General Asperger Syndrome Information:
What is Asperger Syndrome (AS)?
What are some co-existing conditions of individuals with AS?
What are the strengths of an individual with Asperger Syndrome?
What are some difficulties that an individual with Asperger Syndrome may experience?
What is the prevalence of Asperger Syndrome?
What are the needs of individuals with AS and their families?
Where can I get more information on Asperger Syndrome?
What is Asperger Syndrome (AS)?
Asperger Syndrome is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that impacts brain structure and function. Since 1994 it has been recognized as a distinct diagnosis and knowledge about this condition is still emerging. Often AS is viewed as a hidden disability – you cannot tell that a person has AS just by looking at them. People with AS have challenges in the areas of social, occupational and other areas of functioning. People with AS process information differently than neurotypical individuals (NT). They often have a preoccupation or hyper-focus on a specific subject matter and may be insensitive to others lack of interest in the subject.
People with AS tend to have uneven cognitive skills, characterized by both areas of strength, and areas of deficit. This can make functioning in everyday life a challenge. Because of their thinking style, they tend to approach problems in a logical, systemic way. . As well, strong verbal skills may mask the limitations of social skills in everyday life.
AS is an autism spectrum disorder, meaning that each individual living with AS is unique, but all will share some common traits such as difficulty with social interaction, impairments in understanding some areas of communication (particularly non verbal communication) and restrictive (sometimes) repetitive interests or behaviours. Additionally many individuals with AS have reported some sensory issues, including hypersensitivity to touch, taste, smell, light or sound, that can interfere with their daily functioning.
A diagnosis of AS is usually made by experienced clinicians using various tools and examining diverse aspects of early development including speech and language, behaviour, interests, and social skills. Most experts agree that the lack of a language delay is an important feature of AS, and is a primary difference between those diagnosed with AS and those diagnosed with classic autism. Indeed, for many individuals with AS, their language skills develop early and their vocabulary is sophisticated and highly developed when compared to their neurotypical peers. Individuals with AS also have at least average intelligence, though for many, their skill profile, as assessed on a classic IQ test for example, is uneven. Even so, some individuals with AS have average IQ scores in the superior range.
What are some co-existing conditions of individuals with AS?
Those with AS may also experience anxiety, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Tourette Syndrome, anxiety, depression and various other learning disabilities. With the right supports and encouragement, many individuals with AS can lead full and independent lives.
What are the strengths of an individual with Asperger Syndrome?
Please note that these are some strengths of AS, not all individuals with AS will have all of these strengths and many will have other strengths that are not listed here
• High IQ
• Attention to details
• High verbal skills
• Memory for details and facts
• Literal interpretations
• Practicality/Logical Thinking
What are some difficulties that an individual with Asperger Syndrome may experience?
Please note that not all individuals with AS will have all of these difficulties.
• A desire for routines and inflexibility to cope with change
• Lack of holistic thinking (getting the big picture)
• Difficulty with abstract verbal reasoning
• Lack of memory of faces or names
• Difficulty understanding figurative language (idioms, slang, etc)
• Difficulty reasoning with or about emotions
• Difficulty picking up social cues
• Difficulty understanding facial expression, gestures
What is the prevalence of Asperger Syndrome?
It is difficult to provide exact numbers of those with AS (as many cases go undiagnosed), but conservative estimates for the prevalence AS range from about 1 to 3 in 500 (Mattilla, 2007; Fombonne & Tidmarsh, 2003).
What are the needs of individuals with AS and their families?
People with AS need to be understood and accepted for who they are. They need professionals and significant others to understand their challenges and be sensitive to how this impacts their lives. Individuals with AS also need to be seen as people who can have the ability and potential to contribute to their community. A strengths-based approach is particularly useful, though individuals with AS may need specific guidance or coaching about how to use their strengths to compensate for their areas of deficit. (Please see the section on Diagnosis and Treatment for more information).
Most individuals with AS have above average or superior verbal IQ’s they but lack “common sense” to help them cope with everyday living. Because of this, they have difficulty initiating and maintaining close relationships and have problems understanding nonverbal communication and social rules. They need support to prevent them from becoming isolated. Individuals with AS are often very socially naïve, can be taken advantage of, or bullied. As such, social and life skill training can be very helpful.
Individuals with AS may react negatively to sensory stimuli, transitions, lack of structure and restrictions. They may be rigid, rule bound and have exaggerated emotional responses to situations. They often have poor organizational skills and attention difficulties. Sometimes they need help learning basic life skills and how to think in more flexible ways. The challenges faced to achieve a balanced life can affect ones mental and emotional health, at times leading to depression and/or anxiety.
The needs of those with AS are often compounded when entering adulthood as they strive to establish their independence, transition to post-secondary education and enter the workforce. They may need to find assistance, through various government services and through peer support or skill development programs to help them with challenges that they may face in these areas that might include access to affordable, appropriate housing, social work, mental health, occupational therapy or educational/employment services.
Families are often under a lot of stress to understand and accommodate the needs of the individual with AS. They may feel isolated or alone as they struggle to cope with the needs to the individual with AS, which can result in higher rates of anxiety or depression. As AS is thought to be a genetic condition, there may be more than one family member with this diagnosis which can further compound the stress experienced on a day to day basis, It is often helpful for families of individuals with AS to arrange for regular respite, access support groups and other mental health services within their communities.
Why are there fewer women/girls with AS than men/boys? Are the needs of women/girls diagnosed with AS different?
The ratio of males to females with autism spectrum disorder is 4:1, however with AS it is 10:1. Given that AS is an autism spectrum condition, there is no reason to expect that the diagnosis of AS and autism would be different, meaning, theoretically, the difference could be undiagnosed women/girls. However, some authors (Tony Attwood, 2006) suggest it is because females tend to have more subtle impairments and are generally more passive than males. Additionally, females with AS may have perseverations or collections, but they are more socially acceptable (e.g. horses, dolls, make believe, fairytales), thus overlooked in terms of a restricted interest. In short, females present differently than males, and this difference often causes them to be overlooked or ruled out when using a diagnostic system designed for males.
Where can I get more information on Asperger Syndrome?
Please check out the links in our resource section to obtain more information regarding Asperger Syndrome. You can also feel free to Contact Us if your questions have not been answered.
Who are some people who had/have Asperger Syndrome, Autism, or may have had Asperger Syndrome or Autism?
*note a lot of the people in history who have been noted to have AS were not formally diagnosed, they may have displayed some similar symptoms, hence the naming of this.
This information was taken www.autism-help.org/aspergers-syndrome-famous-people.htm
• Vernon Smith – Nobel Prize winning economist
• Gary Numan – electro pop rocker
• Craig Nicholls – Lead singer of the Vines
• Satoshi Tajiri – the creator of Pokemon
• Temple Grandin – Animal Behaviourist
• Dan Aykroyd – actor
• Luke Jackson – author
• Daryl Hannah – actress
• Albert Einstein
• Isaac Newton
• Glen Gould – Canadian pianist
• Stanley Kubrick – film director
