What is Aspergers Syndrome and How Do I Know If My Child Has It?

Are you the parent of a young child that may have some signs of autism but does not have a lot of them? Have you been told by a Doctor or special education personnel that your child may have Aspergers Syndrome (AD)? Would you like to learn about characteristics of the disorder so that you can pursue private evaluations? This article will be discussing the characteristics of this syndrome so that you will be able to advocate for appropriate educational services for your child.

This disorder was initially described by Hans Asperger in 1944. He found a number of cases whose clinical characteristics were similar to autism, but differed in the fact that the speech was less commonly delayed, motor clumsiness was much more common, and initial cases seem to only occur in boys.

In 1994 The American Psychiatric Association added Aspergers syndrome to its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, often referred to as the DSM IV. It is listed by itself in its own category and not under the autism umbrella, but under the broader Pervasive Developmental Disorder.

Characteristics of this disorder are:

1. Major impairment in social interaction which may show in lack of empathy, difficulty with spontaneity, difficulty in developing friendships with peers, ability to show social reciprocity which is back and forth communication, and impairments in eye contact, posture and gestures.

2. Restricted repetitive patterns of behavior, interests and activities. This can be shown by preoccupation with one area of interest that is abnormal in intensity or focus. The child may be very inflexible when it comes to daily routines or rituals, and also may show an extreme preoccupation with a part of objects.

3. While a child with AD acquire language skills without delay, they often have abnormalities in how they use language.

4. Children with this disorder may also have unusual sensory experiences, like sensitivities to light or sound. This disorder is called Sensory Integration dysfunction.

5. Motor clumsiness is another characteristic of this disorder. Children with this disorder may be delayed in learning skills that require motor dexterity such as riding a bike or opening a jar.

6. Children with this disorder do not show a significant delay in cognitive development.

7. Some children with this disorder are extremely bright with very high IQ's.

The best way to determine if a child has Aspergers is to have your child evaluated by a competent trained professional such as a Neuropsychologist or a Clinical Psychologist. Many school psychologists are not trained to diagnose this disorder, so it may be best to have your child privately tested. Two of the instruments that may be used are the Autism Diagnostic Interview Revised (ADI R), and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS).

It is important to note however that this disorder may be Co Morbid with other disorders. This means that the child may have other disorders as well. These may be ADHD, Bi Polar Disorder, Learning Disabilities, or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. The earlier the treatment for this disorder and co morbid disorders, the better it will be for your child. Appropriate special education services can help your child be ready for post school learning and independent living, as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires!

JoAnn Collins is the mother of two adults with disabilities, and has helped families navigate the special education system, as an advocate, for over 15 years. She is a presenter and author of the book "Disability Deception; Lies Disability Educators Tell and How Parents Can Beat Them at Their Own Game." The book has a lot of resources and information to help parents fight for an appropriate education for their child. For a free E newsletter entitled "The Special Education Spotlight" send an E mail to: JoAnn@disabilitydeception.com. For more information on the book, testimonials about the book, and a link to more articles go to: http://www.disabilitydeception.com.

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