The Relationship Between Asperger Syndrome And Autism

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a growing problem throughout the entire globe. Autism Spectrum Disorder is defined as deficits in social reciprocity and communication, as well as unusual, restricted and repetitive behaviors (Lord). Such behaviors may include running back and forth, excessive cleaning, noises, and clapping. These also vary greatly with age and ability, and the notion of ASD has been introduced to recognize these diversities (Firth). Autism was first discovered in 1943 when Leo Kanner observed 11 children with several common traits such as, impairments in social interaction, anguish for changes, good memory, belated echolalia, over sensitivity to certain stimuli (especially sound), food problems, limitations in spontaneous activity,

Autism spectrum disorders are a class of developmental disorders that impair social skills, behavior, and communication (Center for Disease Control). ASDs are considered ‘spectrum’ disorders because each patient has a unique experience in the nature and severity of their symptoms (Center for Disease Control). Under the umbrella of ASDs, there are three types of disorders, including Autistic disorder, Asperger Syndrome, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (Center for Disease Control). Autistic disorder is the most severe of the three, and patients exhibit significant problems with language, communication, and behavior (Center for Disease Control). Furthermore, people with Autistic disorder often have some intellectual impairment (Center for Disease Control). Asperger Syndrome is a milder form of autistic disorder where patients have some developmental delays, but their language and intellect are not affected (Center for Disease Control). The mildest of the ASDs is the pervasive developmental disorder. These patients usually don’t meet all of the criteria for autistic disorder, but do show some signs of social and communication problems (Center for Disease Control). The number of children diagnosed with ASD is growing, and currently 1 in 88 children fall somewhere on the spectrum (Mari-Bauset et al., 2013). Boys are four times more likely than girls to have autism, and while the exact cause of these disorders is unknown, both genetic and

Many children today unknowingly face the disorder known as Aspergers. Their traits can affect their social, mental, and behavioral aspects of life. Because of this, peers might classify them as weird simply because they do not act the same way, causing a decline in self confidence. Diagnosis can tremendously help to jumpstart treatment in this area. Despite lack of knowledge about Aspergers, a disorder closely related to autism, it is very much its own; not only in the way it is diagnosed, but also in its characteristics.

While both Autism and Asperger’s are displayed on a scale of severity, it is still a common link between over 90% of participants- and the endeavors they present can make life for those with O.S., who most likely have symptoms of either disorder, extremely difficult.

Asperger’s Syndrome and Autism are both known as “Autism Spectrum Disorders.” Because they are both AS disorders they share characteristics but still have differences. The symptoms experienced by people with Asperger syndrome are usually less severe than those experienced by patients with classic autism. Many people with the Autism disorder and Asperger’s syndrome struggle in the social aspect. People who have autism and Asperger's disorder both suffer from poor communication skills. Even though the person who has Asperger's may have great expressive language skills, he or she will have problems communicating due to trouble interpreting other people's social cues. Therefore, both have trouble maintaining age appropriate relationships. Poor

Controversy continues to be an issue with Asperger syndrome because researchers are still focusing on whether high functioning Asperger syndrome is really a disability or just a "difference". By categorizing this condition as different they feel that the diagnosis will be more neutral and value free rather than describing it as an impairment or a disability. The latter may apply only to lower functioning cases of autism and should be reserved only for those who require financial and physical support.

Aspergers was seen as a less severe form of Autism by professionals. As a result, the

What is Asperger Syndrome you ask? It is a rare type of autism that affects about two out of 10,000 children. The definition of autism is a mental condition, present from early childhood, characterized by difficulty in communicating and forming relationships with other people and in using language and abstract concepts. It is sometimes difficult to identify an individual having Asperger syndrome as it hardly shows any physiological effects, but the social impairment and difficulty these individuals have, create significant delays in language and cognitive development. In this news article, we will cover the basics of autism, an in-depth analysis of Asperger syndrome and treatment now and in the future.

The term Autism was first used in 1908 as a divisional term for people with schizophrenia who were particularly withdrawn & self-absorbed. In 1943 an American child psychiatrist named Leo Kanner, M.D., published a paper which described 11 children who were highly intelligent, however they displayed "a powerful desire for aloneness", whilst also "an obsessive insistence on persistent sameness”. "Early infantile autism" was the name he later labelled the condition. Asperger’s Syndrome was first highlighted in 1944 by a German scientist named Hans Asperger. He described a "milder" form of autism. In his research the cases he reported were all boys & they were very intelligent, however they had very specific obsessive interests & had trouble with social interactions.

At some places, Asperger’s is treated separately from Autism. NIH says that at one time Autism and Asperger's were considered separate diseases under the category of "Pervasive Developmental Disorders," but they are now part of the same category. Asperger's is now considered a subcategory of the larger category known as Autism Spectrum Disease (ASD), or Autism ("Autism Spectrum"). While some places may still treat them as separate diseases, Asperger’s and Autism are now under the same category. Asperger’s has similar symptoms to that of any other Autism, but it does have some uniqueness to its symptoms also. Autism Speaks lists slow social interactions, robot-like speech, average verbal skills paired with slow nonverbal skills, need to discuss self over others, trouble understanding social and emotional issues, misunderstanding of nonliteral phrases, lack of eye contact, and unusual movements and mannerisms as signs of Asperger's ("Asperger's Syndrome"). Asperger’s contains its own set of unique symptoms as well as its own classification. Autism Speaks adds, Asperger's has always been considered a "high functioning" version of Autism. People with Asperger's, while still slow with social interactions and motor skills, are much less restricted than those with other forms of Autism. Some people with Asperger's are very intelligent ("Asperger's Syndrome"). Asperger’s is

Today Asperger’s Syndrome is still widely known as an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Individuals diagnosed with this disorder are generally considered to be on the “high functioning” end of the autism spectrum. Children and adults diagnosed with this disorder generally have difficulty with social interactions and exhibit a restricted range of interests and or repetitive behaviors (Delfos 2005). The main difference between the two is thought to be in language development. Those individuals diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome typically will not have had delayed language development when younger. Conversely, those with other forms of autism may evidence delays in language development and greater difficulty in communication.

In some respects Asperger’s syndrome has some similarities to autism, although autism is a more severe type of PDD. It can be said that

Asperger’s work consisted on a historic review of specific Autism case studies that even though were a great basis for the upcoming research in the

Asperger syndrome is a lifelong neurological development disorder that affects how a person’s brain processes information (McPartland & Klin, 2006; Foreman & Arthur-Kelly, 2011). It is an autism spectrum disorder and is characterised primarily by qualitative degrees of “impairments in social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communications and by repetitive patterns of behaviour, interests and activities” (Barnhill, 2001, p. 260).

ASD and Autism are both general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development (What Is Autism, n.d.). Prior to 2013, patients could be diagnosed under Autistic Disorder (AD), Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD), Asperger’s Syndrome (AS) or Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD). In 2013, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) merged all Autism Disorders under one umbrella termed ASD so that it will improve the diagnosis of ASD without limiting the sensitivity of the criteria or substantially changing the number of children being diagnosed. (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).