What is
Asperger Syndrome?
Asperger Syndrome (AS) is part of a continuum of disorders known as Autism Spectrum
Disorders (ASD). People with AS seem to be unaware of the unwritten rules of social interaction,
such as body language and facial expressions, making it difficult to make and/or keep friends.
They expect you to know their thoughts and experiences but have great difficulty reading or
understanding your feelings. They interpret things very literally and follow "rules"
rigidly. Sudden changes in routine or expectations can cause them great distress. They appear
uninterested in what you have to say but will go on endlessly, like little professors, talking
about their favourite topic. They may also have unusual sensitivity to loud noises, crowds,
tastes, smells and clothing such as labels, or sock seams. Individuals with AS may read well but
not comprehend as much (unless its their area of interest). They often struggle with writing and
other cognitive skills. Prevalence
Current estimates suggest that 1 in 150 of the population may have AS. That's an estimate 150,000
to 200,000 Canadians.
The latest studies (2001) from the National Autistic Society in the UK suggests individuals with
ASD with an IQ over 70 (a hallmark of AS) make up 71 per 10,000 or .7% of the population. Time
Magazine notes in its May 6, 2002 issue cover story, ASD is five times as common as Down syndrome
and three times as common as juvenile diabetes
Why Haven't I Heard of Asperger
Syndrome?
Although first identified by Dr. Hans Asperger in Austria in 1944, the work of Asperger was only
translated into English in 1991 and did not make its way into the American Psychiatric
Association's Diagnostic Statistical Manual until 1994. For decades, individuals with AS went un -
or misdiagnosed with any number of related or entirely unrelated disorders. With the recent
recognition there has been an astronomical increase in the number of identified individuals with
AS in North America. This manifold increase does not seem to lie strictly in better diagnostics.
Debate about the causes of autism and AS and their dramatic increase worldwide all point to the
desperate need for more and wider research.
Challenges
Individuals with AS are often identified as eccentric, quirky or weird. Although usually
interested in making friends, they have very little idea how to go about establishing or
maintaining friendships. They are often aware of their differences but are unable or uncertain as
to how to address them. Consequently, such individuals suffer isolation, resulting in depression,
frustration and despair.
Gifts
At the same time, most individuals with AS have incredible rote memories and may have obsessive
interests or tremendous creativity that may lead to great achievements if encouraged and given the
opportunity to flourish like Albert Einstein, Glenn Gould and the philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein,
all of whom are believed to have had AS.
For Further Information
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