asperger+syndrome

Asperger Syndrome (AS) is a learning disability which makes social interactions very difficult. It is named after Hans Asberger -a Viennese physician. Apergers is a very difficult neurological disorder to discover because although the child/adult has autistic like reactions, they have normal IQ levels and good language development. It wasn't until 1944 that this disorder was identified and then not until 1994 that it became better understood and then added to DSM IV.

There are different degrees of severity of Asperger Syndrome. Some characteristics are: very difficult social interactions, difficult transitions, and non comprehension of motives. Often times, people with AS hyper focus on certain topics, and become fixated for years. In severe cases, people with AS have hyper senses and are very sensitive to loud sounds, different foods, and are shy of touching. Most people with AS are highly proficient in an area such as math or writing, and can have exceedingly high intellects. Although language skills develop, people with AS have difficulties with litteral meanings, and are confused by exaggeration. Generally the person has one way of thinking which is very difficult to change.

Scientists are struggling to figure out where to categorize Asperger Syndrome as a disorder. Some suggest it is in the Autism family, where others say that it is a nonverbal learning disorder. The debate on whether it is genetic or not will continue. There is evidence that it is passed on by genes, but scientists have not located where it is in the gene.

Information obtained from: http://www.udel.edu/bkirby/asperger/aswhatisit.html