Introduction:
Asperger syndrome is a specific autism spectrum disorder. The clinical features are the following:
- Passion for favourite topics or special interests. Some of these areas include: Music, Reading, Trains, weather etc.
Socialization deficits
- These are inflexible and in capable of coping with change.
- Described as being “in OUR world, but, ON THEIR OWN terms”
- Different from “typical Autism”
- Difficulties in making social connections.
- Easily stressed and emotionally vulnerable
- Lack effective interaction skills not desire.
- They could not understand human relations and rules of social convention.
- Preoccupied with own agenda
- Unable to appropriately respond to social cues.
Social Problems
Many Asperger’s kid’s social problems are not recognised until they enter preschool. The first thing noticed may be a tendency to avoid spontaneous social interactions, to have problems maintaining a conversation and to have a tendency to repeat phrases and make odd statements.
Emotional responses such as anger, aggression’ or anxiety may be excessive or inappropriate to the situation
Use of Language
- Concentrate on language rather than abstract.
- Difficulty in understanding humour
- Early years: repetitive phrases or language or stock phrases from memorized material.
- Laugh at “wrong time” with jokes or interactions.
- Many have good sense of humour.
- Problems with taking turns in conversation.
- Prosody- speech volume, intonation, inflection, and rate is frequently deficient or unusual.
- Repetitive speech
- Loud or high pitched speech.
Cognitive Behaviors
- A superior rote memory.
- Ability to understand technical or factual information.
- Trouble absorbing abstract information.
- Physical symptoms
Delay in motor skills.
Problems with coordination.
Sensitivity to loud noises, odours, clothing or food textures.