Asperger Syndrome
(Asperger's Syndrome)
What is Asperger syndrome?
Asperger syndrome (AS) is a developmental disorder that is characterized by:
1
- limited interests or an unusual preoccupation with a particular subject to
the exclusion of other activities
- repetitive routines or rituals
- peculiarities in speech and language, such as speaking in an overly formal
manner or in a monotone, or taking figures of speech literally
- socially and emotionally inappropriate behavior and the inability to interact
successfully with peers
- problems with non-verbal communication, including the restricted use of
gestures, limited or inappropriate facial expressions, or a peculiar, stiff gaze
- clumsy and uncoordinated motor movements
Asperger syndrome is an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), one of a distinct group of
neurological conditions characterized by a greater or lesser degree of
impairment in language and communication skills, as well as repetitive or
restrictive patterns of thought and behavior. Other ASDs include: classic
autism, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and
pervasive
developmental disorder not otherwise specified (usually referred to as PDD-NOS).
Parents usually sense there is something unusual about a child with Asperger
syndrome by the
time of his or her third birthday, and some children may exhibit symptoms as
early as infancy. Unlike children with autism, children with Asperger syndrome retain their
early language skills. Motor development delays – crawling or walking late,
clumsiness – are sometimes the first indicator of the disorder.
The incidence of Asperger
syndrome is not well established, but experts in population
studies conservatively estimate that two out of every 10,000 children have the
disorder. Boys are three to four times more likely than girls to have Asperger
syndrome.
Studies of children with Asperger syndrome suggest that their problems with socialization
and communication continue into adulthood. Some of these children develop
additional psychiatric symptoms and disorders in adolescence and adulthood.
Although diagnosed mainly in children, Asperger syndrome is being
increasingly diagnosed in adults who seek medical help for mental health
conditions such as depression,
obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). No studies have yet been conducted to determine the incidence
of Asperger syndrome in adult populations.
1Adapted from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of
Mental Disorders IV and the International Classification of Diseases - 10
Next: Why is it called Asperger syndrome? »
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