's Syndrome In Adults

There is less information on Asperger's Syndrome in adults then there is in children and teenagers. There are two possible scenarios for adults with Asperger's Syndrome.

Scenario One:

• Some adults learn to compensate and often excel in the technical field.


• They become indistinguishable from everyone else resulting in less data on Adults with Asperger's Syndrome.



• They are able to graduate from college, hold a job, get married, and raise a family.

Scenario Two:

• They are unable to adapt as adults and live isolated lives away secluded from the rest of the world.



• They have trouble integrating themselves into society.

*Note this is a picture of Jerry Espenson, a lawyer with Asperger's Syndrome on the ABC television series Boston Legal. It is describing Scenario One and how adults with Asperger's can integrate themselves into society. Jerry Espenson is a completely fictional character.

**Albert Einstein did have Asperger's Syndrome as well as many other famous, successful people such as Sir Alfred John Hitchcock, Charles Monroe Schultz, George Orwell, and even President George W. Bush is rumored to have Asperger's Syndrome.