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Aspergers Syndrome

Asperger's Syndrome (AS) is classified as an autistic spectrum disorder. People with AS typically have difficulty with social interactions, exibit repetitive behavior, have significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning, have average or above average intelligence, exhibit difficulty with motor coordination, and other differences from the general population.

577 Questions

How do you inform an adult that you think he or she has Asperger's Syndrome?

I think that this question is, if you have a child who has Autism, how do you tell them about their diagnosis. (Is that correct?) I found your question because I am trying to tell my 12 year old daughter, who was dx years ago, about the fact that she has Autism. We just told her very simply tonight that she has Autism, and that means that her brain works a little differently than other kids' brains. We talked about all of her strengths, and also about some of her challenges that are related to her Autism, like the fact that she repeats phrases or words all the time. She was completely fine with the conversation. Now I'm writing a social story that will tell her similar information. Fran

Is there another name for Asperger syndrome?

People with Asperger Syndrome sometimes refer to themselves as Aspies.

Asperger Syndrome is not interchangeable with 'high-functioning autism', it should also be noted that functioning labels are considered to be offensive towards Autistic people - it's determining value based on how well an Autistic person can pretend to be neurotypical, so inherently ableist. Asperger Syndrome is a form of Autism, another name is thus simply: Autism.

How do you know if your child has Asperger's Syndrome?

A person with Aspergers' Syndrome will not talk much, not be very brave or courageous, he'll be normally nervous, sometimes talk back, and not be very reasonable in minor cases.

In major cases, they're basically vegetables, they have zero concern or respect for anyone they don't like, they like to think that they know everything, they bully, and normally gang up on someone without Aspergers' or someone with a minor case.

A:

I am an adult with Asperger's and since being diagnosed I can now tell if others have the condition. I believe that there will be many people like myself who never knew about Asperger's itself let alone know that they have the condition. Asperger's covers a wide range of 'symptoms' 'difficulties' and 'oddities'. Adults with Asperger's generally don't like working in teams unless their role in the team is clearly defined and it is one where they feel confident. Sometimes an adult with Aspergers will repeat themselves in conversations, answer questions inappropriately. Social interaction is difficult because non verbal communication is often not understood. Although the diagnostic criteria and other professionals talk about 'special interests' many people with Asperger's dont in fact have these. However they may go through a period of time having obsessions about certain things. I will describe some of my own personal difficulties, visual spacial, often getting lost, not understanding if people are being serious or joking, unable to multi task (I am a female), very few friendships, easily upset with things like plans changing, people being late,

When was Asperger's first included in the DSM?

Asperger's Syndrome as an Official Diagnosis:

In 1994, Asperger's Syndrome was added to the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) published by the American Psychiatric Association, which is the primary reference in the United States. The European equivalent of the DSM published by the World Health Organization is known as the ICD (International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems). It included Asperger's Syndrome in the 1992 publication. These are the two major references, so publication in them is when it would be considered an "official" diagnosis. So, it became an "official" diagnosis in 1992 in Europe and in 1994 in the United States.

Brief History of Asperger's Syndrome Prior to Becoming an Official Diagnosis:

Hans Asperger, an Austrian pediatrician, studied children with a condition he labeled "autistic psychopathy", for which some research was published in 1944. His work was not well-known because most of it was only published in German and not translated for decades.

A description of a condition labeled "Asperger's syndrome" by Lorna Wing first appeared in 1981. The condition was not clearly described until 1989-1991 by several different researchers who had been studying it separately. Lars Christopher Gillberg, who has done significant research on autism and Asperger's Syndrome, developed criteria published in 1989 that is considered by those who actually work with children to be more accurate than either the DSM or ICD. Peter Szatmari also proposed diagnostic criteria for Asperger's Syndrome in 1989. So, there were diagnoses of the condition prior to publication in the DSM and ICD.

What is life like to be married with a person with autism?

Well, if you really love him/her the autism shouldn't affect your marriage it should only affect how they function.

Are there support groups for people with Asperger's Syndrome?

Yes. There are online and local support groups. There are support groups for individuals with Asperger's Syndrome and for the families of individuals with AS.

If you go to the OAASIS website listed in the "Related Links" section, it has information on support groups.

Would a person with Munchausen by proxy simulate Asperger's Syndrome in a child?

Before pediatricians and psychiatrists were familiar with Asperger's Syndrome, some of them thought the parents who said there was something wrong with their children were exaggerating, delusional, over-protective, and, in some cases, abusive parents with Munchausen by proxy. (For mention of parents being thought to have Munchausen by proxy because their children had AS, see the links below.)

I do not know of Munchausen by proxy cases where the parent or guardian attempted to make the child appear to have Asperger's Syndrome, but this does not mean it has not happened. There are other conditions that would be easier to fake by giving the child medicines or chemicals, since some of the social skills impairments (lack of eye contact, avoidance of social contact) would be harder to replicate with drugs. However, many medical professionals' unfamiliarity with Asperger's Syndrome diagnoses could make it an attractive option for Munchausen by proxy, since the professionals might not have been exposed to it previously. Asperger's Syndrome also has the advantage of not being able to be diagnosed with laboratory tests. However, using Asperger's Syndrome means the parent might need to engage in lengthy descriptions of AS before receiving the desired sympathy and attention from others. Unfortunately, I cannot give you a definitive answer on whether the condition of Asperger's has been the goal of an abusive parent via Munchausen by proxy.

What actors have Asperger's Syndrome?

I don't know too many but guranteed muscians with Asperger's are Micheal Jackson and Ludwing van Beethoven. I think Serj Tankian from System of a Down shows some signs of it (great style of his music, excellent poet, etc.)

Comment:Michael Jackson was never diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome. Ludwig van Beethoven lived before Asperger's Syndrome was recognized as a condition, so we do not know if he had it, although some people speculate that he did. Some people with Asperger's Syndrome are exceptional at music, while other are not. Musical talent does not indicate Asperger's Syndrome.

What are the similarities between autism and Asperger's Syndrome?

Well to clarify, Asperger's Syndrome is within the Autism Spectrum Disorders. So it would help if you were more specific. But Asperger's Syndrome is classified as High Functioning Autism. Symptoms are commonly associated with social dysfunctions and antisocial behavior. Children with AS tend to be smart and have similar symptoms to that of OCD (obsessive Compulsive Disorder), having an ability to "zero in" on specific topics and often repeating speech and behavior.

Autism, or the most common form associated in the media, is defined by the ASFA as:

A complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first two years of life and is the result of a neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain, impacting development in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Both children and adults on the autism spectrum typically show difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities.

Autism is one of five disorders that fall under the umbrella of Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD), a category of neurological disorders characterized by "severe and pervasive impairment in several areas of development." (Copied from http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_whatis)

All of the disorders within the Spectrum have symptoms of social dysfunction of one degree or another. Whether it is lack of speech or general communication or inability to understand social cues.

Does Woody Allen have Asperger's Syndrome?

It's conceivable. He doesn't seem to have interests other than baseball and music. And I'd imagine that someone who does have Asperger's would want to pretend to be confident and flirty in movies like he does.

Are Jewish people more likely to have aspergers syndrome?

Religion itself does not affect ones chances of developing mental or physical conditions. However, there is also an ethnic component to being Jewish. Because people of an ethnic group are more likely to marry others who share their ethnicity, they would have greater chances of sharing the same genes for certain illnesses. That explains why Jewish persons (as well as Cajuns and southeastern Canadians) are more likely to have children with Tay-Sachs Disease.

There is no evidence that ethnic Jews are more likely to have Asperger's Syndrome.

One factor in Aspergers and autism seem to be low vitamin D levels prenatally and during infancy. There are genetic variations in the vitamin D receptors, meaning that some people need much more. To help explain differences by gender, females seem to have a slight less need for vitamin D. So add all these factors together, and it would seem that males of African descent, born with the variant vitamin D genes living in a place like Russia or Canada born to vitamin D deficient mothers who breastfeed would have a much greater chance of developing autism and related disorders than others.

If a person has Asperger's Syndrome are they automatically barred from the military?

Unfortunately not. Not if you are an American citizen or legally-resident alien.

The United States Marine Corps adheres to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, and as such, it expressly disqualifies persons with any mental-health conditions that may be considered adverse from joining its ranks under any conditions.

It may be possible to join the US Army with the mild form of autism called Asperger's Syndrome.

How do you deal with a friend at school with Asperger's Syndrome?

Well be patient with a person who has that asperger's syndrome. cause their is a medicine for but it a sign it come from the father or mother. so you can read up on more about this. it a balance in the brain that doesn't wont to work. some people are born with it don't know they got it.

Try not to ridicule your friend or alienate him/her for their lack of understanding. If you want to take the time to explain things to the friend, then YOU will have a friend for life.


A:

Since, Asperger Syndrome is called a developmental disorder, not a mental illness and most adults with Asperger Syndrome can learn how to make friends, do useful work and live successful lives.

I am pretty sure that the treatment lies in sticking with a friend, being patient and telling him/her repetitively on how to behave with the people he/she encounters. Before doing that. you need to make sure that you are in his/her good books and also you shouldn't feel bad or loose hope if the person suffering does not behave with you properly. If you don't think that you have the patience to do the same, you should leave the person alone.


A:You treat them with the same respect and civility as you would anyone else.

They tend to have lesser social skills and can react a bit more to erratic behavior but you shouldn't be afraid of them at all.

Did Thomas Jefferson have Asperger's Syndrome?

We cannot know after the fact whether he had Asperger's Syndrome (AS), but biographical descriptions of him do not indicate the collection of symptoms that would make it likely that he had one. So, it is probably more likely that he did not have it than that he did. However, if he did have AS, it is possible that those characteristics that would have made it seem more likely that he had AS were not recorded or minimized as little quirks or eccentricities.

Traits that make some people think he might have had Asperger's Syndrome are that he grew marijuana, was worried about being buried alive, and allegedly had to borrow money for his inauguration ceremony. One hypothesis is that he grew marijuana to self-medicate Asperger's Syndrome, self-medicating being something that some people with autism spectrum disorders, ADD, or depression do with intoxicants. Another is that his fear of being buried alive and thus instructed that burial be postponed three days to be sure he was dead indicates a perseverative fear and adherence to an ineffective ritual, a trait occurring in some people with Asperger's Syndrome. The need to borrow money is thought to possibly indicate the poor money management skills of some people with Asperger's Syndrome.

Why do people posting in forums suggest that seductive behaviors in children indicate autism or Asperger's Syndrome?

From my own personal experience and from some data I have seen, I'll take a stab ath this question. People suggest that children with high-fuctioning autism or Asperger's Syndrome are "seductive" because they are un-educated about the background of asperger's or autism. People who have this "condition" are not very adept at reading the small naunces of societal norms. Which include, nonverbal behavior, social norms and boundaries. These boundaries include such things as personal space. So it would be possible that a child sufferering from autism or Asperger's Syndrome to be open to be grabbing a stranger's hand or hugging indiscriminately. On the same token, they will step into a stranger's personal space or maintain unbroken eye contact. The list goes on and on. I do not see how this behavior can be seen as "seductive". But I suppose everyone has their interpretation, unfortunately.

Is it autism or delays caused by Jacobsen syndrome?

Firstly, it's possible it could be both at once. Jacobsen Syndrome (11q deletion) describes an underlying cause of the child's problems, while autism describes the behavioral characteristics present in the child. Autism can have many possible causes, with Jacobsen Syndrome being one of them. It's kind of like saying 'is it a fever or is it measles?'

Diagnosing autism in a child with Jacobsen Syndrome poses the same challenges as diagnosing it in any child with cognitive disabilities. Both autism and cognitive disabilities will cause delays in social and language skills. However, in autism, these delays are more severe than their level of ability in other areas would predict (eg a child may be able to complete puzzles designed for 8 year olds, but have the social skills of a toddler). In addition, autism causes abnormal behavior as well as delays.

Socially, many autistic kids show a lack of interest in social interaction, which is not typical of any age level. Many autistic kids avoid eye contact as well. In addition, autistic kids who are verbal may show echoing of sentences or phrases out of context, known as delayed echolalia.

Furthermore, autistic kids typically show unusually repetitive behavior. This includes odd motor mannerisms such as hand-flapping or rocking, intense interests in specific areas (eg fascination with lampposts), or insistence on certain routines or rituals. These behaviors can sometimes be seen in non-autistic kids with cognitive disabilities, but is more extreme in autistic children.

Since Jacobsen Syndrome is not very well-known, if the child's needs are similar to autistic children a diagnosis of autism could be useful for therapeutic purposes. If you think your child is showing autistic traits, consult a psychologist.

Can people with hypotonia have Asperger's Syndrome?

Hypotonia is a term describing the condition of decreased muscle tone, also known as floppy infant syndrome. Some people with Asperger's Syndrome or autism have hypotonia. It is common for people with Asperger's Syndrome and autism to have some motor control or muscular difficulties, but not necessarily hypotonia. There are many conditions that can co-occur with hypotonia, such as Down syndrome, muscular dystrophy, and cerebral palsy.

Do adults with Asperger's Syndrome look younger than what they are?

Sometimes. I still looked like I was in Junior High School when I became a High School senior!

Can Asperger's Syndrome kill you?

Not directly. There is a higher rate of suicide among teens with Asperger's Syndrome than among neurotypical teens. During the years that many teens feel peer pressure and that they don't belong, it is often worse for those with Asperger's Syndrome.

Also, people with Asperger's Syndrome sometimes engage in self-harming activities such as banging one's head against the wall. Self-harm is not the goal, but it can happen. No. It is not a disease. It is a neurological disorder. People with Asperger's syndrome have difficulty with social interaction, communication and can have obsessions/compulsions about certain objects or activities. People with Asperger's can be extremely intelligent, and generally are high-functioning.

How do you pronounce Asperger's?

as-per-gurz. or,

"ah" as in la, (bold letters meaning the sound it makes,)

sper, pronounced like spur

gurz, as in hamburgers

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It's pronounced "Au/ah-sper/spur-ger/gurs"

Try not to say "ass-per-gurs", most people say it that way but that is not the proper way to pronounce it. It has a German dialect. The best I can advise is to just pronounce it "Aus-Per-Gurs" but even that is not technically right but closer than "ass-per-gurs"

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It can be pronounced as-per-jers or as-per-gers. It does not have to have a hard 'g' sound.

What is the Lever congenital ambrosius?

I believe you may be referring to: congenital amaurosis - this entity refers to partial or total loss of vision.

What are some jobs that someone with Asperger's Syndrome could do successfully?

  • Good careers for people with Asperger's Syndrome can vary depending on the individual, but in general careers where the person can work alone are sometimes better. These can include home-based business and computer programmer. Analytical type jobs are also good, such as mathematician and engineer.
  • Some people with AS like to categorize, so librarian might be good.
  • They can do a lot of things. As a mother, I just wondered that myself because you find so much for children, but my son was 14 before we found out he had Asperger's even though I had been saying he had it from the time he was 8. You, as a mother or father, can know them and will know what is best to turn their job interest to. Like my son could never work at Wal-Mart for all the people and noise and lights, but he and you might find it surprising that he is a security guard. It's quiet and I think he could do small group work. His thing is 4 wheelers so I work with rehab services to do job placement and training. They can help with education after high school too.
  • Even when the job might otherwise be too stressful, if it is related to one of the person's special interest areas, that can be enough to make him or her able to handle it. Also, they seem less likely to get bored with repetition since they tend to find comfort in routines, so they can be better able to handle repetitive jobs that require attention to detail. Consider professions where the person can work individually, rather than on a team; where the structure of the job is rule-based and predictable; or where they can help others.

    They can handle jobs that deal with facts or logic, such as computer scientists, software designers, engineers, scientific researchers, physicists, and mathematicians. Because of their interest in fairness and justice, lawyer or police officer works for some. Because of their desire to help people, medical researcher or pathologist can work well. Telephone order taking or survey taking can work for some because they have scripts and do not require face-to-face interaction. Because of the intense focus on a few special interests, they might pursue an interest as far as a PhD and become a professor. They often feel more comfortable with animals, so might find a job that involves more animals than people.

    People with Asperger's Syndrome are more likely to be bullied or taken advantage of in the workplace. Some of them assume that whatever the supervisor tells them is true, so they do not question it, which makes it very easy for a supervisor to abuse them. (However, some are very set in their own ways of doing things and question everything.) It is beneficial for them to know the basics of employment law, so that if a supervisor tells them something different, they know better. For example, in the United States, being told that he or she can only be paid for the scheduled work shift, even though the final task ran into overtime is illegal. Also, necessary preparation for doing the job must be paid, such as making photocopies before a meeting, turning on and signing on to computers, or reading the updates on how to do your job that the employer gives you. In addition, the person should know that being told that he or she must postpone lunch break to finish the task might be illegal, depending on how long the break is postponed, since the rule is that lunch break must be taken before six hours into the shift. And other good rules to know about lunch break are when it is acceptable for your supervisor to have you stay through lunch (a working lunch), that working lunches must be paid, and under what conditions a supervisor can restrict you from leaving the building for lunch (rarely). It is beneficial for the person with Asperger's Syndrome to have someone to go to for advice and answers if he or she thinks something at work does not seem right.

    Temple Grandin, a person with high-functioning autism, prepared a list of suggested jobs for people with autism or Asperger's Syndrome, as well as pointing out a few that would not work well. For more information on that, see the links below.

  • Although it is a less common occupation, I'm a physician and I have what is termed profound AS. I also have a colleague with AS who is a doctor; she's a surgeon, whereas I'm a family doctor. It does take a great deal of work for me to work as a family doctor, however, and I have been known to be "blunt" with patients and am often "rude" to colleagues. Fortunately my co-workers know I have AS and make some adjustments for me, but also feel free to let me know when I'm being, shall we say, rude. I've found my attention to detail has helped me diagnose many patients who had an inaccurate diagnosis from other doctors. My colleague the surgeon finds that she is highly focused and is growing into one of the top surgeons in her field (neurosurgery) and she believes this is partly due to her AS. One area I think AS helps me in the most is when I do my shifts driving a rapid response car for the ambulance. I've found my ability to ignore outside issues and just get on with what needs doing has probably saved a few people's lives.
  • I have Asperger's and have always had an obsessive interest in things that interested me. One of these was Marine Corps Aviation. I write articles and books on the subject and have become known worldwide as an expert on the subject. It is amusing when I can attend a gathering and read someone's name tag, and tell him when and where he was in a squadron that I researched (in a few cases, I knew more about an event than they did: and they were there!). I went to college and earned a degree in Finance. I found that working in a bank with other people was undesirable - I didn't understand the cliques, office politics, or the like - so I got a Commercial Drivers license, and wrote articles on Marine Aviation while I drove all over the US and Canada.

I think a locomotive engineer or train engineer would be a good occupation for someone with Asperger's Syndrome because a lot of people with Asperger's seem to like trains and there is not alot of socialization just skills in operating a locomotive. Or possibly a pilot. Or even a cartographer because alot of people with Asperger's like physical geography and looking at maps.

It depends on what they are interested in.