Aspergers Syndrome

Laura Debenham

"People with autism spend more time doing things they are not good at than anyone else." Toni Atwood

Definition
Aspergers Syndrome (AS) is a developmental disability that is defined by impairments in social relationships, verbal and nonverbal communication, and by restrictive, repetitive patterns of behaviors,

interests, and activities.

Background

Identified in 1944 by Hans Asperger. (Austria) Brought to the attention of the English-speaking world in 1980 by Dr. Lorna Wing. Was not added to the Diagnostic and Statistics Manual of the American Psychiatric Association until 1994. Autisms Shadow

Causes

There seems to be a hereditary component Environmental factors that affect brain development might play a role

Not caused by:

Emotional deprivation Bad parenting

Incidence Rates

48 out every 10,000 children

(Kadesjo, Gillberg, & Nagberg, 1999)

Famous Aspies...

Albert Einstein Henry Ford Thomas Edison Thomas Jefferson Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Isaac Newton Henry Thoreau Mark Twain Vincent Van Gogh John Denver Alfred Hitchcock Howard Hughes

Andy Warhol Warhol Woody Allen Allen Bill Gates Al Gore John Nash Keanu Reeves Alex P. Keaton P. Keaton Cliff Clavin from Cheers

Lisa Simpson and Moe from Mo's tavern

Mr Bean Steve Urkel Calvin of Calvin and Hobbes Frankenstein's Monster Ludwig van Beethoven

Think S P E N C E R

S Sensory Sensitivities

P Pragmatic Language Skills Impaired

E Emotional Connection N Narrow Interest Range C Clumsiness with Motor Skills E Environment that is Predictable

R Rigidity of Thought

S Sensory Sensitivities

Don't excuse it or make the child feel bad about feeling bad Intense or under reactive to a sensation

Clothing

Slight bump by another

Florescent lights Hug = squeeze

P Pragmatic Skills Impaired

They see language as a way to share information They want to receive information correctly, sussincly and without emotion. May use diologue from pop culture to communicate They have a profound interest in words.

Challenge him to memorize

Provide music, theater and nonfiction books

E Emotional Connection Impaired

Hewasnotbornwiththesixthsense. Since you cannot teach him to emote, appeal to other senses. Conversation turn-taking Perspective taking

They can be overly dependent on care-giver

Point out how he slips up Explain what others are doing socially

Alyson Bradley's self-portrait, Full Circle, representing some of her feelings about living with Asperger's Syndrome.

N Narrow Interest Range

Few interests but they dominate

Special interest
Encourage reading Use his special interest to teach social skills

An enriched environment will encourage broadening of the interest range

Protect him. Be aware of the special dangers of early sexuality.

C Clumsy Motor Skills

Let the schedule work for you

Encourage trying new things

E Environment Predictability

Importance of structure and routine Talk about changes way before they happen so he can plan.

If you have to be spontaneous, communicate to him the reasons so he can have some control.

R Rigidity of Thought

Mindblindedness inability to determine what others are thinking. They tend to take things literally. Need for time alone to reconstruct social interactions.

Resources continued
Sohn, A. (1998). Parenting Your Asperger Child: Individualized Solutions for Teaching Your Child Practical Skills. Philadelphia, PA: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, Ltd.

Resources continued
Attwood, T. (1998). Aspergers Syndrome:A guide for parents and professionals. Philadelphia, PA: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, Ltd.