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Asperger's
Introduction
What is Asperger Syndrome?
Asperger syndrome (AS) is a pervasive developmental disorder characterized by an
inability to understand how to interact socially. Other features include clumsy
and uncoordinated motor movements, social impairment with extreme obtuseness,
limited interests and/or unusual preoccupations, repetitive routines or rituals,
speech and language peculiarities, and non-verbal communication problems.
Generally, children with AS have few facial expressions apart from anger or
misery. Most have excellent rote memory and musical ability, and become
intensely interested in one or two subjects (sometimes to the exclusion of other
topics). They may talk at length about a favorite subject or repeat a word or
phrase many times. Children with AS tend to be "in their own world"
and preoccupied with their own agenda. AS is commonly recognized after the age
of 3. Some individuals who exhibit features of autism (a developmental brain
disorder characterized by impaired social interaction and communication skills)
but who have well-developed language skills may be diagnosed with AS, although
high-functioning autism differs from AS in early language delay.
Is there any treatment?
There is no specific course of treatment or cure for AS. Treatment, which is
symptomatic and rehabilitational, may include both psychosocial and
psychopharmacological interventions such as psychotherapy, parent education and
training, behavioral modification, social skills training, educational
interventions, and/or medications including psychostimulants, mood stabilizers,
beta blockers, neuroleptics, and tricyclic antidepressants.
What is the prognosis?
Children with AS have a better outlook than those with other forms of pervasive
developmental disorders, and are much more likely to grow up to be independently
functioning adults. Nonetheless, in most cases, these individuals will continue
to demonstrate, to some extent, subtle disturbances in social interactions.
There is also an increased risk for development of psychosis (a mental disorder)
and/or mood problems such as depression and anxiety in the later years.
What research
is being done?
The NINDS conducts and supports a broad range of research on developmental
disorders including AS. The goals of these studies are to increase understanding
of these disorders and to find ways to treat, prevent, and ultimately cure them.
Selected references
Bishop, D. Autism, Asperger's Syndrome and Semantic-Pragmatic Disorder: Where
Are the Boundaries? British. Journal of Disorders of Communication, 24; 107-121 (1989)
Gillberg, C. Asperger Syndrome in 23 Swedish Children
Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 31; 520-531 (1989)
Gillberg, C. Outcome in Autism and Autistic-like Conditions
Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 30:3;
375-382 (May 1991)
Szatmari, P. Asperger's
Syndrome: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Outcome Psychiatric Clinics of North
America, 14:1; 81-93 (1991)
Kerbeshian, J, et al. Asperger's Syndrome: To Be or Not To
Be? British Journal of Psychiatry, 156; 721-725 (1990)
Organizations
Asperger Syndrome Education Network
P.O. Box 2577
Jacksonville FL 32203-2577
aspen@cybermax.net
Tel: 609-890-2404
Learning Disabilities Association of America
4156 Library Road
Pittsburgh PA 15234-1349
Tel: 412-341-1515 412-341-8077
Fax: 412-344-0224
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
P.O. Box 8923
(100 Route 37)
New Fairfield CT 06812-8923
orphan@rarediseases.org
www.rarediseases.org
Tel: 203-746-6518 800-999-NORD (-6673)
Fax: 203-746-6481
NICHD/National Institute of Child Health and Human
Development, NIH
Bldg. 31, Rm. 2A32
Bethesda MD 20892-2425
NICHDdClearinghouse@mail.nih.gov
www.nichd.nih.gov
Tel: 301-496-5133
NIMH/National Institute of Mental Health, NIH
6001 Executive Blvd. Room 8184, MSC 9663
Bethesda MD 20892-9663
nimhinfo@nih.gov
www.nimh.nih.gov/
Tel: 301-443-4513 Depression Info: 800-421-4211
This
information is available courtesy of the National Institute of Neurological
Disorders and Stroke. It is in the public domain and can be downloaded, reproduced,
or copied without permission. For more information go to
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/disorder_index.htm
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