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Thursday 20 September 2018

What is Asperger Syndrome?

The name Asperger Syndrome (AS) comes from the Austrian Child Psychologist Hans Asperger, who wrote a 1944 study detailing the first definition of the syndrome. AS is now classified as part of the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and is thought to be a milder form of Autism.

From http://www.asperger-syndrome.me.uk/history.html

'In four boys, he (Asperger) identified a pattern of behaviour and abilities that he called "autistic psychopathy", meaning autism (self) and psychopathy (personality disease). The pattern included "a lack of empathy, little ability to form friendships, one-sided conversation, intense absorption in a special interest, and clumsy movements." Asperger called children with AS "little professors" because of their ability to talk about their favourite subject in great detail.'

  https://www.autism.org.uk/about/what-is/asperger.aspx# explain that AS is not a disease but rather a personality type that one is born with and has indefinitely. Those with AS 'see, hear and feel the world differently to other people' and can find everyday life 'overwhelming'. A complexity in describing and diagnosing AS is that it can affect people differently and is often mixed with other mental health problems meaning two people with AS can have apparently completely different problems.

'The characteristics of Asperger syndrome vary from one person to another, but in order for a diagnosis to be made, a person will usually be assessed as having had persistent difficulties with social communication and social interaction and restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviours, activities or interests since early childhood, to the extent that these “limit and impair everyday functioning”.'

As of September 2018 the causes of AS remain unclear despite major studies aiming to determine several hypotheses, such as the MMR vaccination being a potential cause. AS is thought to be genetic.

There is no perfect treatment for AS and rather a body of different coping strategies to aid the core symptoms of low level communication skills, obsessive/repetitive routines and physical clumsiness, with the accepted view being the earlier intervention the better in children.

https://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/all-disorders/asperger-syndrome-information-page

'An effective treatment program builds on the child’s interests, offers a predictable schedule, teaches tasks as a series of simple steps, actively engages the child’s attention in highly structured activities, and provides regular reinforcement of behaviour.  It may include social skills training, cognitive behavioural therapy, medication for co-existing conditions, and other measures.'

Children and adults can function normally with AS if treated effectively, though social/communicative situations may persist in being challenging scenarios. For this reason it is suggested that those with AS receive continuing support to maintain independent lifestyles.

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