Asperger's Syndrome?

Question

my brother's teacher says he should be screened for it. what is it and what are the symptoms/characteristics?

Answer 1

Asperger Syndrome (AS) is a type of high functioning autistic spectrum disorder in which there is no clinically significant delay in language and an IQ of at least average (often higher). Although people with AS learn to speak at or near the usual age, they usually have an odd style of speech and difficulties with nonverbal communication. Many people with Asperger Syndrome have fine and/or gross motor skills delays although this is not necessary for a diagnosis. People with AS also frequently have difficulties with math and with organizational skills.

Good source links below for lots of information.


http://www.autistics.org/access/informat...

http://www.hyperlexia.org/gordy001.html...

http://www.phad-fife.org.uk/asd.php...

Answer 2

The symptoms vary quite a bit between people with AS. My son has been diagnosed with it. He has a hard time with controlling his frustration and at times will break things out of frustration. Even when he was a baby, he would have a screaming fit if he would put something on a shelf in such a way that it would fall. He would keep trying to place the object back the same way. One he started talking he hardly ever uses contractions. For example, instead of saying "Don't do that" he'll say "Do not do that". Most people wouldn't really think much of it unless they were looking for it. He also wants everything plain. If you put two kinds of food on his plate and they mix, he won't eat it. He won't put anything on his food such as condiments. He will only drink water. He has learned (with some difficulty) to tell the difference between a person that is teasing him or being serious. He has some problems at school but he is very smart. His problems stem from his lack of control on his temper.

All these 'problems' he has border on him just having different preferences than most people. He is a very smart kid but also very loving. He just sees the world differently than most people.

I've heard that Bill Gates has AS but I don't know if thats true or not.

Answer 3

Some clinicians see it as a form of autism. There is still some contoversy about it. Wikipedia explains AS better than I ever could:

AS is characterized by:

- Narrow interests or preoccupation with a subject to the exclusion of other activities
- Repetitive behaviors or rituals
- Peculiarities in speech and language
- Extensive logical/technical patterns of thought
- Socially and emotionally inappropriate behavior and interpersonal interaction
- Problems with nonverbal communication
- Clumsy and uncoordinated motor movements

The most common and important characteristics of AS can be divided into several broad categories: social impairments, narrow but intense interests, and peculiarities of speech and language. Other features are commonly associated with this syndrome, but are not always regarded as necessary for diagnosis. ... Unlike most forms of PDDs, AS is often camouflaged, and many people with the disorder blend in with those who do not have it. The effects of AS depend on how an affected individual responds to the syndrome itself.

Answer 4

Get him screened then. I know a lot of people with Asperger's. You can have a life, make friends, hold a job, even get advanced degrees. A lot of really smart people seem to have it and many are good at math, not bad at it. It just means that he might be a lttle off socially, and have a harder time understanding people emotionally. There is a good test online and an article about it in Wired Magazine: http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/9.12/aqtest.html. Good luck!

Answer 5

hullo
it is a variant of autism,which was formerly thought to be childhood schizophrenia,but not now,it is a separate entity.
usually there is school difficulty,scholastic under achievement,sameness of behaviour,isolation from others,emotional coldness,and a peculiar type of speech.
you can read more about it in the oxford textbook of psychiatry.

Dr solo

Answer 6

get him screened for asperger syndrome the diagnosis is
more acurate than before

Answer 7

save yourself some time and just look up autism and refer to the mild cases or what is called high functioning cases

Answer 8

1. poor social skills
2. one are of special interest
3. not making eye-contact
4. bluntness
5. honesty
6. thinks in pictures
7. takes things literally/doesn't understand sarcasm
8. naive

Answer 9

here you go, it's a milder form of autism. http://www.aspergers.com/aspclin.htm