Differentiating the Diagnosis Between Autism and Asperger's Disorders

Approximately 947,570 Americans have Asperger’s Syndrome (AS), however, it is not an easy disorder to explain (Bashe 19). With multiple conditions and characteristics in each case, AS is not an easy disorder to diagnose. Asperger’s Syndrome was named after Hans Asperger, an Austrian physician, who first described the disorder in 1944 after studying a group of children with similar, unusual characteristics. However, AS was not made an official disease until 1994. Consequently, Asperger disease is just now becoming published and popular so there is still research and questions being answered. Asperger’s Syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder, is noted by above-average

Autism spectrum disorders are a class of developmental disorders that impair social skills, behavior, and communication (Center for Disease Control). ASDs are considered ‘spectrum’ disorders because each patient has a unique experience in the nature and severity of their symptoms (Center for Disease Control). Under the umbrella of ASDs, there are three types of disorders, including Autistic disorder, Asperger Syndrome, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (Center for Disease Control). Autistic disorder is the most severe of the three, and patients exhibit significant problems with language, communication, and behavior (Center for Disease Control). Furthermore, people with Autistic disorder often have some intellectual impairment (Center for Disease Control). Asperger Syndrome is a milder form of autistic disorder where patients have some developmental delays, but their language and intellect are not affected (Center for Disease Control). The mildest of the ASDs is the pervasive developmental disorder. These patients usually don’t meet all of the criteria for autistic disorder, but do show some signs of social and communication problems (Center for Disease Control). The number of children diagnosed with ASD is growing, and currently 1 in 88 children fall somewhere on the spectrum (Mari-Bauset et al., 2013). Boys are four times more likely than girls to have autism, and while the exact cause of these disorders is unknown, both genetic and

Many of us have heard about Autism, also knows as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Some have a family member, a friend, or know someone who has ASD. Increasingly it is becoming a more common disability. “Autism is one of the fastest-growing developmental disorders in the U.S” (Autism Speaks). Autism has no respect for gender, race, social class and or ethnicity. “Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder that involves abnormal development and function of the brain.” (Autism Center of Excellence) People who have autism have a lot of difficulties with social skills, communication and also will develop behavior issues. These behavior problems of an individual with autism can vary at times and can go from mild to severe. According to the Autism Science Foundation it says,” Many people with the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) also have unusual ways of learning, paying attention, and reacting to different sensations. The thinking and learning abilities of people with ASD can vary—from gifted to severely challenged.” The causes and symptoms, as well as the diagnosis, and the treatments of autism vary.

Over the years, more people are becoming aware of Autism Spectrum Disorder, ASD. The growing number of individuals who are affected by ASD have been increasing over the years. This could be do to the new DSM development of what is considered ASD or simply more children are being born with ASD. Either way, ASD is more predominate in our society today. ASD is defined in the DSM 5 as having abnormal social aspects, lack of social skills, non-verbal communications skills, deficits in development, lack of understanding of relationships, and self-stimulation through repetitive behaviors (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Although these are not all of the symptoms caused by ASD

The relationship between Asperger syndrome and autism has been a controversial topic in psychology. There is not a definite correlation which has been decided upon between the two and chiefly due to the fact that they are both overly similar. Concisely, psychologists seek to identify the main difference between them. In a simpler way, it is not yet clear whether autism and Asperger syndrome should be defined as independent (distinct) terms, or whether Asperger syndrome should be categorized under the wider realm of autism. In their researche, multiple scholars have come upon differing opinions and theories in support of their own perceptions of the two disorders which either agree or disagree at some point. Asperger syndrome is derived from Hans Asperger who is highly recognized for his efforts in defining the disease which many scholars had described as not diagnosable (Mayes, Calhoun & Crites, 2001).

The DSM 5 defines autism spectrum disorder as a persistent deficit in social communication and interaction across various areas. The deficits occur in the areas of social and emotional functioning, non-verbal communicative behaviors, and fostering relationships. The DSM 5 also includes repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities as factors to consider when seeking to understand if a child has autism. The child can become fixated on specific objects, strongly adhere to schedules or ritualized patterns. When patterns are broken, the child has a difficult time transitioning to a new schedule or pattern of existence. Additionally, the child may be hyper or hyperactivity to various sensory aspects of the environment. As denoted

Asperger’s Syndrome and Autism are both known as “Autism Spectrum Disorders.” Because they are both AS disorders they share characteristics but still have differences. The symptoms experienced by people with Asperger syndrome are usually less severe than those experienced by patients with classic autism. Many people with the Autism disorder and Asperger’s syndrome struggle in the social aspect. People who have autism and Asperger's disorder both suffer from poor communication skills. Even though the person who has Asperger's may have great expressive language skills, he or she will have problems communicating due to trouble interpreting other people's social cues. Therefore, both have trouble maintaining age appropriate relationships. Poor

When it comes to the Autism/Asperger spectrum it is an interesting disorder to learn and understand. As I had the opportunity to work with all range of children that have been diagnosed with Autism/Asperger, it is the students that have been recently diagnosed with Autism/Asperger that is interesting to learn about. I have the pleasure of helping a good friend of mine whom has a 3 year old son who was diagnosed with Autism during the summer of 2015 with understanding what is Autism and ways to support him with his diagnoses. As all parents at the beginning of learning their child has Autism/Asperger they are scared, they want to know what is best for their child when it comes to their development and what services are out there to help themselves and their child with their disability. As I observed my friend’s child, I learned that with the amount of support from family and friends along with his parent’s researching case studies and documentation on Autism, they are better equip of dealing with the disability than letting the disability take control of them.

Asperger’s Syndrome is a pervasive developmental disorder that often presents itself in children during the elementary years. It is characterized by deficits in social interactions, normal developing language, fixation with specific objects, and average or above average intellectual functioning. It is highly debated over whether Asperger’s Syndrome is qualitatively different than high functioning Autism. Symptoms of Asperger’s Syndrome will present themselves in a variety of ways that are unique to each individual child. Within

First off, Autism has countless number of symptoms that occur at an early age and these include difficulty in socializing with peers, uninterested in conversations, difficulty in making eye contact, and focusing on random objects. In most autism cases, children do develop normally until the second or even third year of life, but then start to act completely different to social engagement (NIH, 2016). And most of these symptoms usually last all the way to adulthood. Moreover, in severe cases of ASD is the lack of communication, practicing and insisting on the same activities, and repetitive patterns of behavior affect the daily functioning of the individual (NIH, 2016). Therefore, diagnosing autism disorders solely off of these symptoms can be very

Amazingly, one percent of new births will have some type of autism (Autism Society of America, 2010). Asperger’s disorder is one type of Autism, and is at the high end of these disorders. This “disorder, which is also called Asperger's syndrome (AS) or autistic psychopathy, belongs to a group of childhood disorders known as pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs) or autistic spectrum disorders”(Exkorn, 2006). A characteristic of this disorder is harsh and strict disruption of a certain type of brain development. The most affected areas of Asperger's disorder is difficulty in social understanding and in behavior or activities that are limited or recurring (Frey, 2003). Students with Asperser’s have different levels of seriousness,

According to Peterson, Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by difficulties in social interaction and communication, repetitive behaviors, and stereotyped interests and activities (as cited in Leifer, 2015, p. 748). However, symptoms and their severity vary greatly in each child. There are three types that have been identified: Classic autism, Asperger syndrome, and Pervasive developmental disorders. The cause of autism is unknown. According to Lockwood (2013), Childhood Autism Risk from Genetics and Environment (CHARGE) studied preschool children with autism and has shown the roles of prenatal vitamins in early pregnancy. There is the possibility that ASD might be prevented with the

Asperger’s disorder is also known as Asperger’s syndrome has been at the end of the autism spectrum and its own category for many years. Now over the last few years in the Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders-5 (DSM-V) it has combined two core deficit areas. They are impairments in social interaction and impairments in communication into a single domain of social/communication deficits. It subsumes Asperger’s disorder into a single diagnostic category of autism spectrum disorder. (TEXTBOOKp.237). It is estimated one percentage of the world’s population and over three million Americas are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. ( ).

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a disorder of brain and stage development, “by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors… intellectual disability, difficulties in motor coordination and attention and physical health issues such as sleep and gastrointestinal disturbances” (Autismspeaks.org, 2012). The disorders on the spectrum include Rett syndrome, classic autism, atypical autism or pervasive development disorder not otherwise specified Asperger syndrome, and childhood disintegrative disorder. ASD can be caused by many

those deficits include severe impairments in social reciprocity and communication, with proof of restricted and repetitive behaviors or interests as defined in (DSM-IV-TR) (A. A. P.,2000). (O’Donohue and Draper, 2011). The most current update of international diagnostic standards launched in May 2013 in (DSM-V) has merged those three domains into “social/communication deficits” and “fixated interests and repetitive behaviors. (O’Donohue and Draper, (2011) (Tanguay, 2011), (Kuenssberg et al, 2011) The word “spectrum” approach that ASDs affect anybody in a one of a kind manner, and signs and symptoms can variety from mild to severe according to the developmental level and chronological age of each individual(A. A. P.,2000). (Yates & Couteur, 2013) (Rapin & Tuchman, 2008)