We’ve all heard the term Asperger Syndrome, but what does it really mean?!
The term was initially derived by Austrian Paediatrician Hans Asperger in the 1940s. To his experience, he recognised people lacked social skills, and had extremely narrow-minded interests. Forwarding 40 years to the 1980’s, British psychiatrist Lorna Wing developed the concept “Asperger Syndrome” which later become listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-4) in 1994, until conclusively in 2013 it became incorporated under the umbrella term, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5 (DSM-5).
Famous people with Asperger Syndrome include Michelangelo, Abraham Lincoln, Robyn Williams & Bill Gates.
Those with Asperger Syndrome see, hear and feel the world differently to individuals around them. Often, they feel that Asperger Syndrome is a fundamental aspect of their identity.
So, you may be wondering now how is it diagnosed?
The characteristics of Asperger syndrome vary from one person to another, though in order to obtain a diagnosis, the individual will usually be assessed as having persistent difficulties with social communication and social interaction with restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviours, activities or interests. These behaviours, in particular, may limit and impair their everyday functioning.
So, let’s dive into the topic a little deeper. What are the characteristics that present in a typical individual with Asperger Syndrome?
Characteristics of Asperger Syndrome
The characteristics of Asperger syndrome vary from one person to another. In order to obtain a diagnosis, the individual will usually be assessed as having persistent difficulties with social communication and social interaction with restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviours, activities or interests. These behaviours, in particular, may limit and impair their everyday functioning.
So, let’s dive into the topic a little deeper. What are the characteristics that present in a typical individual with Asperger Syndrome?
SOCIAL COMMUNICATION
Individuals with Asperger Syndrome, have difficulties with interpreting both verbal and non-verbal language, such as facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice. Many have a very literal understanding of language and tend to assume people mean exactly what they say. They may also experience difficulty in interpreting jokes and sarcasm, vagueness and abstract concepts.
Individuals with Asperger Syndrome usually have good language skills, though will still present with difficulties in understanding the expectations of others within conversations. For example, repeating what the other person is saying or talking extensively about their own interests.
SOCIAL INTERACTION
Those with Asperger Syndrome often have difficulty ‘reading’ interactions with others and recognising or understanding the feelings or intentions of individuals. At times, it is also difficult to express their own emotions, making it difficult for them to navigate the social world and create friendships. They may present to be:
- Insensitive towards others,
- Seek a time out when overwhelmed,
- Refuse comfort from those around them, and
- Appear to behave ‘strangely’ or in a way thought to be socially unexpected.
REPETITIVE BEHAVIOUR AND ROUTINES
The world can often be unpredictable and inconsistent, thus for people with Asperger Syndrome, who prefer to have a routine and predictability, it can be a difficult environment to adjust too. Here, the typical behaviours that may be presented in such situations could be anxiety, over-reactivity to situations and meltdowns.
The use of rules is also a very important concept. It may be difficult for someone to take a different approach to something once they have been taught the ‘right’ way to do it. They may not be comfortable with the idea of change but will be able to do so if taught how to prepare for changes in advance.
SENSORY SENSITIVITY
Individuals with Asperger Syndrome may also be either over or under-responsive to sounds, touch, tastes, smells, light, colours, temperatures or pain. For example, they may find certain background sounds, which other people ignore or block out, unbearably loud or distracting. This can cause anxiety or even physical pain. Or they may be fascinated by lights or spinning objects.
Despite these behaviours, individuals who present with Asperger Syndrome have amazing strengths and talents! They have remarkable focus and persistence, a profound capacity to recognise patterns and intricate attention to detail. These tendencies vary amongst each individual, though many learn to overcome their challenges by building on strengths through an array of therapies. These could include:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy – helps address anxiety and personal challenges.
- Social Skills Training – assist with conversational skills and understanding social cues.
- Speech Therapy– develop speech and language skills
- Occupational Therapy – assist the individual in developing their independence
If you feel like your child might struggle with some of these issues, give us a call to discuss your concerns – 02 9913 2823
