Asperger's Syndrome

What is Asperger's Syndrome?

Asperger's Syndrome (AS) was first described by Hans Asperger in 1944 as a mild form of Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) or "high-functioning Autism".

Asperger's syndrome is a term often used to refer to individuals with some autistic features, who do not fit all the criteria for diagnosis for autism.

AS is thought to result from various abnormalities in the right-hemisphere and is, therefore, similar to other Non-verbal learning disorders. Symptoms include the following:

• Lack of eye contact
  
  

• Unusual social styles and limited social skills
  
  

• Extreme lack of organization
  
  

• Very concrete, literal thinking
  
  

• Strong reading decoding ("word calling") but poor comprehension
  
  

• Strong spelling skill but poor writing and written work organization
  
  

• Math disability
  
  

• Poor comprehension and abnormal expressive language
  
  

• Phonologically and grammatically normal speech but abnormal language use and poor comprehension of context
  
  

• Marked impairment in the use of multiple non-verbal behaviors such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, body postures and gestures to regulate social interaction
  
  

• Failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level
  
  

• Lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests or achievements with other people
  
  

• Lack or social or emotional reciprocity
  
  

• Restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests and activities
  
  

• Inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals
  
  

• Stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms
  
  

• Persistent preoccupation with parts of objects
  

Margaret J. Kay, Ed.D., has been qualified as an expert in  diagnosis and intervention for children & adults with Asperger's Syndrome.

To schedule an evaluation, click here.

On-Line Resources

• Asperger's Syndrome Coalition of the United States, Inc.
   
• Asperger Syndrome Partners & Individual Resources, Encouragement & Support (ASPIRES)
   
• Asperger's Links
   
• OASIS

  To schedule an evaluation, click here.

Suggested Readings

• Asperger's Syndrome:  A Practical Guide for Teachers (Resource Materials for Teachers) by Val Cumine (1998)
  
  
• Asperger's Syndrome and Difficult Moments:  Practical Solutions for Tantrums, Rage and Meltdowns by Brenda Smith Myles and Jack Southwick (1999)
   
• Asperger's Syndrome or High Functioning Autism?  (Current Issues in Autism) by Eric Schopler (Editor) 1998
   
• Asperger’s Syndrome: A Guide for Educators and Parents by Myles, B.S. and Simpson, R. L. (1998)
  
  
• Asperger's Syndrome:  A guide for Parents and Professionals by Tony Attwood (1998)
   
• Coplan, J. (2000). Counseling parents regarding prognosis in autistic spectrum disorder. Pediatrics, vol. 105 (No. 5), p. 65.
   
• The Source for Syndromes by Gail Richard
   
• McGinnis, E. & Goldstein, A. P. (1997). Skillstreaming the Elementary School Child:  New Strategies and Perspectives for Teaching Prosocial Skills.  Research Press.
   
• McGinnis, E. & Goldstein, A. P. (1997). Skillstreaming the Adolescent:  New Strategies and Perspectives for Teaching Prosocial Skills.  Research Press.
  
  
• Reading Too Soon: How to Understand and Help the Hyperlexic Child by Susan Martins Miller (Center for Speech and Language Disorders, 1993)

Support Organizations 

• American Hyperlexia Association (AHA)
  A non-profit organization with the goal of identifying hy0perlexia, promoting and facilitating effective teaching techniques, and educating the public as to the existence of Hyperlexia.
  
  

• Asperger's Syndrome Coalition of the United States
  A national, non-profit organization committed to providing the most up-to-date and comprehensive information on social and communication disorders, with particular focus on Asperger's Syndrome and Nonverbal Learning.
  
  

• Autism Society of America
  A national organization providing information and support for individuals with autism and their families.
  
  

• Child Neurology Home Page
  Coordinates the available internet resources in child Neurology for professionals and parents.
  
  

• Families of Adults affected with Asperger's Syndrome (FAAAS)
  Online information and support for families of adults with Asperger's Syndrome.
  
  

• Online Asperger's Syndrome Information and Support (O.A.S.I.S.)
  Comprehensive site for Asperger's Syndrome maintained by the parent of a child with Asperger's Syndrome.
   

• Talk Autism
  Partners with private and governmental organizations to provide integrated technology-based communication and education services to families and professionals dealing with autism.

This site was designed by Margaret J. Kay, Ed.D.  Its contents are presented for informational and educational purposes only and are not to be construed as professional advice on medical, legal, technical or therapeutic matters.  By using and accessing the information on this site, you agree to waive any rights to hold the site developer, or any individual and/or group associated with this site, liable for any damage that may result from the use of the information presented here.

© Copyright 2010 Margaret J. Kay. All rights reserved.

The copyright of design, text and images on this web site is owned by Margaret J. Kay or the individual copyright owners as noted elsewhere on this site.  You may download and reprint articles from this web site for non-commercial, private, educational purposes only.  You may not in any way modify, or publicly distribute, any information contained within this site without specific permission form the copyright owner.

Send mail to MJK@MargaretKay.com with questions or comments about this web site.

Last modified: July 11, 2010