| While Asperger's Disorder was added to the | | | | good language skills but use language in an unusual |
| American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and | | | | way: speech may lack inflection, or have a |
| Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) in | | | | rhythmic nature. Subtleties of language such as |
| 1994 as its own disorder, separate from autism, | | | | irony or humor may be lost on these children, and |
| many professionals consider it a less severe form | | | | they may not understand the way a conversation |
| of autism. What is it about Asperger's that sets it | | | | works and cannot engage in the give-and-take of |
| apart from other types of ASDs? | | | | conversation. |
| Characteristics of Asperger's Disorder | | | | Most children with Asperger's have average to |
| The Autism Society describes the characteristics | | | | above average intelligence and do not have |
| of Asperger's as being like those of a "normal" | | | | significant cognitive delays. Motor skills may be |
| child to the untrained eye - just one whose | | | | delayed, however, and these children may seem |
| behavior is different. Children with this disorder | | | | awkward or clumsy. |
| frequently have good language and cognitive skills. | | | | How is Asperger's Diagnosed? |
| In fact, what sets it apart from other ASDs is | | | | Whether Asperger's diagnoses are on the rise is |
| the degree to which children are affected and the | | | | unclear: it may be that it is simply being detected |
| severity of symptoms. | | | | more frequently, not occurring more frequently. |
| Children with Asperger's Disorder do not appear | | | | To be diagnosed with Asperger's, a child must |
| uninterested in others, as do children with autism. | | | | have normal language development and |
| Asperger's children usually want to interact with | | | | intelligence, but have "severe and sustained |
| others but just don't know how to do so. They | | | | impairment in social interaction, and the |
| may show a lack of empathy or be socially | | | | development of restricted, repetitive patterns of |
| awkward, make limited eye contact, and seem | | | | behavior, interests and activities that must cause |
| disengaged in conversation. | | | | clinically significant impairment in social, occupational |
| Children with Asperger's often have interests in | | | | or other important areas of functioning." |
| subjects that may border on an obsession. | | | | Developmental history and observation is key to |
| Collecting things like bottle caps, or being proficient | | | | diagnosing this disorder; if it is suspected, then |
| in categories of information, such as baseball | | | | generally a diagnosis of autism will be ruled out |
| statistics, are characteristics of Asperger's. These | | | | first. As with any other disorder, early diagnosis |
| children have difficulty with abstract concepts, but | | | | and treatment is key in getting treatment |
| have good rote memory skills. | | | | started, so check with your pediatrician first if |
| By definition, there is no speech delay with | | | | you have concerns that your child may be |
| Asperger's Disorder. These children often have | | | | affected by this disorder. |