WHAT IS ASPERGER’S SYNDROME?

KIERAN MCGOVERN

AND HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH IT?

WHAT IS ASPERGER’S SYNDROME?

An Autistic Spectrum Disorder causing difficulties in three main areas:

social communication

social interaction

social imagination

STARTING POINTS

What is Autism?

Asperger’s and Us

Autism Act 2009

Asperger’s & the Autistic Spectrum

Kids with Asperger’s

My Asperger’s (adult)

WHAT IS AUTISM?

Autism is a complex developmental disability.

Affects ability to communicate and interact with others.

Usually appears during the first three years of life.

A “spectrum disorder” & affects individuals differently and to varying degrees.

Estimated that one in every 150 American children has some degree of autism.

ASPERGER’S SYNDROME

Asperger’s is a term used to describe the milder end of autistic spectrum.

First identified by Hans Asperger in 1940s

Identified cases shared defining features of Autism

Key differences ‘speech less commonly delayed, motor deficits more common, later onset, only in boys.’

Also possible genetic link to father

‘High functioning’ and more treatable

AS became a standard diagnosis in 1992,

World Health Organization's diagnostic manual, International Classification of Diseases

COMMON SYMPTOMSpoor empathy;

naive, inappropriate, one-sided social interaction

little ability to form friendships

social isolation

pedantic and monotonic speech

poor nonverbal communication

absorption in narrow topics

facts learned in rote fashion

impression of eccentricity

clumsy and ill-coordinated movements

odd posture.

‘People with Aspergers live on a physical level ..emotions are invisible’

“If you've seen one Aspie, you've seen one Aspie,”

“I am very empathic. I can …feel what everyone is feeling … The problem is that it all comes in faster than I can process it.”

‘I think in pictures’

THEORIES‘intense world’?

Theory of Mind (‘Mind Blindness’)?

Neurobiological: Cortisol/Testosterone?

Extreme Male Brain Theory?

Difference not disability?

WHY IS NUMBER OF AS GROWING ?

Misdiagnosis for general social difficulties?

Rise of online ‘geek’ sub-culture?

Genetics/Evolution

Atomised society

Previously ignored

Classification problem

Predilection for adults to self-diagnose .

THINGS TO CONSIDER

AS is a broad description rather than an absolute formula.

It is often an ‘invisible’ condition.

Transition anxiety is a strong feature – even small changes in routine should be handled carefully.

Some routine ‘body language’ may not be read correctly

Try to be literal, logical and linear

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

Take care to speak in a calm, controlled voice.

Try to eliminate extraneous noise where possible

AS helps explain but does not excuse

You can have a happy, productive life with AS.

Teach but don’t preach about Asperger’s Syndrome

WORLD NEEDS ALL KINDS OF MINDS

Temple Grandin was diagnosed with autism as a small child in the 1950s. Her astonishing achievements are an inspiration to everyone living with AS.

The Autistic Mind