The Characteristics of Asperger's Syndrome

The child with Asperger's Syndrome may have a large grasp of vocabulary at an early age with both grammar and vocabulary being at a high level. The speech though may be somewhat stilted and repetitive

Language Characteristics:

The child with Asperger's Syndrome may have a large grasp of vocabulary at an early age with both grammar and vocabulary being at a high level. The speech though may be somewhat stilted and repetitive. The voice pattern tends to be monotone and emotionless and conversations revolve around self.

Cognitive Characteristics:

The individual with Asperger's Syndrome is usually obsessed with complex topics, such as history, music, patterns, and weather etc., and is often described as being odd or eccentric.

The IQ is usually normal to high especially in verbal ability and below average in performance ability. Many individuals with Asperger's Syndrome also have dyslexia, writing problems, and difficulty with mathematics. They may also lack common sense, and have concrete thinking versus the ability to think in terms of abstract.

Autism Support Group Medical personnel will be looking for signs of compliance with the criteria set for Asperger's Syndrome in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, which is a publication of the American Psychiatric Association and used to be a standard for diagnosing Asperger's Syndrome and other Mental Disorders. Many times a child is misdiagnosed with other conditions prior to be correctly diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome. Autism Support Group

Behavioral Characteristics:

They typically appear to be clumsy and awkward in movement, have off forms of self-stimulatory behavior, odd movements like flapping of hands. They exhibit sensory problems but not as dramatic as those who have forms of autism. They may show inappropriate reciprocal interaction and are unaware of personal space issues often times getting in your face when having conversations with you. They often avoid direct gaze when greeting individuals. They have a great deal of difficulty with non-verbal interpretation such as body language and facial expressions.

Cause:

At the present time there has not been any direct determination for a clear cause for Asperger's Syndrome though it is thought that there is a hereditary factor involved as many times when there is a diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome there is found to be several "odd" or eccentric characters in the family tree.

Other conditions such as depression and bipolar disorder are often reported to be experienced along with the symptoms and signs of Asperger's Syndrome or they have family members who have been diagnosed with depression or bipolar disorder.

With intervention and treatment, especially early in life, an individual with Asperger's Syndrome can lead a productive and functional life although they typically have to work harder at being successful at personal and work relationships, and being able to communicate effectively with others. Through early education, cognitive and behavioral therapy and also occupational therapy individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome are able to go to college, become professionals, have productive careers, and learn how to develop relationships even have families. Early intervention is essential for the best prognosis. Educating family members, teachers and other caregivers is also important so that they understand how to relate to the individual with Asperger’s Syndrome and to help the individual to learn how to overcome the characteristics of Asperger’s Syndrome.

Asperger's Syndrome

02/03/2012
How changing the definition of Autism could affect families
Health experts are proposing ways to change the definition of autism. About a year and half ago, Suzie Hargroder's 10-year-old daughter, Lexi, was diagnosed with high functioning autism, also known as Asperger's Syndrome. With services provided by the state, such as occupational therapy, Hargroder says Lexi is doing well in school and at home. Since an expert panel is working on redefining ...

How changing the definition of Autism could affect families

02/03/2012
'Best Practices': Learning To Live With Asperger's
David Finch was 30-years-old when he discovered that he was on the autism spectrum. In Journal of Best Practices, he describes how he learned to manage the disorder — and become a better husband and father in the process.

'Best Practices': Learning To Live With Asperger's

01/20/2012
Proposed changes to autism definition may mean new diagnoses for people with Asperger's
Proposed changes to American Psychological Association's diagnostic manual may stop skyrocketing autism rates, experts said

Proposed changes to autism definition may mean new diagnoses for people with Asperger's

01/20/2012
Proposed changes to autism definition may mean new diagnoses for people with Asperger's
Proposed changes to American Psychological Association's diagnostic manual may stop skyrocketing autism rates, experts said

Proposed changes to autism definition may mean new diagnoses for people with Asperger's

01/30/2012
Asperger’s History of Over-Diagnosis
People with social disabilities are not necessarily autistic, and giving them diagnoses on the autism spectrum often does a real disservice.

Asperger’s History of Over-Diagnosis

02/01/2012
Family: Boy, 15, shot to death after threatening, cutting police had autism disorder
Police in Calumet City shot and killed a 15-year-old boy with an autism disorder in his home after his family called police and he threatened officers and cut one with a knife, police and the boy's family said.Stephon Watts, 15, suffered from Asperger's syndrome, and family called police this morning after he became upset and did not want to go to school, said his mother, Danelene Powell-Watts ...

Family: Boy, 15, shot to death after threatening, cutting police had autism disorder