Asperger syndrome

Asperger syndrome is an autism spectrum disorder, one of a range of related conditions which cause difficulty relating to others and problems making sense of the world

Asperger's tends to be considerably less severe than autism, and often manifests in "eccentric" behaviour rather than pronounced and obvious disability.

It was first identified as a separate condition in 1944 by a German Doctor, Hans Asperger, who spotted similar, odd behaviours in more than one of his patients.

The subtle characteristics which make up the condition often lead to it being missed by doctors who might spot the more noticeable deficits of other types of autism.

No form of autism is well understood by doctors, but there is a particular dearth of knowledge about Asperger's.

What are the symptoms?

Many people with Asperger's tend to have average, or above average, intelligence.

Many lead highly productive lives, in highly specialised fields such as academia.

Nevertheless, their behaviour is often slightly abnormal - perhaps lacking social skills even if they are more socially aware and willing to interact than people with other kinds of autism.

People with Asperger's can often appear to lack common sense.

It is common for someone with Asperger's to be obsessed with complex topics such as music, history, or the weather.

They may also become intensely focused on one particular issue.

Another feature of the syndrome is the tendency to stick to inflexible behavioural routines.

People with Asperger's often have above average verbal skills, but in some cases the voice appears to be flat and lacking in emotion, speech can be stilted and repetitive, and conversations tend to revolve around self rather than others.

Some people with Asperger's have dyslexia or writing problems.

Those with severe Asperger's can be prone to depression or even aggression.

What causes it?

No-one knows. However, there is some research to suggest genetics plays a role.

Other research has linked the condition to environmental factors, such as pollution, or viruses like rubella (German measles).

What about diagnosis and treatment?

There are estimated to be in the region of 30,000 UK children currently diagnosed with Asperger's.

The diagnosis is extremely subjective, relying heavily on interpretation of behaviour patterns rather than any physical test.

Treatment programmes can include training in social skills to improve interpersonal interactions.

Cognitive behavioural therapy is also used to to improve the management of stress and anxiety, and to cut back on obsessive interests and repetitive routines.

Few medications are available. Drugs such as Ritalin are suggested by many as a possibility, although its use is controversial.

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
National Autistic Society
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