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.

Autism Support Group People are seen to be boring, humorless and often accused of being too literal. When listening to someone who has Asperger's Syndrome his or her tone of voice may appear to be monotonous and emotionless. They will also miss facial expressions, or body gestures from those that are listening to them so they are unaware of the fact that they are perceived as being boring. It is easy for someone with this syndrome to entirely misinterpret the meaning of a communication or completely miss something that is being communicated to them. Individuals who have Asperger's syndrome typically have obsessive interest in things that have a great deal of detail and their interests can be all-encompassing to the point of seeming weird, nerdy or obsessive by others. Autism Support Group

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

11/19/2008
New library books (Fort Wayne Journal Gazette)
The following new books about autism are available at the Tecumseh branch of the Allen County Public Library: “The Way I See It: A Personal Look at Autism and Asperger’s” By Temple Grandin Diagnosed with autism when little was known about the condition, Grandin went on to earn a Ph.D.

New library books (Fort Wayne Journal Gazette)

11/18/2008
Girl, 10, diagnosed herself with autism (Ananova)
A girl of 10 diagnosed herself with Asperger's Syndrome while reading a children's book on autism.

Girl, 10, diagnosed herself with autism (Ananova)

11/18/2008
Colleges Seeing More Autistic Students (NBC 5 Chicago)
For years, the increase in autism diagnoses among young children has been reported, and now colleges and universities are seeing their first influx of autistic students.

Colleges Seeing More Autistic Students (NBC 5 Chicago)

11/18/2008
Girl of 10 diagnoses self with Asperger's Syndrome (Daily Mirror)
A girl of 10 diagnosed herself with Asperger's Syndrome while reading a children's book on autism to better understand her brother's condition.

Girl of 10 diagnoses self with Asperger's Syndrome (Daily Mirror)

11/17/2008
Vines cancel, singer battles Asperger's (The West Australian)
Australian rockers The Vines have cancelled all their upcoming shows after the deterioration of singer Craig Nicholls' mental condition. Nicholls suffers from Asperger's syndrome, a mild form of autism, which causes him to behave erratically.

Vines cancel, singer battles Asperger's (The West Australian)

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