Asperger's Syndrome in Laymen's Terms
The syndrome was named for a Viennese
physician, Hans Asperger. He published a paper describing the
pattern of behaviors witnessed of boys who had normal IQs and
language development, but who were thought to be autistic in
behavior with marked social and communicative
deficiencies.
A child or an adult can exhibit signs or symptoms of Asperger's
Syndrome at any time in life that are attributed to other things
such as being absent minded, awkward physically, brilliant but
eccentric or socially inept. Many children are said to have a
language of their own and eventually are diagnosed with Asperger's
Syndrome. They may indeed have a wonderful vocabulary but do not
understand the pragmatics of communicating that language.
Individuals who have Asperger's syndrome are said to be clumsy.
Individuals with this syndrome may avoid gazing directly at someone
even in greeting. Children with this syndrome may have difficulty
in social situations but can learn how to act socially over time.
Adults who have this syndrome may experience difficulty with
relationships, family life and being able to be comfortable in
social situations for business or pleasure but they can learn to
live happy and productive lives adapting to the syndrome and with
therapy and certain medications.
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Exams Tests and Places to Get Help For Those With Asperger's Syndrome
Making the diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome is difficult and takes the input of doctors, teachers, parents and other caregivers in order to make the diagnosis. There are specific criteria that need to be met in order to make the diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome including poor social interaction, unusual behavior, obsessive interests, and activities, normal language development, and normal self-help skills and curiosity about the surrounding environment.
Aspergers Diagnosis
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The syndrome was named for a Viennese physician, Hans Asperger.
He published a paper describing the pattern of behaviors witnessed
of boys who had normal IQs and language development, but who were
thought to be autistic in behavior with marked social and
communicative deficiencies. In 1994 professionals recognized
Asperger Syndrome and parents finally had a name for what they
experienced in their children.
Common characteristics of individuals with this syndrome are
deficiencies in social skills, difficulties when it comes to
changes and they often have obsessive routines and are preoccupied
with one subject of interest. Individuals with Asperger's Syndrome
tend to have difficulty reading nonverbal cues of communication
often referred to as body language. They can also have difficulty
determining proper body space and can be overly sensitive to
sights, smells, sounds and tastes. They will also have preferences
for things that are soft, for certain foods, and can be agitated by
certain sounds or by lights that others around them are not
bothered by. Those with this syndrome are often teased as children
for being "odd" and adults are accused of being eccentric.
Individuals with Asperger's Syndrome can be extremely literal and
have difficulty using language in a social context.
Asperger Syndrome is currently considered to be an autism
spectrum disorder and is often described as being High Functioning
Autism. Still, others describe the pattern of behaviors as a
Nonverbal Learning Disorder. Many individuals are misdiagnosed or
remain undiagnosed.
Individuals with Asperger's Syndrome usually have normal IQ
ranges, in fact many show exceptional skill or talent in certain
areas, so they can achieve high levels of achievements but
experience difficulties in social situations or in making
transitions or changes in work or home life. Individuals who have
Asperger's Syndrome prefer to have stability in their lives and shy
away from situations that would necessitate change.
Asperger's Syndrome
01/04/2009
Church to pray for people with autism (Christian Today)
Christians and other faith communities are being invited to pray for millions of people around the world with autism
Church to pray for people with autism (Christian Today)
01/04/2009
Letters: The consequence of trial by tabloid (Guardian Unlimited)
Letters: It is obvious that Colin Stagg was a victim of the police's stunning incompetence
Letters: The consequence of trial by tabloid (Guardian Unlimited)
01/04/2009
Asperger's, autism caretakers invited to meeting (The Montana Standard)
ANACONDA — People are invited to share with others whose lives are impacted by autism or Asperger's syndrome from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7, in the Hearst Library, 401 Main St., Anaconda. For details, call 563-4567.
Asperger's, autism caretakers invited to meeting (The Montana Standard)
01/03/2009
Hard work pays off for man with Asperger's (ABC 7 Chicago)
Two out of every 10,000 children are diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, a spectrum of autism.
Hard work pays off for man with Asperger's (ABC 7 Chicago)
01/01/2009
Coping With An Autistic Brother: A Teenager's Take (NPR)
Each year, about one child in every 150 is diagnosed with autism. Eleven-year-old Andrew Skillings has Asperger's syndrome, a mild form of autism. Andrew's older sister, Marissa, talks about how she copes with her brother's meltdowns — and how she protects him from the other kids.
Coping With An Autistic Brother: A Teenager's Take (NPR)
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