DIFFERENT MINDS

AN INTRODUCTION TO ASPERGER’S SYNDROME

WHAT IS AUTISM?Autism is a complex developmental disability. Affects ability to communicate and interact with others. Usually appears during the first three years of life. A “spectrum disorder” & affects individuals differently and to varying degrees. Estimated that one in every 150 American children has some degree of autism.

ASPERGER’S SYNDROMEAsperger’s &Autism

Asperger’s Syndrome is an Autistic Spectrum Disorder. It causes difficulties in three main areas:

social communication social interaction social imagination

ASPERGER’S SYNDROMEAsperger’s is a term used to describe the milder end of autistic spectrum.First identified by Hans Asperger in 1940sIdentified cases shared some defining features of autismKey differences

speech less commonly delayed * motor deficits more common * later onset * only in boys.Asperger also suggested possible genetic link to father AS ‘High functioning’ and more treatable than standard autismAsperger’s Syndrome became a standard diagnosis in 1992 World Health Organization's diagnostic manual, International Classification of Diseases

COMMON SYMPTOMSpoor empathy; naive, inappropriate, one-sided social interactionlittle ability to form friendships social isolation pedantic and monotonic speech poor nonverbal communication absorption in narrow topicsfacts learned in rote fashionimpression of eccentricityclumsy and ill-coordinated movements odd posture.

VOICES

‘People with Aspergers live on a physical level ..emotions are invisible’

“If you've seen one Aspie, you've seen one Aspie,”

“I am very empathic. I can …feel what everyone is feeling … The problem is that it all comes in faster than I can process it.”

‘I think in pictures’

Kids with Asperger’s: http://tiny.cc/njwzaMy Asperger’s: http://tiny.cc/yppa7

THEORIES‘intense world’?Theory of Mind (‘Mind Blindness’)?Neurobiological: Cortisol/Testosterone?Extreme Male Brain Theory?Difference not disability?

Sally – Ann TestThis is used to assess the ability to see events from another point of view.

Children on the autistic spectrum typically cannot recognise that Ann will look in the basket for the ball – because she is not aware that it has been moved. They assume that because we can see what has happened to the ball, Ann can too.

WHY THE INCREASE IN AS?2006 survey found Asperger’s Syndrome to be the fastest rising psychiatric diagnosis amongst children in Silicone Valley

Misdiagnosis for general social difficulties?‘Geek Syndrome’? (see http://tiny.cc/52i6z)Atomised societyPreviously ignored condition?Classification problem?Predilection for adults to self-diagnose?

TEN THINGS TO THINK ABOUT1. AS is a broad description rather than an absolute formula.2. Often an ‘invisible’ condition.3. Transition anxiety is a strong feature – even small changes

in routine should be handled carefully.4. Some routine ‘body language’ may not be read correctly5. Try to be literal, logical and linear6. Take care to speak in a calm, controlled voice.7. Try to eliminate extraneous noise where possible8. AS helps explain but does not excuse9. You can have a happy, productive life with AS.10. Teach but don’t preach about Asperger’s Syndrome

‘THE WORLD NEEDS ALL KINDS OF MINDS’Temple Grandin was diagnosed with autism as a small child in the 1950s. Her astonishing achievements are an inspiration to everyone living with AS.

The Autistic Mind