Asperger's Syndrome

Who Can Use This Information?

Parents, Teachers, Principals, Behavior Specialists, School Counselors,
Social Workers, and Psychologists

What is Asperger's Syndrome?

Asperger's Syndrome, also known as Asperger's Disorder, is a relatively new category of developmental disorder. This term has come into general use within the past 15 years. Asperger's Syndrome is the term applied to the mildest and highest functioning end of what is known as the spectrum of Pervasive Development Disorder (PDD) or the autism spectrum. The best studies that have been carried out to date suggest that Asperger's Syndrome is more common than the "classic" autism. Whereas autism has traditionally been felt to occur in about four out of every 10,000 children, estimates of Asperger's Syndrome have ranged as high as 20 to 25 per 10,000. That means that for each case of more typical autism, schools can expect to encounter several children with a picture of Asperger's Syndrome. Most Asperger's Syndrome children will be found in mainstream settings. It is therfore imperative that teachers, parents, employers, and others understand their unique and complex needs.

Symptoms of Asperger's Syndrome

According to the DSM-IV the essential features of Asperger's Disorder are severe and sustained impairment in social interaction (see symptoms below in Criteria A) and the development of restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests and activities (see symptoms below in Criteria B). The disturbance must cause clinically significant impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of functioning (see symptoms below in Criteria C). There is also the possibility of more subtle aspects of social communication such as no give and take in conversation.

Some of the symptoms of Asperger's Syndrome are as follows:
A. Qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least two of the following:
         1. Marked impairment in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as eye-to-eye contact, facial expression,
             body postures and gestures to regulate social interaction
         2. Failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level
         3. A lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests or achievements with other people
         4. Lack of social or emotional reciprocity
B. Restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests and activities, as manifested by at least one of the following:
         1. Encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal in intensity or focus
         2. Apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals
         3. Stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms such as hand or finger flapping or twisting, or complex whole body movements
         4. Persistent preoccupation with parts of objects
C. The disturbance causes clinically significant impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of functioning.

Causes of Asperger's Syndrome

Asperger's Syndrome is believed to be a neurologically based developmental disorder of development, of unknown causes. There there are deviations/abnormalities in three broad aspects of development, social relatedness and social skills, the use of language for communicative purposes and certain behavioral and stylistic characteristics involving repetitive or perseverative features and a limited but intense range of interests.

All studies agree that Asperger's Syndrome is much more common in boys than in girls. The reasons for this are unknown. Asperger's Syndrome is fairly commonly associated with other types of diagnoses, again for unknown reasons, including: tic disorders such as Tourette disorder, attention problems and mood problems such as depression and anxiety. In some cases there is a clear genetic component, with one parent (most often the father) showing either the full picture of Asperger's Syndrome or at least some of the traits associated with Asperger's Syndrome; genetic factors seem to be more common in Asperger's Syndrome compared to more classic autism. Temperamental traits such as having intense and limited interests, compulsive or rigid style and social awkwardness or timidity also seem to be more common, alone or in combination, in relatives of Asperger's Syndrome children. Sometimes there will be a positive family history of autism in relatives, further strengthening the impression that Asperger's Syndrome and autism are sometimes related conditions. Other studies have demonstrated a fairly high rate of depression, both bipolar and unipolar, in relatives of children with Asperger's Syndrome, suggesting a genetic link in at least some cases. It is likely that for Asperger's Syndrome, as for autism, the clinical picture we see is probably influenced by many factors, including genetic ones, so that there is no single identifiable cause in most cases.

Benefits of the Asperger's Syndrome Material

The Asperger's Syndrome material offered on this website will discuss the syndrome in detail, along with offering suggestions for treatment and management. Below is the contents of the Asperger's Syndrome material.

Asperger's Syndrome Material Outline

I.	Diagnostic Criteria, History and General Information About the Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD)
	a. Asperger Syndrome
	b. Autistic Disorder
	c. Rett Syndrome
	d. Tourette's Syndrome
II.	Features, Characteristics and Challenging Behaviors of Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism
	a. Differences and Similarities
	b. Meltdowns vs. Temper Tantrums
	c. Asperger's Syndrome and the Effect on Siblings
	d. Dealing with Society
	e. Child to Teenager
III.	Programming and Intervention Strategies
	a. I.D.E.A. and I.E.P.
	b. Effective Programming for Young Children with Autism
	c. Structured Teaching Strategies
	d. Increasing Expressive Skills
	e. Developing Expressive Communication Skills
	f. Assistive Technology for Children with Autism
IV.	Interventions
	a. Medical
	b. Therapeutic
	c. Holistic
	d. Vitamins
	e. Dietary
	f. Allergy
	g. Eye Therapies
V.	Ways of Making the World a Better Place for Those with Asperger's Syndrome and Autism

Order Your Asperger's Syndrome Material Today

Help a Child By Educating Yourself

Learn how to identify the symptoms and charactersitics of Asperger's Syndrome and how to successfully work with children suffering from this disorder. Dr. Williams provides his in-depth and educational material in various formats, including manuals, audio books, videos, and work books. To order, click here on the links below to purchase your materials. To order educational materials on other behavioral disorders click on this link Behaviorial Disorders Manuals.

Asperger's Syndrome Material Price "Asperger's Syndrome" manual $14.95 "Asperger's Syndrome" manual + audio book + workbook $199.95 "Asperger's Syndrome" manual + audio book + video + workbook $299.95

Dr Earle H Williams II © 2008