Asperger described his patients as "little professors".

Asperger's syndrome (AS, or the more common shorthand Asperger's), is characterized as one of the five pervasive developmental disorders, and is commonly referred to as a form of high functioning autism. In very broad terms, individuals with Asperger's are considered to have at least normal intellectual capacity and an atypical social capacity, often with emotional/social development or integration happening later than usual, as a result. The following codes are used with International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. ... The following is a list of codes for International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. ... Download high resolution version (484x951, 116 KB) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Download high resolution version (484x951, 116 KB) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ...

The term "Asperger's syndrome" was coined by Lorna Wing in a 1981 medical paper. She named the syndrome after Hans Asperger, an Austrian psychiatrist and pediatrician. Dr Lorna Wing, MD FRCPsych, qualified in medicine in 1952 and then trained in psychiatry. ... 1981 is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Hans Asperger (February 18, 1906 – October 21, 1980) was the Austrian pediatrician after whom Aspergers Syndrome is named. ... Psychiatry is a branch of medicine that studies and treats mental and emotional disorders (see mental illness). ... Pediatrics (also spelled paediatrics or pædiatrics) is the branch of medicine that deals with the medical care of infants and children. ...

Prevalence

A 1993 total population study carried out in Sweden found that, at a minimum, 3.6 per 1000 school-aged children definitely meet the criteria for Asperger's syndrome. If merely suspected cases are included, the prevalence becomes approximately 7.1 per 1000 (Ehlers & Gillberg). Data for the adult population is not available. Christopher Gillberg, born 1950, professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Gothenburg University in Gothenburg, Sweden, and at St Georges Hospital Medical School, London. ...

Like other conditions classified as autism spectrum disorders, Asperger's syndrome appears to be somewhat more prevalent among males than females, with males comprising approximately 75-80 percent of diagnoses. Many clinicians believe that this may not reflect the actual incidence among females; well-known Asperger's syndrome expert Tony Attwood suggests that females learn to better compensate for their impairments due to differences in socialization (Attwood, pp 151-2). Some preliminary evidence for this is found in the Ehlers & Gillberg study, which found a 4:1 male to female ratio in the cases they felt definitely had Asperger's, but a much less lopsided 2.3 to 1 ratio when merely suspected or otherwise borderline cases were included. A boy with autism and his mother Autism refers to a spectrum of disorders, and lies somewhere under the umbrella of a greater encompassing spectrum, that of pervasive developmental disorders that involve the functioning of the brain. ... Tony Attwood (born 1952 in Birmingham, United Kingdom) is the author of several books on Aspergers Syndrome. ...

The overwhelming majority of the available information on Asperger's syndrome relates to children; there is currently more conjecture than hard evidence on how it affects adults. It is thought that most people with Asperger's syndrome learn to better cope with their symptoms later in life, but there is no "cure" as such and many, including prominent clinicians such as Attwood as well as many of those diagnosed with Asperger's, would strenuously argue that a cure is neither possible nor desirable (see "#A gift and a curse" and "#Culture", below). Organizations such as Cure Autism Now disagree; this remains a highly controversial area. Cure Autism Now or CAN is an organization dedicated to finding a possible cure for autism d funds a lot of research (such as genetic research) to this end. ...

Characteristics

The most common and important characteristics of Asperger's syndrome can be divided into several broad categories — social impairments, narrow but intense interests, and speech and language peculiarities. There are also other features commonly associated with this syndrome, but not always held to be necessary for diagnosis. It should be noted that this section reflects mainly Attwood, Gillberg and Wing's thinking on what the most important characteristics of Asperger's are; the DSM-IV criteria (see below) represent a slightly different view. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published by the American Psychiatric Association, is the handbook used most often in diagnosing mental disorders in the United States and other countries. ...

Social impairments

Though there is no single feature that all people with Asperger's syndrome share, difficulties with social behaviour are nearly universal and are perhaps the most important criteria that define the condition. People with Asperger's syndrome lack the natural ability to see the subtexts of social interaction and equally lack the ability to broadcast their own emotional state.

Non-autistics are able to gather a whole host of information about other people's cognitive and emotional states based on clues gleaned from the environment and the other person's facial expression and body language, but people with Asperger's syndrome have an impairment in this ability, sometimes referred to as mind-blindness. To be mind-blind is to find it difficult or even impossible to figure out things a person implies but does not say directly (more colloquially, to "read between the lines"). This is not because they cannot imagine the answer, but because they cannot choose among the possibilities — the mind-blind individual cannot reliably gather enough information to do so, or does not know how to interpret the information he or she does gather. The term cognition is used in several different loosely related ways. ... In psychology and common use, emotion is an aspect of a human beings mental state, normally based in or tied to the persons internal (physical) and external (social) sensory feeling. ... Body language of US General Michael W. Hagee Body language is a broad term for several forms of communication using body movements or gestures, instead of, or as a complement to, sounds, verbal language, or other forms of communication. ... Mind-blindness can be described as an inability to develop an awareness of what is in the mind of another human - a lack, indeed, of empathy. ...

Along with this difficulty in "reading" the non-verbal communication of others, most individuals with Asperger's have difficulty expressing their own emotional state via body language, facial expression, and nuance in the way that most people do. Such people have emotional responses as strong as, or perhaps stronger than, most people, though what generates an emotional response might not always be the same; the difficulty is with expressing these feelings, though it sometimes comes across as lacking them. For example, many people with Asperger's syndrome have difficulty with eye contact. Some make very little eye contact because they find it overwhelming, while others have unmodulated, staring eye contact that can cause discomfort to other people. Similarly, the use of gestures may be almost nonexistent, or may seem exaggerated and differ from what would normally be considered appropriate for a situation. In psychology and common use, emotion is an aspect of a human beings mental state, normally based in or tied to the persons internal (physical) and external (social) sensory feeling. ... Eye contact is a visual connection made as one person gazes into the eyes of another. ...

It is worth noting that since it is classified as a spectrum disorder, some people with Asperger's syndrome are nearly normal in their ability to read and use facial expressions and other relatively subtle forms of communication. However this does not come naturally to most people with Asperger's syndrome. Such people must learn social skills intellectually, delaying social development.

Narrow, intense interests

Asperger's syndrome can involve an intense and obsessive level of focus on things of interest. For example, one person might be obsessed with 1950's professional wrestling, another with national anthems of African dictatorships, and another with building models out of matchsticks. Particularly common interests are means of transport (such as trains), computers, and dinosaurs. Sometimes these interests are lifelong; in other cases, they change at unpredictable intervals. In either case, there are normally one or two at any given time. In pursuit of these interests, the individual with Asperger's often manifests extremely sophisticated reason, an almost obsessive focus, and eidetic memory. Hans Asperger called his young patients "little professors", based on the fact that he thought his thirteen-year-old patients had as comprehensive and nuanced an understanding of their field of interest as university professors. Bruno Sammartino puts the pressure on Stan The Man Stasiak. ... A national anthem is a generally patriotic musical composition that is formally recognized by a countrys government as their states official national song. ... // Etymology World map showing Africa (geographically) The name Africa came into Western use through the Romans, who used the name Africa terra — land of the Afri (plural, or Afer singular) — for the northern part of the continent, as the province of Africa with its capital Carthage, corresponding to modern-day... Dictatorship, in contemporary usage, refers to absolute rule by a leadership (usually one dictator) unrestricted by law, constitutions, or other social and political factors within the state. ... Photographic memory, eidetic memory, or total recall, is the ability to recall images, sounds, or objects in memory with great accuracy and in seemingly unlimited volume. ... Hans Asperger (February 18, 1906 – October 21, 1980) was the Austrian pediatrician after whom Aspergers Syndrome is named. ...

Some clinicians would not entirely agree with this description; Wing and Gillberg, for example, both argue that there is often more rote memorization than real understanding of these areas of interest, despite occasional appearances to the contrary. It may be worth pointing out, however, that such a limitation is not required for diagnosis, even under Gillberg's criteria.

People with Asperger's syndrome often have little patience for things outside these areas of interest. During the school years, many are perceived as highly intelligent underachievers, clearly capable of massively outperforming their peers in their field of interest yet seemingly impossible to motivate to do regular day-to-day homework assignments (sometimes even in their areas of interest). Additionally, in more serious cases, the combination of social impairments and intense interests can lead to peculiar behaviour, such as greeting a stranger by launching into a lengthy monologue about a special interest rather than by saying "hello" and introducing oneself.

Speech and language peculiarities

People with Asperger's syndrome are often noted for having a highly pedantic way of speaking, using language far more formal and structured than the situation would normally be thought to call for. A five-year-old child with this condition may regularly speak in language that could easily have come from a university textbook, especially on their special areas of interest.

Literal interpretation is another common, though not universal, hallmark of this condition. Attwood gives the example of a girl with Asperger's syndrome who answered the telephone one day and was asked "Is Paul there?". Though the Paul in question was in the house, he was not in the room with her, so after looking around to ascertain this, she simply said "no" and hung up. The person on the other end had to call back and explain to her that he meant for her to find him and get him to pick up the telephone (Attwood, 78).

Many people with Asperger's syndrome also make idiosyncratic use of words, including new coinages as well as unusual juxtapositions. This can develop into a rare gift for humour (especially puns, wordplay, doggerel, satire) or writing. (Another potential source of humour is the eventual realization that their literal interpretations can be used to amuse others.) Some are so proficient with written language as to qualify as hyperlexic. Tony Attwood refers to a particular child's skill at inventing expressions, e.g. "tidying down" (the opposite of tidying up) or "broken" (when referring to a baby brother who cannot walk or talk) (Attwood, 82). Juxtaposition (noun) is an act or instance of placing two things close together or side by side. ... A pun (also known as paronomasia) is a figure of speech which consists of a deliberate confusion of similar words or phrases for rhetorical effect, whether humorous or serious. ... Word play is a literary technique in which the nature of the words used themselves become part of the subject of the work. ... Doggerel describes verse considered of little literary value. ... Satire is a literary technique of writing or art which exposes the follies of its subject (for example, individuals, organizations, or states) to ridicule, often as an intended means of provoking or preventing change. ... Hyperlexia is a syndrome often connected with autism. ...

Other characteristics

Those affected by Asperger's may also manifest a range of other sensory, developmental, and physiological anomalies. It is common for Asperger's children to evidence a marked delay in the development of fine motor skills. They may display a distinctive "waddling" or "mincing" gait when they walk and may walk with their arms held out in an unusual manner. Compulsive finger, hand, or arm movements, such as flapping, are also observed. A motor skill is a skill required for proper usage of skeletal muscles. ...

In general, orderly things have appeal to individuals with Asperger's. Some researchers mention the imposition of rigid routines (on self or others) as a criterion for diagnosing this condition. It appears that changes to their routines cause inordinate levels of anxiety for at least some people with this condition (Attwood 100).

Some people with Asperger's suffer from varying degrees of sensory overload, and may be pathologically sensitive to loud noises or strong smells or dislike being touched — for example, certain Asperger's children exhibit a strong dislike of having their head touched or their hair disturbed. Such sensory overload may exacerbate problems faced by Asperger's children at school, where levels of noise in the classroom can become intolerable for them. Some are also unable to block out certain repetitive stimuli, such as the constant ticking of a clock. Whereas most children will stop registering this sound after a short time and can only hear it if they consciously listen for it, the child with Asperger's can become distracted, agitated, or even (in rare cases) violent if the sound is not removed. Sensory overload (sometimes abbreviated to SO) is when one or more of the five senses are strained and it becomes difficult to focus on the task at hand. ...

There seems to be a strong correlation between those with Asperger's syndrome or high functioning autism (HFA), and the INTP type of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI): description 1, description 2. Another theory states that Asperger's correlates to the INTJ personality type, whereas high functioning autism correlates to the INFJ personality type. This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... The Center for Applications of Psychological Type is a non-profit organization co-founded by Isabel Myers in 1975 for MBTI development, research and training. ...

Living with Asperger's Syndrome

Asperger's syndrome almost always leads to problems with normal social interaction with peers. These can be severe, especially in childhood and adolescence; children with Asperger's syndrome are often the target of bullying at school because of their idiosyncratic behaviour, language, and interests, and because of their lower or delayed ability to perceive and respond in socially expected ways to non-verbal cues, particularly in situations of interpersonal conflict. A child or teen with Asperger's syndrome is frequently puzzled as to the source of this mistreatment, unaware of what has been done "wrong". The social alienation of children with Asperger's syndrome can in some cases be so intense that they create imaginary friends for companionship (although this is certainly not specific to Asperger's syndrome as non-autistics may do the same as well). Even later in life, many people with Asperger's report a feeling of being unwillingly detached from the world around them. A bully is an individual who tends to torment others, either through verbal harassment or physical assaults, or through more subtle methods of coercion. ... An imaginary friend is a friend that is created in the minds of some young children. ...

Children with Asperger's syndrome often display advanced abilities for their age in language, reading, mathematics, spatial skills, or music, sometimes into the "gifted" range, but as noted above, this may be counterbalanced by appreciable delays in other developmental areas. This combination of traits can create problems with teachers and other authority figures. (It may be relevant here that one of the social conventions many people with AS ignore is respect for authority. Attwood notes a tendency to feel that everyone should be treated much the same regardless of what social position they may occupy; the student with AS may not give respect until he or she feels it has been earned, an attitude many teachers will either not understand or take strong exception to.) As with many gifted children, a child with Asperger’s might be regarded by teachers as a "problem child" or a "poor performer". The child’s extremely low tolerance and motivation for what they perceive to be mundane and mediocre tasks (such as typical homework assignments) can easily become frustrating; the teacher may well consider the child arrogant, spiteful, and insubordinate. Meanwhile, the child sits there mutely, feeling frustrated and wronged – and often having no idea how to express these feelings. Gifted children are those considered by educational systems to have significantly higher than normal levels of one or more forms of intelligence. ... In Christian dogma, pride (or vanity) is excessive belief in ones own abilities, that interferes with the individuals recognition of the grace of God. ...

Asperger's syndrome hardly guarantees a miserable life. The intense focus and tendency to work things out logically, a characteristic of Asperger's syndrome, often grants people with the syndrome a high level of ability in their field of interest. When these special interests coincide with a materially or socially useful task, the individual with Asperger's can often lead a profitable life. The child obsessed with naval architecture may grow up to be an accomplished shipwright, for instance.

On the other hand, many people with Asperger’s syndrome may experience inordinate levels of distress at having their routines disrupted or being denied the opportunity to express their special interests. For example, a child with Asperger’s Syndrome may be a gifted writer for her age, and may be happiest when spending class time working on her stories. The teacher may insist that the student instead pay attention to the lesson or work on assigned homework assignments. A non-autistic child in such circumstances may be mildly upset, but would probably reluctantly go along with the teacher; for a child with Asperger’s Syndrome, on the other hand, such an experience can be extremely traumatic and leave the teacher and the rest of the class wondering why the normally withdrawn child is suddenly angry or upset seemingly out of proportion to the situation. Dismissing the child’s concerns at such a juncture – perhaps by characterizing the concerns as immature or disrespectful in a moment of weakness – can be a serious blow to the child’s self-esteem which often is already somewhat fragile. In psychology, self-esteem or self-worth is a persons self-image at an emotional level; circumventing reason and logic. ...

While many people with Asperger's will not have lives that are considered a social success by common standards - and there are many who will remain alone their entire lives - it is certainly possible for them to find understanding people with whom they can have close relationships. Many autistics have children, in which case their children may or may not have an autism spectrum disorder. Also, many people with Asperger's syndrome will recognize that there is a problem and try to learn how to adapt to living among people without the syndrome, even if they are unaware of the term "Asperger's Syndrome" itself or believe it does not apply to them. It is possible with training and self-discipline for a child with Asperger's to end up as an adult who, while still having Asperger's, is able to interact well socially with others. However, due to somewhat delayed social development, it is not unusual for people with Asperger's to feel most comfortable with people somewhat younger than they are.

Significant others and family members of people with Asperger's are often more prone to depression than the general population because people with Asperger's may not spontaneously show affection, and can be very literal and hard to communicate with in an emotional way. However, not showing affection (or not doing so in conventional ways) does not necessarily mean that he or she does not feel it. Understanding this can lead the significant other to feel less rejected and be more understanding. There are usually ways to work around the problems; for example, by being more explicit about their needs. For instance, when describing emotions, it can be helpful to be direct and to avoid vague terms like "upset" when the emotion being described is "anger". It is often effective to lay out in clear language what the problem is and to ask the partner with Asperger's to describe what emotions are being felt or ask why a certain emotion was being felt. It is very helpful if the family member or significant other reads as much as he or she can about Asperger’s syndrome and any comorbid disorders that may exist (such as the references in this article). Significant Other is the second album by Limp Bizkit. ... Look up Depression on Wiktionary, the free dictionary Depression may refer to one of the following: Clinical depression, a medical condition which includes decreased interest in pleasurable activities Depression (mood), an everyday term for a sad mood Depression (geology), a sunken or depressed geological formation Depression (economics) is a more... In medicine and in psychiatry, comorbidity refers to: The presence of one or more disorders (or diseases) in addition to a primary disease or disorder. ...

Definitions & Diagnostic Criteria

Asperger's is defined in section 299.80 of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) as: The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual published by the American Psychiatric Association The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published by the American Psychiatric Association, is the handbook used most often in diagnosing mental disorders in the United States and internationally. ...

1. Qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least two of the following:
   1. Marked impairments in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, body posture, and gestures to regulate social interaction.
   2. Failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level.
   3. A lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interest or achievements with other people (e.g., by a lack of showing, bringing, or pointing out objects of interest to other people).
   4. A lack of social or emotional reciprocity.
2. Restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests and activities, as manifested by at least one of the following:
   1. Encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus.
   2. Apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals.
   3. Stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g., hand or finger flapping or twisting, or complex whole-body movements).
   4. Persistent preoccupation with parts of objects.
3. The disturbance causes clinically significant impairments in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
4. There is no clinically significant general delay in language (e.g., single words used by age two years, communicative phrases used by age three years).
5. There is no clinically significant delay in cognitive development or in the development of age-appropriate self-help skills or adaptive behavior (other than in social interaction) and curiosity about the environment in childhood.
6. Criteria are not met for another specific Pervasive Developmental Disorder or Schizophrenia.

Please read the DSM cautionary statement. The diagnostic criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual are criticized for being vague and subjective; a condition which one psychologist might define as a "significant impairment" might be defined by another psychologist as merely insignificant. While not moving, a human can be in one of the following main positions. ... A DSM cautionary statement is required to create balance and perspective for the various diagnoses and criteria used in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) published by the American Psychiatric Association. ...

Christopher Gillberg in A Guide to Asperger Syndrome (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2002), also criticizes the "no significant delay" clauses of the DSM, and to a lesser extent some of the others as well, and argues the clauses represent a misunderstanding or oversimplification of the syndrome. He states that while there may well be significant delay in some areas of language development, it is often combined with exceptionally high functioning in other language-related areas, and argues that this combination superficially resembles, but is in reality very different from, normal development in language and adaptive behaviour. Christopher Gillberg, born 1950, professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Gothenburg University in Gothenburg, Sweden, and at St Georges Hospital Medical School, London. ...

Partly due to Asperger's Syndrome's relatively recent appearance in the DSM, and partly due to differences of opinion such as Gillberg's, there are at least three other, slightly different sets of diagnostic criteria used in the field besides the DSM-IV definition above. One is due to Gillberg himself and his wife, and is also endorsed by Attwood; among other differences, this definition emphasizes the linguistic peculiarities which go unmentioned in the DSM-IV criteria. Another definition is due to a team of Canadian researchers, and is often referred to as the Szatmari definition, after the first listed author of the paper in which these criteria first appeared. Both of these definitions were first published in 1989. The third is the ICD-10 definition; this one is similar to the DSM-IV version, and Gillberg criticizes it in much the same manner as he does the DSM-IV version. The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (commonly known by the abbreviation ICD) is a detailed description of known diseases and injuries. ...

Relationship to autism

Asperger's syndrome is named after Hans Asperger.

Experts today generally agree that there is no single mental condition called autism. Rather, there is a spectrum of autistic disorders, with different forms of autism taking different positions on this spectrum. But within certain circles of the autism community, this concept of a "spectrum" is being severely questioned. If differences in development are purely a function of differential acquisition of skills, then attempting to distinguish between "degrees of severity" may be dangerously misleading. A person may be subjected to unrealistic expectations, or even denied life-saving services, solely on the basis of very superficial observations made by others in the community. Image File history File links hans asperger This file has been listed on Wikipedia:Images and media for deletion. ...

In the 1940s, Leo Kanner and Hans Asperger, working independently in the United States and Austria, identified essentially the same population, though Asperger's group was perhaps more "socially functional" than Kanner's as a whole. Some of Kanner's originally identified autistic children might today get an Asperger's syndrome diagnosis, and vice versa. It is a mistake to say that a "Kanner autistic" is a child who sits and rocks and does not communicate. Kanner's study subjects were all along the spectrum. // Events and trends The 1940s were dominated by World War II, the most destructive armed conflict in history. ... Dr Leo Kanner MD Leo Kanner (June 13, 1894 - April 4, 1981) was an Austrian-American physician known for his work related to autism. ... Hans Asperger (February 18, 1906 – October 21, 1980) was the Austrian pediatrician after whom Aspergers Syndrome is named. ...

Traditionally, Kannerian autism is characterized by significant cognitive and communicative deficiencies, including delays in or lack of language. Often it will be clear that these people do not function normally. An individual with Asperger's on the other hand will not show delays in language. It is a more subtle disorder and affected individuals will often only appear to be eccentric.

Researchers are grappling with the problem of how to divide up the spectrum. There are many potential divisions, such as autistics who speak versus those who do not; autistics with seizures versus those without, autistics with more "stereotypical behaviors" versus those with fewer, and so forth. Some researchers continue to try and identify genes associated with these traits as a way to make logical groupings. Eventually, one may hear autistics described as being with or without the HOXA 1 gene, with or without changes to chromosome 15, etc. Seizures (or convulsions) are temporary alterations in brain function expressing themselves into a changed mental state, tonic or clonic movements and various other symptoms. ... This stylistic schematic diagram shows a gene in relation to the double helix structure of DNA and to a chromosome (right). ... Figure 1: Chromosome. ...

Leo Kanner identified another form of autism around the same time as Hans Asperger.

Some clinicians believe that communicative and/or cognitive deficiencies are so essential to the concept of autism that they prefer to consider Asperger's as a separate condition altogether from autism. This opinion is a minority one. Uta Frith (an early researcher of Kannerian autism) has written that people with Asperger's seem to have more than a touch of autism to them. Others, such as Lorna Wing and Tony Attwood, share in Frith's assessment. Dr. Sally Ozonoff, of the University of California at Davis's MIND institute, argues that there should be no dividing line between "high-functioning" autism and Asperger's, and that the fact that some individuals do not start to produce speech until a later age is no reason to divide the two groups, as they are identical in the way they need to be treated. Image File history File links Leo Kanner File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ...

Possible causes and origins

The causes and origins of Asperger's syndrome are an area of considerable debate and controversy. Current thought among most stipulates that the causes of Asperger's syndrome are the same as those of autism. Some disagree with this, however, and argue that Asperger's syndrome and autism are caused by different things. All of this happens while the broader debate over whether or not Asperger's and other conditions (such as ADHD) are part of the so-called autism spectrum continues. Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most commonly diagnosed mental disorders among children, and may be diagnosed in adults, where it is often referred to as Adult attention-deficit disorder (AADD) if symptoms were present in childhood (even if undiagnosed in childhood). ...

Amongst many competing theories for the cause of autism (and thus as many believe, Asperger's syndrome) are the underconnectivity theory developed by cognitive scientists at Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh, the extreme male brain theory by Simon Baron-Cohen, the pre-operational autism theory, the social construct theory, and genetics. Carnegie Mellon University Carnegie Mellon University is a private research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. ... The University of Pittsburgh is a state-related, doctoral/research university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. ... Simon Baron-Cohen, PhD, is a renowned British psychologist and director of the Autism Research Centre at the University of Cambridge, in the United Kingdom. ... Genetics (from the Greek genno γεννώ= give birth) is the science of genes, heredity, and the variation of organisms. ...

Some theories people argue more strongly for Asperger's syndrome than autism. It is sometimes argued that some particular theories play a bigger role in Asperger's syndrome, such as the social construct theory and genetics. However, this is an area of considerable controversy.

A gift and a curse

With the increase of Asperger's syndrome diagnoses, its image continues to shift from that of a disease to a more complex view of a syndrome with both advantages and disadvantages, as there are adults diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome or autism who have become quite successful in their fields, possibly as a direct result of intellectual gifts and above average focus and motivation associated with the syndrome. For example, some prominent Asperger-diagnosed individuals include Nobel Prize-winning economist Vernon Smith, Dr. Temple Grandin, and comedian/actor Dan Aykroyd. Sir Edward Appletons medal Photographs of Nobel Prize Medals. ... Vernon L. Smith is professor of economics and law at George Mason University, a research scholar in the Interdisciplinary Center for Economic Science, and a Fellow of the Mercatus Center all in Arlington, Virginia. ... Temple Grandin, PhD, (born August 29, 1947) is an associate professor at Colorado State University and arguably the most accomplished and well-known adult with high functioning autism in the world (the better known founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates, is thought by some to have Aspergers syndrome, a milder... Dan Aykroyd (left) with John Belushi in The Blues Brothers Daniel Edward Aykroyd (born July 1, 1952 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) is a comedian, actor and screenwriter. ...

Speculation about recognised people who may have Asperger's syndrome

Main article: List of recognised people with autism spectrum disorders

Main article: Speculation of famous people who might have autism

Recently, some researchers such as Simon Baron-Cohen and Ioan James have speculated that well-known figures of the past, such as Albert Einstein and Isaac Newton, had Asperger's syndrome, because they showed some Asperger's related tendencies or behaviors, such as intense interest in one subject, or social problems. A chapter of the aforementioned Gillberg book is devoted to this subject, including a detailed case study of the philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein concluding that he met the criteria for the disorder. Naturally, the lack of a diagnosis during a person's lifetime does not imply there was nothing to diagnose, particularly if there was not widespread awareness of the syndrome at the time (as is often the case with Asperger syndrome, which has only fairly recently been widely recognized in the psychiatric community). However, such posthumous diagnoses remain controversial. It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Speculation of famous people who might have autism. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with List of recognised people with autism spectrum disorders. ... Simon Baron-Cohen, PhD, is a renowned British psychologist and director of the Autism Research Centre at the University of Cambridge, in the United Kingdom. ... Ioan Mackenzie James (born May 23, 1928) is a British mathematician working in the field of topology particularly in homotopy theory. ... Albert Einstein, by Yousuf Karsh Albert Einstein (March 14, 1879 – April 18, 1955) was a German-born Jewish theoretical physicist of German, Swiss and American citizenship, who is widely regarded as the greatest scientist of the 20th century. ... Sir Isaac Newton at 46 in Godfrey Knellers 1689 portrait Sir Isaac Newton, PRS (25 December 1642 (OS) – 20 March 1727 (OS) / 4 January 1643 (NS) – 31 March 1727 (NS) was an English physicist, mathematician, astronomer, philosopher, and alchemist. ... Ludwig Wittgenstein (1889-1951), pictured here in 1930, made influential contributions to logic and the philosophy of language, critically examining the task of conventional philosophy and its relation to the nature of language. ...

The arguments for alleged autism-spectrum disorders in famous individuals vary from person to person. Some claim that in the case of Albert Einstein (one of the most frequently cited as allegedly autistic), he was a late speaker, was a loner as a child, had violent temper tantrums, repeated under his breath sentences he uttered, and needed his wives to act as parents when he was an adult--factors that are stereotypical of autistic individuals. Isaac Newton is known to have stuttered and was epileptic. Many of these suspected historical Asperger cases might have been quite mild, but some skeptics believe these cases frequently have only a few autistic traits but not enough for an autism-spectrum diagnosis. Finally, many critics of historical diagnosis claim it is simply not possible to diagnose the dead, so nothing can be said definitively regarding the Asperger status of historical figures. Albert Einstein, by Yousuf Karsh Albert Einstein (March 14, 1879 – April 18, 1955) was a German-born Jewish theoretical physicist of German, Swiss and American citizenship, who is widely regarded as the greatest scientist of the 20th century. ... Sir Isaac Newton at 46 in Godfrey Knellers 1689 portrait Sir Isaac Newton, PRS (25 December 1642 (OS) – 20 March 1727 (OS) / 4 January 1643 (NS) – 31 March 1727 (NS) was an English physicist, mathematician, astronomer, philosopher, and alchemist. ...

All this speculation may simply be an attempt to create role models for autistics and to demonstrate that autistics can do constructive things and contribute to society. Such speculative diagnoses are often used by autistic rights activists to argue that it would be a loss to society if autism were cured. Others in the autistic rights movement, however, dislike these arguments because they feel autistics should be able to value their uniqueness without the desire for a cure, regardless of whether or not people like Einstein were autistic. Role model refers to a person who fills his or her role as a good example for others. ... Some autistic people have at least some language skills, and have started to speak and/or write for themselves about their experience. ...

Shift away from view as a disease

The speculated social contributions of autistic individuals have contributed to the shift in the perception of autism-spectrum disorders as complex syndromes rather than diseases which must be cured . Proponents of this view reject the notion that there is an ideal brain configuration and that any deviation from the 'norm' must be considered pathological. They demand tolerance for what they call their neurodiversity in much the same way lesbian and gay individuals have demanded tolerance for theirs. Views such as these are the basis for the autistic rights and autistic pride movements. Pathology (in ancient Greek pathos = pain/pation and logos = word) is the study of diseases. ... Neurodiversity is a concept that atypical neurological wiring (neurodivergence) is a normal human difference that is to be tolerated and respected as any other human difference. ... Since its coining, the term homosexuality has acquired multiple meanings. ... Some autistic people have at least some language skills, and have started to speak and/or write for themselves about their experience. ...

There is a controversial theory within science fiction fandom arguing that many of the distinctive traits of that subculture may be explained by the speculation that a significant portion thereof has Asperger's syndrome. In addition, a Wired magazine article called "The Geek Syndrome" suggested that Asperger's syndrome is more common in the Silicon Valley, a haven for computer scientists and mathematicians. It created an enduring notion popularized in the media and self-help books that "Geek Syndrome" equals Asperger's syndrome, and precipitated a rash of self-diagnoses in part because it was printed alongside Simon Baron-Cohen's 50-question Autism-Spectrum Quotient Test. Like some people with Asperger's syndrome, geeks may exhibit an extreme professional or casual interest in computers, science, engineering and related fields, and may be introverted or prioritize work over other aspects of life. However, no determination has yet been made of whether the "Geek Syndrome" personality type has a direct relation to autism, or is simply a "variant normal" type that is not part of the autistic spectrum. Science fiction fandom or SF fandom is the community of people actively interested in science fiction and fantasy literature, and in contact with one another based upon that interest. ... As understood in sociology, anthropology and cultural studies, a subculture is a set of people with a distinct set of behaviour and beliefs that differentiate them from a larger culture of which they are a part. ... Wired magazine is a full-color monthly magazine and on-line periodical published in San Francisco, California since March 1993. ... A view of downtown San Jose, the self-proclaimed Capital of Silicon Valley. Like many large cities, San Joses downtown is expansive and encompasses much more area than shown in this view. ... Professor Frink from The Simpsons, a stereotypical science geek. ... The tower of a personal computer. ... // What is science? There are different theories of what science is. ... ...

Criticisms

Some people, including some people diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, argue that Asperger's syndrome is a social construct. Professor Simon Baron-Cohen of the Autism Research Centre has written a book arguing that Asperger's syndrome is an extreme version of the way in which men's brains differ from women's. He says that, in general, men are better at systematizing than women, and that women are better at empathizing than men (Baron-Cohen, 2003). Hans Asperger himself is quoted as saying that his patients have "an extreme version of the male form of intelligence". The concept of male vs. female intelligence is controversial, however, and while as of 2005 the theory of biodeterminism is fashionable among psychological and sociological researchers, it remains a theory and not a proven fact. Social scientists and literary scholars have claimed that many things are social constructions or social constructs, or that they have been socially constructed. ... Simon Baron-Cohen, PhD, is a renowned British psychologist and director of the Autism Research Centre at the University of Cambridge, in the United Kingdom. ... 2005(MMV) is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

As a category claimed to have a clearly defined neuro-biological basis, Asperger's syndrome probably has the same degree of validity as a whole host of other psychiatric labels such as ADHD, widely criticised by leading psychiatrists such as Peter Breggin and Sami Timimi, obsessive compulsive disorder (see OCD) and clinical depression, much promoted by the growing mental health sector and pharmaceutical industry. All the behavioural traits associated with this condition occur to varying degrees within the general population. People diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome vary considerably in terms of intellectual, professional and social performance, range of interests, loquacity, conformism, hypersensitivity etc.. While a small minority may be genuine high-functioning autistics (with a communication and attachment deficit noticeable from early infancy) and much diagnostic confusion reigns among autism experts, no scientific proof exists of a link between severe Kanner's type autism and the geekish and slightly quirkish attributes of so many within our society. Subtle environmental, somatic and neurological differences can shape the development of our personality and our socialisation strategies. Among those diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, a large number have some form of dyspraxia leading to a childhood predilection for solitary activities over group activities. Much is made of the central role played by the theory of mind in the categorisation of the autistic spectrum, yet clearly within the general population there is a huge variation in relative levels of social naivety and self-centredness. Many of our social skills are acquired in early infancy through bonding with our mother-figure and then through play with peers. Environmental factors interfering with these formative experiences may have lifelong repercussions leading some to withdraw from the social mainstream and become very private, nonsocial persons. Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most commonly diagnosed mental disorders among children, and may be diagnosed in adults, where it is often referred to as Adult attention-deficit disorder (AADD) if symptoms were present in childhood (even if undiagnosed in childhood). ... For other things named OCD, see OCD (disambiguation). ... Clinical depression is a health condition of depression with mental and physical components reaching criteria generally accepted by clinicians. ... Dyspraxia is a life-long developmental coordination disorder that is more common in males than in females, and has been believed to affect 8% to 10% of all children (Dyspraxia Trust, 1991). ...

Another objection which has been put forward to this view is that, although Asperger's syndrome is more common among males than females, females with Asperger's syndrome do not necessarily come across as particularly masculine personalities, and some of them can show an exceptional interest in allegedly "feminine" or "right-brained" activities such as art or dancing. Yet again, what is perceived as a "masculine personality" may not be what Baron-Cohen had in mind by male intelligence, and art or dancing may be considered feminine only by certain social conventions. That art or dancing are perceived by some to be feminine pursuits clearly does not mean that a patient's interest in it must be motivated or directed by a non-systematic (presumably "female" in Baron-Cohen's work) brain structure.

Culture

Main article: autistic culture

Many people with Asperger's syndrome generally refer to themselves in casual conversation as the more affectionate "aspie", or "aspy". Others prefer "Aspergian", "Asperger's autistic" or no name at all. Many who feel there is no significant difference between Asperger's syndrome and autism due to the spectrum analogous variances in autism may prefer the term "autie" or just "autistic" as a more general term. Autistic culture is a concept created in the spirit of Deaf culture that says that autism is a valid and unique way of being and not a disorder to be cured. ...

To refer to themselves as a group, many people with Asperger's syndrome use the term "neurodivergent", which comes from the fact that Asperger's syndrome is thought of as a neurological disorder by professionals. To refer to people who are non-autistic many of them will use the term "neurotypical", or the abbreviation NT. In addition, people who seek a cure for autism are sometimes pejoratively referred to as "curebies". A neurodivergent person is one whose neurological development and state are atypical, usually viewed as abnormal or extreme. ... A neurotypical (or NT) person is one whose neurological development and state are typical, conforming to what most people would perceive as normal. ...

See also

• General

• Autistic community
• Autistic Pride Day
• Conditions comorbid to autism spectrum disorders
• Picture thinking

• Groups

• Aspies For Freedom
• National Alliance for Autism Research

• Lists

• List of fictional characters on the autistic spectrum
• List of Aspergian Wikipedians

Autistic communities are groups of people who have been diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum, or who have self-identified as autistic, along with family members and other supporters. ... Autistic Pride Day is celebrated on June 18 of each year, starting in 2005. ... There are many comorbid disorders associated with autism spectrum disorders and Aspergers Syndrome. ... Picture Thinking, Visual Thinking or Visual/Spatial Learner is the phenomenon of thinking through visual processing, where most people would think with linguistic or verbal processing. ... Aspies For Freedom is an autism rights group both online and offline. ... The National Alliance for Autism Research, based in Princeton, New Jersey, is a non-profit advocacy organization, founded by parents of children with autism concerned about the limited funding available for research. ... Fictional characters described by the authors as being on the autistic spectrum: Raymond Babbitt from the film Rain Man played by Dustin Hoffman Christopher in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time Kazan from Cube Albino from the Technopriests comic books by Alejandro Jodorowsky and Zoran Janjetov...

Further reading

• Schopler, E.; Mesibov, G.; and Kunce, L. (1998) Social Stories and Comic Book Conversations With Students with Asperger Syndrome and High-Functioning Autism (Chapter by Carol A. Gray), New York: Plenum Press. ISBN 0-306-45746-6
• Haddon, Mark (2003) The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time: A Novel, New York: Doubleday. ISBN 0385509456
• Ratey, John J., and Catherine Johnson (1997) Shadow Syndromes: The Mild Forms of Major Mental Disorders That Sabotage Us, New York: Bantam. ISBN 0553379593
• Lawson, Wendy (2001) Understanding and Working With the Spectrum of Autism: An Insider's View, London: Jessica Kingsley. ISBN 1853029718

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time (ISBN 0099450259) is a novel by Mark Haddon. ...

References

• Attwood, Tony (1997) Asperger's Syndrome — A Guide for Parents and Professionals, London: Jessica Kingsley. ISBN 1853025771 This book is considered to be the Bible as far as general AS books go.
• Baron-Cohen, Simon (2003) The Essential Difference: Male and Female Brains and the Truth About Autism, New York: Basic Books. ISBN 046500556X
• Ehlers, Stephan & Christopher Gillberg (1993). "The epidemiology of Asperger's syndrome: a total population study". Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry and Allied Disciplines 34 (8), 1327-1350.
• Kennedy, Diane M., with Rebecca Banks (2002) The ADHD-Autism Connection : A Step Toward More Accurate Diagnoses and Effective Treatments, Colorado Springs: WaterBrook Press. ISBN 1578564980 This book explores the similarities that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) shares with a spectrum of disorders currently known as pervasive developmental disorders.
• Sainsbury, Claire (2000) Martian in the Playground: Understanding the Schoolchild with Asperger's Syndrome, Lucky Duck Publishing. ISBN 1873942087
• "Einstein, Newton, and Asperger Syndrome from Mary Kugler." Accessed July 30, 2005.
• "Einstein and Newton showed signs of autism from the New Scientist." Accessed July 30, 2005.
• "Einstein and Newton 'had autism' from the BBC." Accessed July 30, 2005.
• "A thread on google groups mentioning link between science fiction fandom and Asperger syndrome." Accessed September 23, 2005.
• "Another thread on google groups mentioning link between science fiction fandom and Asperger syndrome." Accessed September 23, 2005.

July 30 is the 211th day (212th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 154 days remaining. ... 2005(MMV) is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... New Scientist cover - 18 December 2004 New Scientist is a weekly international science magazine covering recent developments in science and technology for a general English-speaking audience. ... July 30 is the 211th day (212th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 154 days remaining. ... 2005(MMV) is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... July 30 is the 211th day (212th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 154 days remaining. ... 2005(MMV) is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... September 23 is the 266th day of the year (267th in leap years). ... 2005(MMV) is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... September 23 is the 266th day of the year (267th in leap years). ... 2005(MMV) is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• In the media

• Fresh Air with Terry Gross - 'National Public Radio (NPR) Program on Asperger's (May 5 2004)'
• Part One, Part Two - 'The Infinite Mind Asperger's Syndrome: A Special Report (May 11 & May 18 2005)'

• Organizations

• ASPECT Australia - 'Autism Spectrum Australia, for people on the autism spectrum and their families'
• ASPEN Asperger Syndrome Education Network - 'New Jersey non-profit organization that provides education, support, and advocacy for families and individuals for people with Asperger's syndrome'
• Autism Society of America - 'ASA is dedicated to increasing public awareness about autism and the day-to-day issues faced by individuals with autism, their families and the professionals with whom they interact (one of the oldest and well-known organizations)'
• National Autistic Society, UK - 'The National Autistic Society exists to champion the rights and interests of all people with autism and to ensure that they and their families receive quality services appropriate to their needs'

• Informational

• Online Asperger Syndrome Information and Support - 'Rather large collection of links of pretty much anything to do with Asperger's syndrome'
• Dallas Asperger Network for Information, Support and Help - 'D.A.N.I.S.H. is a support group for families struggling with Asperger Syndrome'
• Autism Research Center - 'Collaboration of scientists at Cambridge University and elsewhere to find new and validated methods for assessment and intervention of autism spectrum conditions'
• Autistics.org - 'Resources by and for those on the autistic spectrum' (Contains images that some may find offensive)

• Humor

• Institute for the Study of the Neurologically Typical - 'Well-known parody of non-autistics by some people from the autism spectrum'

• Schools

• Franklin Academy - 'Connecticut boarding school for students in grades 8-12 geared specifically for students with Asperger's syndrome and non-verbal learning disabilities'
• Hampshire Country School - 'New Hampshire boarding school for middle school students specializing in students with ADHD and Asperger's syndrome that believes in "close interaction between students and faculty living together in a well-preserved rural environment"'

May 5 is the 125th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (126th in leap years). ... May 11 is the 131st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (132nd in leap years). ... May 18 is the 138th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (139th in leap years). ... State nickname: The Garden State Other U.S. States Capital Trenton Largest city Newark Governor Richard Codey (D) Acting Senators Jon Corzine (D) Frank Lautenberg (D) Official languages None defined Area 22,608 km² (47th)  - Land 19,231 km²  - Water 3,378 km² (14. ... State nickname: The Constitution State Other U.S. States Capital Hartford Largest city Bridgeport Governor M. Jodi Rell (R) Senators Chris Dodd (D) Joe Lieberman (D) Official languages English Area 14,371 km² (48th)  - Land 12,559 km²  - Water 1,809 km² (12. ... State nickname: The Granite State Other U.S. States Capital Concord Largest city Manchester Governor John Lynch (D) Senators {{{Senators}}} Official languages English Area 24,239 km² (46th)  - Land 23,249 km²  - Water 814 km² (3. ...

Autism is classified as a neurodevelopmental disorder that manifests itself in markedly abnormal social interaction, communication ability, patterns of interests, and patterns of behavior. ... Childhood disintegrative disorder (CDD) is a rare condition characterized by late onset (>3 years of age) of developmental delays in language, social function, and motor skills. ... // Introduction Retts syndrome (Rett syndrome, Retts disorder) is a progressive neurological disorder, one of the leading disorders of mental retardation in females. ... PDD not otherwise specified or PDD-NOS is a pervasive developmental disorder. ...