What is

If you would like to know more about autism and

Asperger syndrome or would like to make a
donation, please complete the details below: What does the future hold?
How The National Autistic Society can help The National Autistic Prospects Employment
At present, there are few facilities specifically for children Consultancy
Society Tel: 020 7704 7450
with Asperger syndrome. Some children are in The National Autistic Society, established in 1962, has Headquarters
Personal Details: mainstream schools where their progress depends on the grown into the UK’s foremost organisation for people 393 City Road, London
Fax: 020 7359 9440
Email: prospects@nas.org.uk
Title (Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms/Other) support and encouragement of parents, carers and with autism and those who care for them, spearheading EC1V 1NG
teachers. Some children with Asperger syndrome go to national and international initiatives and providing a Switchboard: 020 7833 2299
Development and Outreach
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specialist schools for children with autism or learning strong voice for autism. The organisation works in many and Training
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Address disabilities. areas to help people with autism and Asperger Castle Heights, 4th Floor
Email: nas@nas.org.uk
syndrome live their lives with as much independence as 72 Maid Marian Way
www.nas.org.uk
Nottingham NG1 6BJ
Because their disability is often less obvious than that of possible.
Postcode Tel: 0115 911 3360
someone with autism, a person with Asperger syndrome Useful Telephone Numbers
Fax: 0115 911 2259
Telephone is, in a sense, more vulnerable. They can, sadly, be an Autism Helpline: 0870 600 8585
Email: development@nas.org.uk
Today the NAS: Education advice line:
easy target for teasing or bullying at school.
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runs education and adult centres
0800 358 8667
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Tel: 0115 911 3363/67
As they get older, they may realise that they are different
supports local authorities in the development of their Information: 020 7903 3599
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from other people and feel isolated and depressed. own specialist services Press: 020 7903 3593
Email: training@nas.org.uk
Publications on autism and Asperger syndrome Publications: 020 7903 3595
People with Asperger syndrome often want to be Email: conference@nas.org.uk
NAS membership sociable and are upset by the fact that they find it hard
publishes a range of books and leaflets
NAS Scotland
Local Groups/Branches/Societies to make friends.
has a library that parents and researchers can use Volunteers co-ordination
Central Chambers

Asperger
Training, courses and conferences Tel: 0115 911 3369
by appointment 109 Hope Street
Fax: 0115 911 3362
Please do not include me in any future mailing But the future for people with Asperger syndrome does Glasgow G2 6LL

runs an autism helpline for parents and carers and Email: volunteering@nas.org.uk
not have to be bleak. Adults with Asperger syndrome Tel: 0141 221 8090
can and do go on to live fulfilling lives, to further people with autistic spectrum disorders Fax: 0141 221 8118
I would like to make a donation of: Parent to Parent
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syndrome?
£75 £50 £30 £20 £10 education and employment and to develop friendships.
organises conferences and training programmes Tel: 0800 9 520 520

Other (please enter amount) £
co-ordinates the work of volunteers on nationwide NAS Wales
In the workplace, people with Asperger syndrome can The Centre for Social and
Glamorgan House, Monastery Road
offer a great deal – punctuality, reliability and dedication parent to parent and befriending schemes Communication Disorders
I enclose a cheque/postal order made payable to: Neath Abbey SA10 7DH
Elliot House
The National Autistic Society – though informed and understanding employers and
offers specialist diagnosis and assessment services Tel: 01792 325 297
113 Masons Hill
colleagues are essential. Email: Wales@nas.org.uk
or Bromley

encourages research into the causes of autism
Please debit my Access/Visa/Mastercard/Switch/Debit card Kent BR2 9HT
Services Division – for details of

supports local groups and families around the Tel: 020 8466 0098
Start date Expiry date NAS schools and adult centres
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country Church House, Church Road
Issue number (switch only)
Filton, Bristol BS34 7BD

raises awareness and creates a better understanding
Card no Tel: 0117 974 8400
of autism Fax: 0117 987 2576
Email: services@nas.org.uk
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provides consultancy to professionals and
organisations working in the field of autism
The National Autistic Society is a
Address/Contact for Local Society/Branch

offers an accreditation programme for autism-specific Company limited by guarantee.
education and care services Registered in England No. 1205298.
Registered Office: 393 City Road,

runs Prospects, a supported employment service for London. EC1V 1NG. Registered as a
adults with autistic spectrum disorders Charity No 269425.

2003-3-204

All donations gratefully received.

As soon as we meet a person we make
judgements about them. Just by looking we
can often guess their age or status, and by the
expression on their face or the tone of their
voice we can usually tell whether they are
happy, angry or sad and respond accordingly.
Not everyone has this natural ability. People with Asperger
syndrome find it more difficult to read the signals which
most of us take for granted. As a result they find it more
difficult to communicate and interact with others. This
leaflet explains the characteristics of Asperger syndrome
and what can be done to help those affected.
Asperger syndrome is a form of autism, a condition that
affects the way a person communicates and relates to
others. A number of the traits of autism are common to
Asperger syndrome including:

difficulty in communicating

difficulty in social relationships

a lack of imagination and creative play
However, people with Asperger syndrome usually have
fewer problems with language than those with autism,
often speaking fluently, though their words can sometimes
sound formal or stilted. People with Asperger syndrome do
not usually have the accompanying learning disabilities
associated with autism; in fact, people with Asperger
syndrome are often of average or above average
intelligence.
Because of this many children with Asperger syndrome
enter mainstream school and, with the right support and
encouragement, can make good progress and go on to
further education and employment.
Key characteristics
Asperger syndrome shares many of the same
characteristics as autism.
The key characteristics are:
Difficulty with social relationships
Unlike the person with ‘classic’ autism, who often appears
withdrawn and uninterested in the world around them,
many people with Asperger syndrome want to be sociable
and enjoy human contact. They do still find it hard to
understand non-verbal signals, including facial
expressions, which makes it more difficult for them to form
and maintain social relationships with people unaware of
their needs.
Difficulty with communication
People with Asperger syndrome may speak fluently but
they may not take much notice of the reaction of people
listening to them; they may talk on and on regardless of
the listener’s interest or they may appear insensitive to their
feelings.
Despite having good language skills, people with Asperger
syndrome may sound over-precise or over-literal - jokes
can cause problems as can exaggerated language, turns of
phrase and metaphors. A person with Asperger syndrome
may be confused or frightened by a statement like ‘she bit
my head off’. In order to help a person with Asperger
syndrome to understand you, keep your sentences short –
be clear and concise.
Lack of imagination
While they often excel at learning facts and figures,
people with Asperger syndrome find it hard to think in
abstract ways. This can cause problems for children in
school where they may have difficulty with certain
subjects, such as literature or religious studies.
Special interests
People with Asperger syndrome often develop an almost
obsessive interest in a hobby or collecting. Usually their
interest involves arranging or memorising facts about a
special subject, such as train timetables, Derby winners
or the dimensions of cathedrals.
‘I remember Samuel reciting the distances of all
the planets from the sun to a baffled classmate in
the playground when he was five. Since then he
has had many obsessions, which he loves to talk
about at length! Some of his more recent
interests, such as the Top 40 chart and collecting
trading cards, have helped him develop social
skills, as he has been able to share them with
others.’
Susan Robinson, a parent
With encouragement interests can be developed so that
people with Asperger syndrome go on to study or work
in their favourite subjects.
Love of routines
People with Asperger syndrome often find change
upsetting. Young children may impose their routines,
such as insisting on always walking the same route to
school. At school, they may get upset by sudden
changes, such as an alteration to the timetable. People
with Asperger syndrome often prefer to order their day
according to a set pattern. If they work set hours then
any unexpected delay, such as a traffic hold-up, or a
late train, can make them anxious or upset.
‘Simon’s employers used to send him out on
errands, delivering urgent letters to City firms.
Simon enjoyed these duties and performed them
punctually but he got extremely upset if delays
on the bus or Underground interfered with his
schedule.
Anton Barber, a parent
These are the main features of the condition, but because
every person is an individual, these characteristics will
vary greatly and some may be demonstrated more
strongly than others.
What causes Asperger syndrome?
The causes of autism and Asperger syndrome are still
being investigated. Many experts believe that the pattern
of behaviour from which Asperger syndrome is
diagnosed may not result from a single cause. There is
strong evidence to suggest that Asperger syndrome can
be caused by a variety of physical factors, all of which
affect brain development - it is not due to emotional
deprivation or the way a person has been brought up.
Is there a cure?
Asperger syndrome is a developmental condition mean that their particular needs may go unrecognised
affecting the way the brain processes information and and parents may blame themselves, or worse still blame
there is no ‘cure’; children with Asperger syndrome their child for their unusual behaviour.
become adults with Asperger syndrome. Much can be
achieved to make life less challenging with appropriate ‘We were lucky to have a relatively early
education and support. diagnosis for Samuel. As a result, he has had the
necessary support and understanding to be able
With time and patience people with Asperger syndrome
to attend mainstream primary and secondary
can be taught to develop the basic skills needed for
everyday life, such as how to communicate school. The staff at his secondary school were
appropriately with people. given a training session on Aspergers Syndrome
before he started. Of course, there are sometimes
The importance of early diagnosis problems but he is never just treated as a
Because the condition of people with Asperger syndrome 'difficult' child, which could easily be the case if
is not as marked as the condition of people with autism, his condition were not understood.’
they may not be diagnosed for a long time. This can Susan Robinson, a parent