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Asperger Syndrome (AS)

Asperger Syndrome (AS) is also referred to as Asperger Disorder, Aspberger’s Syndrome and several other variations of these names. Named for Hans Asperger, the German physician that first documented the symptoms of this disorder in 1944, AS is one of a category of disorders called Pervasive Developmental Disorders, or Autism Spectrum Disorders, a group of neurological conditions characterized by varying degrees of impairment in language and communication skills, and repetitive or restrictive thought and behavior. AD is diagnosed in childhood. Patients with Asperger Disorder exhibit symptoms of social isolation and eccentric behavior, and impaired interactive and non-verbal communication skills. Their speech is peculiar in inflection and often shows a repetitive pattern. They are clumsy in articulation and motor skills and behavior, and they rarely participate in age appropriate activities or interests common to other children in their age group. Instead, they become preoccupied with unusual or very specific topics, about which they amass an impressive body of facts, demonstrated at the first opportunity, and though the topic may change every year or so, the content will dominate conversations with family and all social situations. This symptom may not be recognized in childhood, but it will become more evident as the child grows. For example an AS patient might be obsessed with cars, trains, door knobs, hinges, meteorology, snakes, names of stars, maps, TV guides, or railway schedules.

AS patients are often loners, and though they express interest in making friends, their approach is awkward and insensitive to others, and they may become frustrated at their failure to make friends. Their poor social intuition is often accompanied by reliance on rigid rules of behavior.

Unlike Autistic patients the Asperger patient does not generally exhibit a delay in language, cognitive development or adaptive behavior, but AS patients will lag in social skills and interaction, and motor skill development. They will exhibit odd movements, clumsiness, difficulty with gait, and fine motor tasks. Asperger Syndrome generally occurs in boys over three years of age. In spite of recent research, Asperger Syndrome is a disorder that still requires a lot of study. It is unclear whether there are genetic links and how much, if any, of the disorder can be attributed to environmental or dietary sensitivity.

What are the symptoms?

• Restricted range of interests
• Poor social skills, difficulty with relationships
• Preoccupation with one or more topics
• Normal intellect, adequate vocabulary and grammar
• Repetitive gestures or motions (hand flapping or twisting, complex body movement)
• Impaired social and occupational function
• Clumsiness, poor balance and gait, lack of fine motor skills
• Monotone or odd speech pattern
• Appears naïve, unable to form friendships
• Poor coordination and concentration
• Lack of emotional sensitivity and reciprocity
• Poor eye contact, odd gestures and body postures
• Difficulty in picking up and acting on social cues and subtleties
• Auditory distortion and discrimination when 2 or more people are speaking at the same time
• No delay of language acquisition, speech is repetitive
• Criteria for other Pervasive Developmental Disorder or Schizophrenia is not met
• Inflexible routines and schedules
• Sensory sensitivity to sound, taste, touch, sight, smell, pain, temperature

How is it diagnosed and treated?

Where a developmental disorder is suspected in a child, doctors will perform a medical and mental wellness evaluation to rule out other illness or disease, including schizoid personality disorder, semantic-pragmatic processing disorder and other disorders that may mimic the symptoms of AS. A diagnostic review will include the following:

• Impaired non-verbal behavior (eye contact, facial expression, body postures, gestures)
• Repetitive interests, preoccupation with one or more topics or items
• Poor balance, gait and motor skills
• Failure to develop peer relationships and social and emotional reciprocity
• Inflexible rituals and routines

Treatment(s) can include:

• Psychotherapy
• Special Education, self-sufficiency skills, adaptive skills training
• Physical Therapy, Vocational Training
• Family Therapy and Education
• Cognitive Strategies and Intervention, Problem Solving Training
• Social Awareness Training
• Medication as appropriate: psychostimulants, mood stabilizers, beta blockers, neuroleptics, SSRIs, Tricyclics, Antidepressants, anti-anxiety, antipsychotics,

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