Asperger syndrome
Key points
- In Asperger syndrome, a young child experiences impaired social interactions and develops limited repetitive patterns of behavior.
- Hans Asperger labeled this disorder "Autistic Psychopathy" in 1944, and the cause is still unknown.
- Signs and tests Physical, emotional, and mental evaluations are usually performed to rule out other causes.
- Treatment depends on the patient's level of adaptive functioning.
Alternative names
Pervasive developmental disorder
Definition
In Asperger syndrome, a young child experiences impaired social interactions and develops limited repetitive patterns of behavior. Motor milestones may be delayed and clumsiness is often observed.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Hans Asperger labeled this disorder "Autistic Psychopathy" in 1944, and the cause is still unknown. There is a possible relation to autistic disorder (Autism). Some researchers believe that Asperger sydrome is simply a mild form of Autism.
The child with Asperger shows below-average nonverbal communication gestures, fails to develop peer relationships, has an inability to express pleasure in other people's happiness, and lacks the ability to reciprocate emotionally in normal social interactions. The condition appears to be more common in boys than in girls. There are likely genetic factors, but some theories suggest a prenatal infection may be to blame.
While people with Asperger syndrome are frequently socially inept, many have above-average intelligence, and they may excel in fields like computer programming and science. There is no delay in cognitive development, in the development of age-appropriate self-help skills, or in curiosity about the environment. Generally, there is no language development delay.
Symptoms
- Abnormal nonverbal communication, such as problems with eye contact, facial expressions, body postures, or gestures
- Failure to develop peer relationships
- Being singled out by other children as "weird" or "strange"
- Lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests or achievements with others (a lack of showing, bringing, or pointing out objects of interest to other people)
- Markedly impaired expression of pleasure in other people's happiness
- Inability to return social or emotional feelings
- Inflexibilty about specific routines or rituals
- Repetitive finger flapping, twisting, or whole body movements
- Unusually intense preoccupation with narrow areas of interest, such as obsession with train schedules, phone books, or collections of objects
- Preoccupation with parts of whole objects
- Repetitive behaviors, including repetitive self-injurious behavior
Physical, emotional, and mental evaluations are usually performed to rule out other causes.
Written and revised by
Gerald Hurowitz, M.D.
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