what is asperger’s syndrome? kieran mcgovern and how do you deal with it?
TRANSCRIPT
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