INFORMATION ON ASPERGER SYNDROME

About this Asperger Syndrome site

The idea of this web site is to help families and friends who need some help or support with a child or adult with the condition Asperger Syndrome.

The only reason I wrote this site is because when I found out my Son had Asperger Syndrome and my wife and I found it quite hard to find out information regarding the condition and information regarding help and support. So I decided to search the net as well as use various books plus the information I received from the doctors dealing with my son.

From my findings I have put all the information I received I have put together on this site. Before you go any further I must state I am NOT a Doctor or expert on Asperger Syndrome I am just a father with a Son with Asperger Syndrome..

I Would welcome any feedback or suggestion on how to improve my site or add any information I may of missed so please feel free to mail me using the contact me link down the left hand side.

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What is Asperger Syndrome

Asperger's syndrome (AS), is a neurobiological disorder affecting several areas of one’s development in contrast with Autism. Asperger Syndrome is commonly referred to as a form of "high-functioning" autism. Individuals with Asperger's are considered to have a higher intellectual capacity while suffering from a lower social capacity.

Asperger syndrome is mostly a 'hidden disability'. This means that you can't tell that someone has the condition from their outward appearance

Asperger Syndrome Disorder is a milder variant of Autistic Disorder. Both Asperger Syndrome Disorder and Autistic Disorder are in fact subgroups of a larger diagnostic category, This larger category is called either Autistic Spectrum Disorder (in most European countries) or Pervasive Developmental Disorders “PDD” (in the USA).

Asperger syndrome is a condition on the autistic spectrum. It manifests in individual ways and can have both positive and negative effects on a person's life. Like other autistic spectrum disorders, Asperger's includes repetitive behaviour patterns and impairment in social interaction. So a person with Asperger’s are more likely to desire social acceptance, but may be unable to mediate social interactions due to not being able to read social cues, or body language from people around them.

Asperger Syndrome is a life long condition which is most commonly found in men rather than woman but With the right support and encouragement, people with Asperger syndrome can lead full and independent lives.

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Myths and Facts about Autism and AS

There are many Myths and Facts surrounding Autisic Conditions, like Autistic People Don't Build Relationships? So I have put a few Myths and Fact together on the following link  to try and help.

Click here for Myths and Facts

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History of Asperger Syndrome

Like Autism, Asperger's Syndrome was almost certainly around a very long time before any publications were made describing it or before it was given any official title or name. In 1926, 

For more on the History of Asperger Syndrome click here

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Signs of Asperger Syndrome

Asperger’s syndrome is a PPD (pervasive development disorder). PPD’S cause developmental delays in basic skills such as socialization and communication. 
Asperger’s syndrome has many of the characteristics of autism (a severe type of PPD). There are differences between the two. Children with Asperger’s Syndrome tend to be higher functioning. Children with Asperger’s Syndrome usually have normal intelligence and language development. 

Some of the common signs are as followed

• Problem Socialising

• Difficulty in Communicating

• Limitations in Imagination and Creative Play

• Special knowledgeable interests

• Dislike any changes in routines

• Appear to lack empathy

• Have unusual facial expressions or postures

• Have heightened sensitivity

• Have delayed motor development.

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Diagnostic

Who can diagnose you whith Aspergers is a big Question?

The 3 main professionals who can help are Psychiatrists, Clinical Psychologists or Paediatricians.

In the UK the best place to start is your locla GP who can refer you to correct professional to help, or you could contact the Natinal Autistic Society who have a small list of qualified and practitioners who could also help.

How long does a Diagnostic Take?

Diagnosis can take many months to wait for appointments. If you have the cash you can go private which will be faster but alot more expensive.

Please try this aspergers test, 90% people with aspergers who take the quiz get a score of 25 or higher

Click Here for a Online Asperger Test

***The onlineAspergers test is not part of this site***

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Asperger Syndrome Key Characteristics

Many of the Characteristics in Asperger Syndrome are very similar to the characteristics in Autism. The main characteristics can differ greatly and some may be demonstrated more strongly than others due to everyone being different. The Key Characteristics are:

Difficulty with Social Relationships Unlike people with classic autism, whom often appear withdrawn and uninterested in the world around them, Many people with Asperger Syndrome try very hard to be sociable and enjoy human contact. However they do find if hard to understand the non-verbal signals like facial expressions.

Difficulty with Communications people with Asperger Syndrome may sometimes speak very fluently but they may not take much notice of the reaction of people listening to them. They may talk on and on regardless if the person there talking to is not interested. Despite having good language skills, people with Asperger Syndrome may some times sound over-precise or over-literal. Some times jokes can cause problems as can exaggerated language and metaphors. An example of this could be a simple statement like "she bit my head off" this statement may confuse or frightened the person with Asperger's.

Limitations in Imagination While Asperger's people often excel at learning facts and figures they can find it hard to think in abstract ways. This can cause problems for children in school where they may have difficulty with certain subjects such as literature or religious studies.

Special Interests People with Asperger's often develop an almost obsessive interest in a hobby or collection. Usually their interest involves arranging or memorizing facts about certain subjects. Some children with Asperger's may also be very precise while playing with tops and find it hard when other children try to join in and move objects from a certain place. However with encouragement, interests can be developed so that some people with Asperger's can go on to study or work in their favourite subjects.

Love of Routines For people with Asperger's any unexpected change in a routine can be upsetting. Young Children may impose their new routine, such as insisting on always going the same way to school. At home or school they may get upset by sudden changes, such as changes to class activities. People with Asperger's often prefer to order their day according to a set pattern. If they have set hours and there is any delay, such as a traffic hold up or any general lateness this can cause them to be anxious or upset.

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What causes Asperger Syndrome 

Researchers and mental health experts are still investigating the causes of autism and AS. Many believe that the pattern of behaviour that characterizes AS may have many causes. There seems to be a hereditary component to AS, and research indicates that in some cases AS may be associated, however it has been observed that AS is often found in children with pre-,peri-,or post natal problems and nearly half of those diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome have suffered lack of oxygen at birth.

Scientists have pinpointed a rogue genes that could unlock the riddle to Asperger Syndrome. Three major Studies have identified specific genetic links to autism, related to the development and 'wiring' of the brain.

The findings suggest that flaws in proteins called cell adhesion molecules are present in more then two-thirds of cases and are central to some 15 per cent. the proteins play a vital role in shaping brainconnections and the way nerve cells communicate.

Overall, more than 130 genes may be linked to the condition, acting together to predispose a child to Aspergers, BUT now the controversial research linking the MMR jab to autism has now been widely discredited.

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 Is there a cure 

The Simple Answer is NO. But a person with Asperger Syndrome can learn to cope with it. Asperger Syndrome is a developmental disability affecting the way the brain processes information. Child who have Asperger Syndrome become Adults with Asperger Syndrome. The good point of this is Much can be achieved with the appropriate education and support. With time and patience people with Asperger Syndrome can be taught to develop the basic skills needed for everyday life, such as how to communicate appropriately with people.

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What does the future hold 

Children with AS can learn to manage their differences, but they may continue to find social situations and personal relationships challenging. Adults with AS are able to work successfully in mainstream jobs and live an independent life.

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Teaching Strategies 

Dealing with a child with Asperger Syndrome or any AS condition can be hard and time consuming but with the right teaching strategies, things can be much much easier. The follow page has a few tips and suggestion that aim to help teachers and carer's deal and manage children with asperger syndrome.

link to help with teaching strategies

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What can you do to Help at home 

Although AS presents challenges for both affected children and their parents, there are a number of steps you can take to help your child adjust and help support his progress.

Look into educational or training programs for parents. You are not only your child's first teachers, you will also continue to be the cornerstone in supporting your child throughout his development.

Teach your child self-help skills. Encouraging the learning of these skills will help your child achieve maximum independence.

Because it's not always obvious to others that your child has AS, alert others to the fact that your child has special needs. As a parent, you may have to take on the role of educator when dealing with teachers, medical personnel, and other caregivers.

When seeking a program for your child, try to find one that addresses your child's specific needs or areas of "deficiency." The Autism Society of America (ASA) encourages family members to talk to the program director to determine if the curriculum or program addresses their child's particular issues.

Choose special programs or treatments that focus on long-term outcomes and that take the developmental level of your child into consideration.

Remember that your child is part of a family unit and that your child's needs should be balanced with the needs of other family members.

Get support for yourself and other family members. You can't help your child if you are not meeting your own emotional and physical needs. Your community may offer support groups at a local hospital or mental health center. There is considerable state-to-state variation in the types of government-sponsored services and other programs available to children with autism spectrum disorders and their families

Link to What can you do

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Famous People with Asperger Syndrome or similar autistic traits

Over the years there has been many famous people who either had or are thought to have Asperger Syndrome or a simlar traits. The following link will take you to a full list of famous people.

Famous People with Asperger Syndrome Link

here is a short list of some of the people on the list

• Bill Gates (US global monopolist)

  Alford Hitchcock (English Film Director)

  Hans Christian Anderson (Author of children's stories)

  Dan Aykroyd (Comedian/Actor who claims to have AS)

  Satoshi Tajiri (Creator of POKEMON)

  Hans Aspergers (Austrian Paediatric Doctor)

• Jim Henson (Creator of the Muppets)

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Other Related Conditions

There are a number of other condition that over lap with Asperger Syndrome. and the follow links will give more information

Dyspraxia known also as Clumsy Child Syndrome

ADHD

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Asperger Syndrome Books

There are many books on the market but for me the best 3 books are Freaks, Geeks and Asperger Syndrome by Luke Jackson and a new book Asperger's Syndrome - the Essential Guide by Hilary Hawkes and the book that most helped my son, Asperger Syndrome, the Universe and Everything by kenneth Hall

The Following link will give you a short review of some of the available Asperger Syndrome books.

Book Reviews Links

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Interviews with people affected by Asperger Syndrome

Interviews

Site News

We've been able to help an author with his research for a novel which will feature the abduction of a young girl with Asperger's Syndrome.  

Geoffrey Seed, a former television producer and journalist, asked to spend time with us to see how AS affects a child and impacts on its family.      

"There is no substitute for hearing the experiences of people with first hand knowledge" he said. "It's also hugely important that the 'invisible' handicap of AS is portrayed accurately so it is better understood by the public."  

It might take a year for his book to be published so we will post details when it's ready. But it will follow on from his first novel, A Place of Strangers (ISBN 978 0 9563686 1 4) which one reviewer described as a "...tense, taut thriller of the highest quality" while the actor, Patrick Malahide, recommended it as "...intelligent, seamless and satisfyingly complex with a whiff of Le Carre."  

We were glad to have been of assistance.

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