ASPERGER SYNDROME
Asperger syndrome (AS) is a neurobiological disorder that is part of a group of conditions called autism spectrum disorders.
The term "autism spectrum" refers to a range of developmental disabilities that includes autism as well as other disorders with similar characteristics.
They are known as spectrum disorders because the symptoms of each can appear in different
combinations and in varying degrees of severity.
Children with Asperger's syndrome may:
• Not pick up on social cues and may lack inborn social skills
• Dislike any changes in routines.
• Be unable to recognize subtle differences in speech tone, pitch, and accent that alter the meaning of others’ speech.
Thus, your child may not understand a joke or may take a sarcastic comment literally. Likewise, his or her speech may
be flat and difficult to understand because it lacks tone, pitch, and accent.
• Avoid eye contact or stare at others.
• Have unusual facial expressions or postures.
• Talk a lot, usually about a favorite subject. One-sided conversations are common. Internal thoughts are often verbalized.
• Have delayed motor development. Your child may be late in learning to use a fork or spoon, ride a bike, or catch a ball.
He or she may have an awkward walk. Handwriting is often poor.
• Have heightened sensitivity and become overstimulated by loud noises, lights, or strong tastes or textures.
For more information about these symptoms, see sensory integration dysfunction.
Other conditions
Many children with Asperger's syndrome also have coexisting conditions and may have symptoms of these conditions also.
They include:
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
• Anxiety disorder.
• Depression, especially in adolescents.
• Nonverbal learning disorder.
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
• Social anxiety disorder.
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