Asperger’s Syndrome

Sarah Katie H.Melissa

Meet Nomi

http://www.boston.com/yourlife/health/diseases/articles/2007/01/08/nomi_slideshow/

Etiology

Genetic Contribution

Multiple Factors

Hereditary Linkage

Stronger genetic component than Autism

Characteristics

Significant difficulties in social interactions

Restricted and repetitive behavior

Relative preservation of cognitive and linguistic development

Clumsiness and atypical use of language

Scripted, robotic speech

Average or above average intelligence

Incidence & Prevalence

According to the Asperger’s Syndrome Coalition of the United States:

Many kids are diagnosed after 3, with most diagnosed between the ages of 5 and 9.

AS may occur at a rate of 3.6 to 7.1 per 1000 children ages 7- 16 years

AS is 5 times more common in children than autism

Male to female ratio is 2-3:1

Related Services

Early Intervention ( birth – 3)

IEP (offered in school from 3-21)

College (Office of Disability Services)

Work (MA Department of Health and Human Services)

Educational Considerations

Individualized training on reading facial expressions and emotional reactions

Work on organization of notes and ideas for class

Preview routines and changes in schedules

Teachers should plan lessons in clear patterns that are easy to follow

Impact of Disability on Language & Social Development

Difficulty with perceiving social environmental cues and rules

Exhibits limited knowledge of the concept of friendship

Definite preferences for clothing due to comfort level

Difficulty with understanding and expressing varied emotional states

Limited awareness and inappropriate display of emotions

Behavioral Issues

Shows a desire to interact with others but does so in a socially unconventional way

Misinterprets social cues

Mindblindness to feelings and boundaries of others

Preoccupations with specific interests

Obsessive-compulsive tendencies

Repetitive body movements

Speaks in a tone that is monotonous and lacks inflection and rhythm

Cognitively, child demonstrated average- above average intelligence

Common Medical Treatment

Combination of therapies (PT, OT, SLP)

Social Skills Training/ Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Psychotherapy

Medicine Prescriptions

To help alleviate hyperactivity or impulsivity Psychostimulants and Antidepressants

To help alleviate aggressiveness Mood stabilizers, Beta Blockers, Neuroleptics

To help alleviate anxiety SSRIs and Antidepressents

To help alleviate preoccupations and compulsions SSRIs

Adaptations (Assistive Technology)

Contrast Aids: highlighter tape, colored overlays and paper, bolded font.

Organizational Aids: schedules, check lists, picture cues

Positioning Aids: alternative keyboards

Computer Software Aids:

Helps to organize ideas prior to writing

Enables child to express him/herself

http://superherosquad.marvel.com/cyoc

Impact of Language Development on Academic

& Social Skills Academic Skills:

Average or above average intelligence

No delay in linguistic development

Large vocabulary and formal speech (for areas of particular interest)

Little attention span

Difficulty with math and writing is different for each child

Social Skills:

Literalism

Social Scripts

Egocentric state of mind

Impact of Disability on Auditory Skills

Asperger’s Syndrome may affect a child’s auditory system:

Not effectively interpret information Literally and concretely

Hypersensitive to noise

Failing to respond when their name is called

Comprehends but needs extra time to process information

Difficulty following multi-step directions

Communication and Social Interaction Alternatives for Nonspeaking Individuals

This does not apply to this population

Average to below- average nonverbal cognitive abilities, though verbal cognitive abilities are usually average to above average

 Children with AS:

Might show no delays in language development

Have good grammatical skills and an advanced vocabulary at an early age

Typically exhibit a language disorder (literal)

Resources

An Autism Spectrum Disorder. (2011). KidsHealth. Retrieved from http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/brain/asperger.html#

Asperger’s Syndrome. (2011). Autism Society. Retrieved from http://www.autism-society.org/about-autism/aspergers-syndrome/

Asperger Syndrome Fact Sheet. (2011). National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Retrieved from http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/asperger/detail_asperger.htm#179683080

Asperger Syndrome. (2011). Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asperger_syndrome

Asperger’s Syndrome in Children and Teens. Your Little Professor. Retrieved from: http://www.yourlittleprofessor.com/schools.html  

Resources (continued)

Aspergers Children and Sensory Issues. (2011). My Aspergers Child. Retrieved from: http://www.myaspergerschild.com/2011/04/aspergers-children-and-sensory-issues.html

Stokes, Susan. Children with Asperger’s Syndrome: Characteristics/Learning Styles and Intervention Strategies. Retrieved from: http://www.specialed.us/autism/asper/asper11.html

Rosen- Bloch, Sally. (1999). Asperger’s Syndrome, High Functioning Austim, and Disorders of the Autistic Continuum. Retrieved from: http://www.aspergersyndrome.com/html/research_paper.html

Treatment for Asperger’s Disorder. (2007) . PsychCentral. Retrieved from http://psychcentral.com/lib/2007/treatment-for-aspergers-disorder/

What Are the Autism Spectrum Disorders? (2009). National Institute of Mental Health. Retrieved from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/autism/what-are-the-autism-spectrum-disorders.shtml

Weinstein, Anna. (2011). Asperger’s in the Classroom. Retrieved from: http://www.education.com/magazine/article/Aspergers_the_Classroom/