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What is Asperger syndrome?
Asperger syndrome (AS) is a developmental disorder that is
characterized by:
• 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, choosing instead to remain alone.
• 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
AS 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 AS
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 AS retain their early language skills. Motor development delays –
crawling or walking late, clumsiness – are sometimes the first
indicator of the disorder.
The incidence of AS 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 AS.
Studies of children with AS 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, AS 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 AS in adult populations.
Famous People with Asperger's
A disorder that left them socially impaired, gave them an ability that none could match. Find out about famous people with Asperger's and what they achieved.
Famous People with Asperger's Syndrome
Albert Einstein, Benjamin Franklin, Isaac Newton, Bill Gates, Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock, Jane Austen, Hans Christian Andersen, Michelangelo, Wolfgang Mozart, Woody Allen, Michael Jackson, AND Sheldon on the TV show BIG BANG, Heee Heee!
Many children, who are diagnosed at a very young age with Asperger's Syndrome have above average intelligence, but poor social skills.
( Remember? I told you guys I built a Steam Turbine ( in our troy ny kitchen ) in the third grade! And learned ALL of basic chemistry {both organic and inorganic} by the 4th. grade. )
Their abnormality in behavior makes them antisocial. Probably it is this disadvantage of the disorder that has been an asset to the world. Though these children suffer at the altar of friendship, they find their true calling easier than normal contemporaries do. Children with AS need parental support, encouragement and guidance to materialize their intelligence.
Please Note: Since Asperger's Syndrome was included in the World Health Organization's diagnostic manual, International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) in 1992 and in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) in 1994, it is a recently recognized condition and therefore some of the examples listed above are only of a speculative nature since they cannot be confirmed.
What are some common signs or symptoms?
Children with Asperger syndrome may have speech marked by a lack of
rhythm, an odd inflection, or a monotone pitch. They often lack the
ability to modulate the volume of their voice to match their
surroundings. For example, they may have to be reminded to talk softly
every time they enter a library or a movie theatre.
Unlike the severe withdrawal from the rest of the world that is
characteristic of autism, children with Asperger syndrome are isolated
because of their poor social skills and narrow interests. Children
with the disorder will gather enormous amounts of factual information
about their favorite subject and will talk incessantly about it, but
the conversation may seem like a random collection of facts or
statistics, with no point or conclusion. They may approach other
people, but make normal conversation difficult by eccentric behaviors
or by wanting only to talk about their singular interest.
Many children with AS are highly active in early childhood, but some
may not reach milestones as early as other children regarding motor
skills such as pedaling a bike, catching a ball, or climbing outdoor
play equipment. They are often awkward and poorly coordinated with a
walk that can appear either stilted or bouncy.
Some children with AS may develop anxiety or depression in young
adulthood. Other conditions that often co-exist with Asperger syndrome
are Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), tic disorders
(such as Tourette syndrome), depression, anxiety disorders, and
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
And yaz can get the whole story here: www.wrongplanet.net
