Asperger’s Syndrome:
A look into a new face of Autism Spectrum Disorders
By
John Grove
Autism has many faces and facets involved in a complex disorder. Autism is a distinct group of complex disorders that involve issues with communicative disorders, social impairment as well as other complexities such as restrictive, repetitive, and stereotyped behavior. Autism Spectrum Disorders include disorders such as Asperger’s, Autistic Disorder, Pervasive Development Disorder, and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder. Asperger’s Syndrome is considered by many to be the least debilitative of the Autism Spectrum Disorders. It is considered that with treatment the individuals with Asperger’s will function in daily life with little
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It was officially changed to Asperger’s syndrome in 1992, and was listed with the World Health Organization in 1994 when it was listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Asperger’s syndrome has many different signs or symptoms including things such as speech that has a lack of rhythm or odd inflections, or even a monotone inflection when speaking. They often lack an ability to match their voice volumes to the environment that they are in. They talk about a singular interest and can become bored or disinterested with anything that does not revolved around that singular interest. They gather fact and data about the singular interest and will work to interject that interest into any conversation so that the new conversation will revolve around that interest. Some children may have more than one interest but generally not more than a couple. Their lives revolve singularly around these interests and any other social behavior is awkward and difficult for them to handle. It is noted that individuals can be long winded and have little regard to another’s feelings during a conversation. They hijack the conversation and make it about what they think is important so that they can stay interested in the conversation. They can also have problems making eye contact with others especially those that they do not trust or have a personal bond with. They are generally known for having a hard
Besides the poor communication skills and resulting in awkward social behavior of Asperger’s Syndrome, there are also the physical aspects. People with Asperger’s Syndrome have a heightened sensitivity to loud noises, lights, or even certain colors. For example, they may not be able to wear certain kinds of materials because the fabric will irritate the skin. Often, they have strong taste buds and are sensitive to different textures. Additionally, they may have a rigid walk or an odd posture. Likewise, motor coordination is usually lacking making simple tasks such as handwriting, opening a jar, or catching a ball a struggle. The lack of motor skills makes it difficult to play team
Problems with social skills include difficulty interacting with others, are often awkward in social situations, and have difficulty starting and maintaining a conversation. Individuals with Asperger’s syndrome may develop odd, repetitive movements, such as hand twitching or finger twisting. They might also develop unusual rituals, such as getting dressed in a specific order, and are resistant to change the ritual. Some communication difficulties people with Asperger's syndrome may exhibit are, not being able to make eye contact when speaking with someone, trouble using facial expressions and gestures, and understanding body language. They also have a tendency to misunderstand language in context and are very literal in their use of language. Individuals could express limited range of interests; they could develop an almost obsessive interest in a few areas, such as weather, topics in school, or sports. Many individuals with Asperger's syndrome are exceedingly gifted or skilled in a particular area, such as history or science. The coordination of individuals with Asperger's syndrome may seem clumsy or awkward.
Asperger's Syndrome often has few facial expressions and have difficulty reading the body language of others; they might engage in obsessive routines and display an unusual sensitivity to sensory stimuli (for example, they may be bothered by a light that no one else notices; they may cover their ears to block out sounds in the environment; or they might prefer to wear clothing made only of a certain material) (Weiss 32-35).
Diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome can be a challenge. An interview with a clinician must be conducted, including the family of the person being diagnosed. Also, an observation is conducted in two different social settings (i.e.: school and home) (Stoddart, 2009). The criterion to be diagnosed is straight forward. First, there must be a severe impairment in social interaction. For example, no eye to eye contact, posture, does not develop peer relationships, and not bringing up interests to other people (Stoddart, 2009). Second, there must be stereotyped behaviors. For example, not being able to adhere to a random routine or change of plans, hand flapping, and playing with parts of objects, not the object itself. Thirdly, the impairments cause strain on social, and other areas of functioning. Fourth, the child had no delay in speech. This is the difference between a child with autism and Asperger’s. Children with Asperger’s have no delay in speech and usually are advanced in this area. Lastly, the child has no cognitive delay. For example, self-help abilities, and adapting behaviors. Usually these children have very high IQs (Stoddart, 2009). The major criterion is the social impairment. Asperger’s Syndrome is very focused around social behaviors. These children do not socially interact,
Aspergers syndrome is a term that refers to children and adults who have difficulties within the
Human beings face obstacles especially individuals with Asperger’s syndrome as they cope with daunting challenges in their existence. These challenges affect their everyday lives particularly in interacting with people and coping with their emotions. Thus, the clinical features, treatments, and accommodations of Asperger’s syndrome impact the affected person’s pivotal aspects of social, communication and demeanour.
Asperger’s Syndrome (ASD) is defined as a developmental disorder related to Autism and characterized by higher than average intellectual ability coupled with impaired social skills. People suffering from ASD can overcome this disease and live a normal, productive life by learning basic life skills, communication techniques, and developing meaningful relationships. These essential life skills are important to everyday life and need to be learned in order for these individuals to maintain a self-sustaining life. Without these skills, it is highly possible these individuals will be unable to leave home or even hold down meaningful employment. John Robison writes
Autism is the most rapidly growing developmental disorder in the U.S. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and autism are both similar terms for a group of complicated disorders of brain development. Autism Spectrum Disorders are characterized by significant difficulties in social interaction and communication skills with the presence of extremely odd behaviors. Autism is a spectrum condition meaning that while all individuals with autism share somewhat common challenges in their conditions they will all be affected differently. Social communication, interaction and imagination are three main areas of which all of those with autism share. Numerous individuals with ASDs have distinct ways of learning and behaving towards certain situations. Autism affects tens of millions globally and 3 million individuals in the United States alone.
Asperger Syndrome is an unfortunate condition to acquire. Asperger’s is considered to be a pervasive developmental disorder. Pervasive developmental disorders are most commonly involved with slower than average learning of everyday skills. Individuals with Asperger Syndrome will experience many difficulties. These individuals express little and bizarre social interaction. Next, their speech is monotone and short. Unfortunately, people with Asperger Syndrome will also experience difficulty with nonverbal communication. Examples of nonverbal communication are facial expressions, hand gestures, and waving. Overall, Asperger victims are socially awkward. These are all the struggles and symptoms that an Asperger victim will experience daily.
Asperger’s Syndrome is described as an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), once known as Pervasive Development Disorder (PDD), and is characterized as a milder version of autism. Children with Asperger’s seem to adapt easier to social interactions as they get older, contrary to autism. Autism is a syndrome of extreme withdrawal and obsessive behavior. Asperger’s syndrome is similar to autism in a way that children experience difficulties with social interaction and communication. Also, children will have issues with concentration or coordination. Asperger’s and autism do have a lot of differences as well. One difference being the onset for autism is in infancy whereas in Asperger’s it is, at least, recognized later. Children with Asperger’s tend to have average or above average intelligence and seem
Children with Asperger syndrome are mostly likely to be average or above average on their intelligence level and usually will not have a language delay. Some may have an odd speech pattern or a formal style of speaking. Individuals with Asperger’s usually want to fit in and have interactions with others, but sometimes they have difficult and they don’t know how to do it. Having a conversation back and forth may be difficult. Some may talk too much and not let others talk and have difficult with active listening skills. They also may be considered socially awkward, have limited eye contact, seem unengaged in a conversation and not understand the use of jokes or sarcasm. Individuals with Asperger Syndrome may like to have collections of red toy cars, marbles, bottle caps, and be amused with maps, globes, routes,
Asperger’s Syndrome was first defined in 1944 by an Austrian Pediatrician named Hans Asperger. He referred to it as Autistic Psychopathy and described the children’s as having normal intelligence but lacking in social and behavioral skills. His observations were published but not widely known until the 1980’s when an English physician wrote about patients in her practice and referred to their condition as Asperger’s Syndrome. Although it is recognized as its own disorder, in 2013 it was lumped
Asperger's Syndrome is to the array of a developmental disorder called Autism. Asperger's Problem is called AS for small. It's a slight case of autism, probably the mildest form of autism. Not, for example, math, music or science, children born with Asperger's usually have some natural gifts at the same time, like people with PDD- Williams Syndrome and NOS. The only thing that individuals with Asperger's Can't be talented is social ability. They have difficulty in reading expressions, understanding body languages. In a word, they do not know how to speak with others naturally. However, they mean people no injury that is the largest difference between people with Sociopaths and Asperger meet up.
This article describes issues involving teaching English to students with learning difficulties, especially a student with Asperger syndrome. It begins with general perspectives of people and other teachers towards teaching autistic students and teachers who teach these ‘types’ of students. The article explores the writer’s experience in English teaching and learning in an exclusive one to one teaching and learning set up, and the writer’s awareness of inclusive and special needs education for students with difficulties. It discusses aspects of English teaching and learning situations, in particular the understanding of teaching approaches. Using two case studies, it explains how the writer dealt with English teaching approaches, materials,
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is the name for a group of developmental disorders. ASD includes a wide range, “a spectrum,” of symptoms, skills, and levels of disability. People with ASD often have these characteristics such as ongoing social problems that include difficulty communicating and interacting with others. Repetitive behaviors as well as limited interests or activities. Symptoms that typically are recognized in the first two years of life. Symptoms that hurt the individual’s ability to function socially, at school or work, or other areas of life. Some people are mildly impaired by their symptoms, while others are severely disabled. Treatments and services can improve a person’s symptoms and ability to function. In the presence of