Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
Dr. Perlstein received his Medical Degree from the University of Cincinnati and then completed his internship and residency in pediatrics at The New York Hospital, Cornell medical Center in New York City. After serving an additional year as Chief Pediatric Resident, he worked as a private practitioner and then was appointed Director of Ambulatory Pediatrics at St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx.
8 Tips for Parents of Kids with Asperger's Syndrome
Medical Author:
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD Medical Editor:
Roxanne Dryden-Edwards, MD
Children and teens with
Asperger's syndrome often struggle with the social
skills necessary for success in school and social settings. Tony Attwood, a
psychologist and acclaimed expert on Asperger's syndrome, has written books that
can help parents and teachers better understand the nature of this complex
condition. He also offers proven tips and advice to help kids and teens with
Asperger's to bolster their social skills.
Steps that parents may take to help their kids with Asperger's include the
following:
Teach the child some practical skills to
integrate into social settings. It may be helpful to practice introductory
conversational tactics, like asking if he or she can join in. The child
may benefit from practicing appropriate "openers" such as "Can you help me with
this?" or "Can I play too?"
Encourage the child to look at what other
children are doing. Many successful adults with Asperger's syndrome report that
they have learned social skills by watching and emulating what others do in
certain situations. Many kids find that it is easy to copy what the other
children are doing, whether it is making eye contact with their playmates,
listening attentively, participating in a game, or taking turns. This can
be helpful even if they do not possess the necessary social understanding to
intuitively know what to do in these situations.
Asperger disorder is characterized as one of the autism spectrum disorders.
People with Asperger's syndrome have normal to above-average intelligence but
typically have difficulties with social interactions and often have pervasive,
absorbing interests in special topics.
Abnormalities in the subtle use of language and interpretation of language
are common with Asperger's syndrome, although language development (grammar,
syntax, etc.) is normal.
The degree of severity of symptoms can vary among affected individuals.
Anxiety and frustration may contribute to disruptive behaviors or
depression in people with Asperger's syndrome.
Successful treatment generally involves one or multiple social, behavioral,
and/or educational interventions.
The personality and cognitive traits common to those with Asperger's syndrome
are seen as beneficial by many, and many people with Asperger's syndrome believe
it has helped advance their professional lives.
What is Asperger's syndrome?
Asperger's syndrome, also known as Asperger disorder or Asperger syndrome, is one of a group of neurodevelopmental disorders that have effects on an individual's behavior, use of language and communication, and pattern of social interactions. Asperger disorder is characterized as one of the autism spectrum disorders (which also include autistic disorder, Rett disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified [PDD-NOS]), although Asperger's syndrome is considered to be at the milder, or higher-functioning, range of this spectrum. There is still some controversy as to whether Asperger's syndrome should be regarded as a separate clinical entity or simply represents a high-functioning form of autism. People with Asperger's syndrome have normal to above-average intelligence but typically have difficulties with social interactions and often have pervasive, absorbing interests in special topics.
Asperger's syndrome is named for Dr. Hans Asperger, an Austrian pediatrician, who first described the condition in 1944. Dr. Asperger described four boys who showed "a lack of empathy, little ability to form friendships, one-sided conversation, intense absorption in a special interest, and clumsy movements." Because of their obsessive interests in and knowledge of particular subjects, he termed the boys "little professors." The American Psychiatric Association (APA) recognized Asperger disorder as a specific entity and published diagnostic criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV (DSM-IV) in 1994. Most recently, after significant deliberation, the APA recommended "subsuming" Asperger's Disorder into Autism Spectrum Disorders for the next edition DSM-V. However, there has been significant academic debate regarding this decision, and since this edition is not expected to be approved and published until 2013, there will be more debates on the matter.
Today, many experts in the field stress the particular gifts and positive aspects of Asperger syndrome and consider it to represent a different, but not necessarily defective, way of thinking. Positive characteristics of people with Asperger syndrome have been described as beneficial in many professions and include:
the increased ability to focus on details,
the capacity to persevere in
specific interests without being swayed by others' opinions,
the ability to work
independently,
the recognition of patterns that may be missed by others,
intensity, and
an original way of thinking.
Dr. Temple Grandin, a noted
engineer, author, and professor who suffers from Asperger disorder believes that
her condition has been an asset in her professional life. Her life and story was featured in a film that first aired in 2010.
Although the diagnosis of Asperger's syndrome is not possible without direct
testing and observation of an individual, it has been suggested by some authors
that many successful historical figures may have had Asperger's syndrome,
including Mozart, Albert Einstein, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and
Marie Curie. Of course, definitive diagnosis of historical figures with Asperger's
syndrome is not possible, and many of the traits exhibited by people with
Asperger's syndrome can also occur because of intellectual giftedness or even
attention deficit disorder (ADD).
What causes Asperger's syndrome?
If one accepts the conclusion that Asperger's syndrome is one of the autistic
disorders, then the causes of Asperger's syndrome would be expected to be the same
as the causes of autism. The precise causes of autistic disorders have not been
identified, although an inherited (genetic) component is believed to be
involved. Supporting this idea is the fact that Asperger's syndrome has been
observed to run in families. In some cases, autistic disorders may be related to
toxic exposures, teratogens, problems with pregnancy or birth, and prenatal
infections. These environmental influences may act together to modify or
potentially increase the severity of the underlying genetic defect.
Some authors have suggested a causal role for vaccine exposure (particularly
measles vaccine and thimerosal, a mercury preservative used in some vaccines) in
autism. However, the overwhelming majority of epidemiologic evidence shows no
evidence for an association between immunizations and autism, and experts have
discredited this theory.
How common is Asperger's syndrome?
Asperger's syndrome is five times more common in boys than in girls. In recent years, the number of autism spectrum disorders has increased dramatically in the U.S. The reason for the increase is not fully clear, but it likely due to both improvements and modifications in the diagnostic process that result in an increase in the number of children being identified, as well as some degree of true increase in the incidence of the disorders themselves. The most recent studies show that one out of every 110 children in the U.S. has an autism spectrum disorder.
Asperger's syndrome has been estimated to affect two and a half out of every 1000 children, based upon the total number of children with autistic disorders.
Anxiety is a feeling of apprehension and fear characterized by physical symptoms. Anxiety disorders are serious medical illnesses that affect approximately 19 million American adults.
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder that causes a person to suffer repeated obsessions and compulsions. Symptoms include irresistible impulses despite a person's realization that the thoughts are irrational, excessive hand washing, skin picking, lock checking, or repeatedly rearranging items. People with OCD are more likely to develop trichotillomania, muscle or vocal tics, or an eating disorder. Treatment for OCD includes psychotherapy, behavioral therapy, and medication.
Tourette syndrome is disorder, which symptoms include involuntary facial tics, motor tics, and vocal tics. The cause of Tourette syndrome is not known. ADHD is associated with Tourette syndrome. Treatment includes medication, psychotherapy, and in severe cases surgery.
Autism in children and adults is a developmental disorder, characterized by impaired development in communication, social interaction, and behavior. Autism is classified as a pervasive developmental disorder (PDD), which is part of a broad spectrum of developmental disorders affecting young children and adults. There are numerous theories and studies about the cause of autism. The treatment model for autism is an educational program that is suitable to an individual's developmental level of performance. There is no "cure" for autism.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a behavioral disorder characterized by the symptoms hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention. Treatment for ADHD may involve behavioral therapy and psychostimulant or antidepressant medication.
Genetic disease is a disorder or condition caused by abnormalities in a person's genome. Types of genetic inheritance include single inheritance (for example, cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, Marfan syndrome, and hemochromatosis), multifactoral inheritance, chromosome abnormalities (for example, Turner syndrome, and Klinefelter syndrome), and mitochondrial inheritance (for example, epilepsy and dementia).
Pervasive development disorders (PPDs) are conditions involving developmental delays in children. There are five types of PDDs: autism, Asperger's syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, Rett's syndrome, and pervasive development disorders not otherwise specified (PDDNOS).
Childhood depression can interfere with social activities, interests, schoolwork and family life. Symptoms and signs include anger, social withdrawal, vocal outbursts, fatigue, physical complaints, and thoughts of suicide. Treatment may involve psychotherapy and medication.
Mental health is an optimal way of thinking, relating to others, and feeling. All of the diagnosable mental disorders fall under the umbrella of mental illness. Depression, anxiety, and substance-abuse disorders are common types of mental illness. Symptoms and signs of mental illness include irritability, moodiness, insomnia, headaches, and sadness. Treatment may involve psychotherapy and medication.
Face blindness (prosopagnosia) is a condition that causes the inability to recognize faces. Face blindness may be caused by stroke, traumatic brain injury, or certain neurodegenerative diseases. Treatment involves helping the patient develop compensatory strategies.
Prosopagnosia is a neurological disorder characterized by the inability to recognize faces. Prosopagnosia is also known as face blindness or facial agnosia. The term prosopagnosia comes from the Greek words for “face” and “lack of knowledge.” Depending upon the degree of impairment, some people with prosopagnosia may only have difficulty recognizing a familiar face; others will be unable to discriminate between unknown faces, while still others may not even be able to distinguish a face as being different from an object. Some people with the disorder are unable to recognize their own face. Prosopagnosia is not related to memory dysfunction, memory loss, impaired vision, or learning disabilities. Prosopagnosia is thought to be the result of abnormalities, damage, or impairment in the right fusiform gyrus, a fold in the brain that appears to coordinate the neural systems that control facial perception and memory. Prosopagnosia can result from stroke, t...
