Asperger syndrome is a profound developmental disorder and a form of autism. It was named after the Austrian physician Hans Asperger, who described four boys as “autistic” in 1944, and is sometimes incorrectly spelled Asberger syndrome. Along with the much rarer Kanner syndrome, it represents one of the most common forms of autism.
Signs of Asperger’s
Asperger syndrome is a milder form of autism than Kanner syndrome. Affected individuals primarily have impaired interpersonal behavior, rather than general mental or physical development. Thus, children suffering from Asperger syndrome learn to speak without delays. Thinking also develops normally and they show interest in their environment. They have difficulties in social interactions: They rarely or never make eye contact and their facial expressions are emotionless. They have difficulty deciphering gestures and facial expressions, and metaphors make no sense to them because they take what is said completely literally. Children with Asperger syndrome often even have an amazingly large vocabulary and sometimes even seem pedantic. Adults with Asperger syndrome are often loners, but can usually integrate into society and hold down a job.
Diagnosis “Asperger’s Syndrome”
The diagnosis of “Asperger’s syndrome” should be made only by a specialized doctor or psychologist and only after a detailed and repeated examination of the child. The criteria for diagnosing Asperger syndrome are set forth in the diagnostic manual of the American Psychiatric Association (APA), the DSM-5. In this, Asperger’s syndrome has been included in the so-called autism spectrum disorders since 2013 and is no longer delineated by its own diagnostic criteria. In summary, the diagnosis is made when the following symptoms occur to such an extent that the educational, professional or social life of the affected person is significantly restricted:
- Social interactions are qualitatively impaired, for example, in the form of lack of facial expressions and gestures in conversation and lack of eye contact. There is little or no interest in social interactions, and relationships appropriate to the age are not established.
- Restricted, repetitive or inflexible behavior, for example, in the form of seemingly meaningless routines that must be performed in a certain way over and over again, or in the form of movement patterns that are always repeated, or persistent and exaggerated interest in certain details.
The symptoms must be present in early childhood, but only show themselves in full when the social demands increase.
Delineate Kanner syndrome
To differentiate from Kanner syndrome, it must also be established in children that language development is not delayed. This means that at the age of about two years the first single words are used and at the age of about three years the first communicative phrases are used. The child should be independent according to his age and show general interest in his environment. Similar disorders such as ADHD, Tourette’s syndrome, schizophrenia or obsessive-compulsive disorder must be ruled out.
Treating Asperger’s
An important step in the treatment of Asperger’s syndrome is making the diagnosis. Knowing the idiosyncrasies of the disorder allows parents, teachers, friends, or colleagues to better relate to the affected individual. An accurate diagnosis also makes it possible to treat the affected person in a targeted manner. Ideally, treatment for a child with autism should begin between the ages of two and three, but many Asperger’s autistic individuals reach adulthood without ever being diagnosed and treated. Every case of autism is different, which means an individualized treatment plan must be designed, usually involving different therapists, but also teachers, parents, and possibly siblings or friends. Central to this is making it easier for the affected person to communicate with those around them.
Communication training as therapy for Asperger’s
Standard procedures are therefore communication training, in which Asperger’s sufferers learn how social interactions work, how to recognize feelings in the other person and what these mean. Children with Asperger’s syndrome should – if possible – go to a normal school in order to come into contact with healthy peers as regularly as possible.Behavior therapy can help reduce specific fears and decrease stereotyped behaviors. Occupational therapy may be appropriate to address subtle motor difficulties, such as writing. Many people affected by Asperger syndrome have very specific interests and talents, often in the areas of art and music. It is important to discover and encourage these in people affected by Asperger’s.
