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maelorin at 11:43pm on 25/02/2003
maelorin at 11:43pm on 25/02/2003So what is Asperger Syndrome? by Dr Lois Freisleben-Cook
http://members.ozemail.com.au/~rbmitch/Asperger9.htm
Asperger's Syndrome is a term used when a child or adult has some features of autism but may not have the full blown clinical picture. There is some disagreement about where it fits in the PDD spectrum. A few people with Asperger's syndrome are very successful and until recently were not diagnosed with anything but were seen as brilliant, eccentric, absent minded, socially inept, and a little awkward physically.
Although the criteria state no significant delay in the development of language milestones, what you might see is a "different" way of using language. A child may have a wonderful vocabulary and even demonstrate hyperlexia but not truly understand the nuances of language and have difficulty with language pragmatics.
Social pragmatics also tend be weak, leading the person to appear to be walking to the beat of a "different drum". Motor dyspraxia can be reflected in a tendency to be clumsy. In social interaction, many people with Asperger's syndrome demonstrate gaze avoidance and may actually turn away at the same moment as greeting another.
The children I have known do desire interaction with others but have trouble knowing how to make it work. They are, however, able to learn social skills much like you or I would learn to play the piano. There is a general impression that Asperger's syndrome carries with it superior intelligence and a tendency to become very interested in and preoccupied with a particular subject. Often this preoccupation leads to a specific career at which the adult is very successful.
At younger ages, one might see the child being a bit more rigid and apprehensive about changes or about adhering to routines. This can lead to a consideration of OCD but it is not the same phenomenon. Many of the weaknesses can be remediated with specific types of therapy aimed at teaching social and pragmatic skills. Anxiety leading to significant rigidity can be also treated medically.
Although it is harder, adults with Asperger's can have relationships, families, happy and productive lives.
Characteristics
Social
Emotionally Fragile
Speech
Need for Sameness
Limited Range of Interests
Motor Coordination
Asperger Syndrome Australian Information Centre
http://members.ozemail.com.au/~rbmitch/Asperger9.htm
Asperger's Syndrome is a term used when a child or adult has some features of autism but may not have the full blown clinical picture. There is some disagreement about where it fits in the PDD spectrum. A few people with Asperger's syndrome are very successful and until recently were not diagnosed with anything but were seen as brilliant, eccentric, absent minded, socially inept, and a little awkward physically.
Although the criteria state no significant delay in the development of language milestones, what you might see is a "different" way of using language. A child may have a wonderful vocabulary and even demonstrate hyperlexia but not truly understand the nuances of language and have difficulty with language pragmatics.
Social pragmatics also tend be weak, leading the person to appear to be walking to the beat of a "different drum". Motor dyspraxia can be reflected in a tendency to be clumsy. In social interaction, many people with Asperger's syndrome demonstrate gaze avoidance and may actually turn away at the same moment as greeting another.
The children I have known do desire interaction with others but have trouble knowing how to make it work. They are, however, able to learn social skills much like you or I would learn to play the piano. There is a general impression that Asperger's syndrome carries with it superior intelligence and a tendency to become very interested in and preoccupied with a particular subject. Often this preoccupation leads to a specific career at which the adult is very successful.
At younger ages, one might see the child being a bit more rigid and apprehensive about changes or about adhering to routines. This can lead to a consideration of OCD but it is not the same phenomenon. Many of the weaknesses can be remediated with specific types of therapy aimed at teaching social and pragmatic skills. Anxiety leading to significant rigidity can be also treated medically.
Although it is harder, adults with Asperger's can have relationships, families, happy and productive lives.
Characteristics
Social
- desires interaction, but does not understand social rules or nonverbal cues for conversation or play
Emotionally Fragile
- self-critical, easily stressed
- has difficulty coping with demands of day-to-day life
Speech
- formal or expressionless tone of voice
- rich vocabulary without understanding subtleties of language
Need for Sameness
- sensitive to changes in daily routine
- may find comfort in repeating ritualistic behaviors
Limited Range of Interests
- may be preoccupied with a particular subject
- continually talking or asking questions about one, sometimes eccentric or inexplicable, idea or thing
- very good memory for facts on one specific subject
Motor Coordination
- may have deficits in fine and gross motor skills
- difficulty writing or drawing
- clumsy or awkward playing sports
Asperger Syndrome Australian Information Centre
curious