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Disability Specific Resources

Information: Asperger Syndrome

Definition:

• Asperger Syndrome (Asperger's Disorder or Asperger's) is one of five neurobiological pervasive developmental disorders (PDD) that describes autistic like behaviors in particular deficiencies in social and communication skills. A Viennese physician, Hans Asperger, published a paper in 1944 that described a pattern of behaviors in several young boys who had normal intelligence and language development, but who exhibited these behaviors. In 1981, an English doctor named Lorna Wing published a series of case studies of children showing similar symptoms, which she called “Asperger’s” syndrome.

  Asperger's Disorder was defined in 1994 in section 299.80 of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) by six main criteria. These criteria define Asperger Syndrome, Asperger's Disorder or Aspergers as a condition in which there is:

  • Qualitative impairment in social interaction.
  • The presence of restricted, repetitive and stereotyped behaviors and interests.
  • Significant impairment in important areas of functioning.
  • No significant delay in language.
  • No significant delay in cognitive development, self-help skills, or adaptive behaviors (other than social interaction); and, The symptoms must not be better accounted for by another specific pervasive developmental disorder or schizophrenia.

Diagnosis

Despite this report and subsequent studies, diagnosing Asperger Syndrome is complicated. Professionals do not have standardized screenings and must rely on a battery of screening and diagnostic tools.

Causes:

• There is no known cause.

Characteristics:

• Mild to severe
• Deficiency in social skills, communication skills.
• Normal or superior intelligence.
• Standard language development compared with classical autism.
• Obsessive or repetitive routines.
• Physical clumsiness.
• Difficulty with relationships.

  Asperger Syndrome may lead to problems in social interaction with peers. These problems can be severe or mild depending on the individual. Children with Asperger Syndrome are often the target of bullying at school due to their idiosyncratic behavior, language, interests, and impaired ability to perceive and respond in socially expected ways to nonverbal cues, particularly in interpersonal conflict. Children with Asperger Syndrome may be extremely literal and may have difficulty interpreting and responding to sarcasm or banter.

Statistics:

• Two to three of every 10,000 children have the condition, making it rarer than autistic disorder itself. Three to four times as many boys have Asperger Syndrome compared with girls.

Prevention:

Awareness

• People are more alike than they are different.
• Identify and develop an appreciation for each persons strengths and accomplishments.
• Become aware of the affect on daily activities. Some professionals contend that, far from being a disease, Asperger Syndrome is simply the pathologizing of neurodiversity that should be celebrated, understood and accommodated instead of "treated" or "cured."

  Autistic people have contributed to a shift in perception of autism spectrum disorders as complex syndromes rather than diseases that must be cured. Proponents of this view reject the notion that there is an 'ideal' brain configuration and that any deviation from the norm is pathological. They demand tolerance for what they call their neurodiversity in much the same way physically handicapped people have demanded tolerance. These views are the basis for the autistic rights and autistic pride movements. Researcher Simon Baron-Cohen has argued that high-functioning autism is a "difference" and is not necessarily a "disability." He contends that the term "difference" is more neutral, and that this small shift in a term could mean the difference between a diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome being received as a family tragedy, or as interesting information, such as learning that a child is left-handed.

Viewpoint

• The National Information Center for Children and Youth With Disabilities (NICHCY) offers an information package. Link to their Autism/PDD Page, and contact them for an information package concerning Asperger Syndrome.

Needs and Solutions

• Develop behavior management strategies and address poor communication skills, obsessive or repetitive routines, and physical clumsiness. Many individuals with Asperger Syndrome can adopt strategies for coping and developing relationships.
• Rehab:
  • Exercise
  • Hygiene
  • Education
  • Training
  • Vocational rehabilitation
  • Relationship counseling

  A typical treatment program generally includes:

  • Social skills training, to teach the skills to more successfully interact with others.
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy, to help in better managing emotions that may be explosive or anxious, and to cut back on obsessive interests and repetitive routines.
  • Medication, for co-existing conditions such as depression and anxiety.
  • Occupational or physical therapy, to assist with sensory integration problems or poor motor coordination.
  • Specialized speech therapy, to help with the trouble of the "give and take" in normal conversation; and, parent training and support, to teach parents behavioral techniques to use at home.

    Many studies have been done on early behavioral interventions. Most of these are single case with one to five participants. The single case studies are usually about controlling non-core autistic problem-behaviors like self-injury, aggression, noncompliance, stereotypes, or spontaneous language. Packaged interventions such as those run by UCLA or TEACCH are designed to treat the entire syndrome and have been found to be somewhat effective.

    Unintended side effects of medication and intervention have largely been ignored in the literature about treatment programs for children or adults, and there are claims that some treatments are not ethical and do more harm than good.

    It is important to focus on maximizing the patient's capabilities at home and in the community. Positive reinforcement helps recovery by improving self-esteem and promoting independence. The rehabilitation program is designed to meet the needs of the individual patient. Active involvement of the patient and family is vital to the success of the program.

    The goal of rehabilitation help the person to the highest level of function and independence possible, while improving the overall quality of life - physically, emotionally, and socially.

    In order to help reach these goals, asperger rehabilitation programs may include the following:

    • vocational counseling
    • patient and family education

Learn More About Asperger Syndrome