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Asperger’s Syndrome
Characteristics, Challenges &
Strengths
Presented by Anne Belanus, M. S.Career Development Specialist
Meridian Technology CenterODCTE Summer Conference 2012
What is Asperger’s Syndrome?
The mildest and highest functioning end of what is known as the spectrum of Pervasive Developmental Disorders or Autism Spectrum Disorders
Commonly referred to as AS Individuals with AS often refer to
themselves as “Aspies.”
Characteristics of Asperger’s Syndrome
DSM IV Criteria
I. Qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least two of the following:
(A) 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
(B) failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level
(C) 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)
(D) lack of social or emotional reciprocity
DSM IV Cont’d
II. Restricted repetitive & stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests and activities, as manifested by at least one of the following:
(A) encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus
(B) apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals
(C) stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g. hand or finger flapping or twisting, or complex whole-body movements)
(D) persistent preoccupation with parts of objects
DSM IV Cont’d
III. The disturbance causes clinically significant impairments in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
IV. There is no clinically significant general delay in language (E.G. single words used by age 2 years, communicative phrases used by age 3 years).
V. There is no clinically significant delay in cognitive development or in the development of age-appropriate self help skills, adaptive behavior (other than in social interaction) and curiosity about the environment in childhood.
VI. Criteria are not met for another specific Pervasive Developmental Disorder or Schizophrenia.”
DSM V Committee
Due out in 2013Wants to eliminate Asperger’s Combines it with autism under
Autism Spectrum DisorderStill taking input before definition
is final
Challenges of Asperger’s Syndrome
Non-Verbal Behaviors
• Problems with eye contact
• Difficulty reading body language
• Limited use of gestures
Non-Verbal Behaviors
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sEye Contact
Eye contact hurts.. no, not in the painful sense but it's quite uncomfortable. I always feel that I'm revealing more than I want to with eye contact and that I'm receiving more information than I want to know.
Gavin Bollard
life-with-aspergers.blogspot.com
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“…the biggest problem is that non-verbal cues that are obvious to everyone else are totally lost on people with Asperger’s. For example, you can tell when you are boring someone, but someone with Asperger’s cannot—we just keep talking.”
Penelope Trunk blog.penelopetrunk.com
Social Relationships
• Extreme difficulty making friends• Difficulty understanding others’
feelings• Want friendships, but don’t know how
to make and keep friends
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Difficulty Making Friends I am Michael.I wonder if I am human?I hear ringing all the time.I see molecules……I think.I want more friends.I am lonely.I pretend I have more friends.I feel left out.I have the record of the least friends in the school .I worry if I have no purpose.I say jokes to be funny.I hope people now understand.I am Michael. Michael Herrmann
blog.autismspeaks.org
Social Relationships
Preoccupied with own agenda
Lack understanding of the rules of social convention
Socially and emotionally inappropriate
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sRules of Social Convention
After wrapping up David’s first week of work, he came upon his supervisor in the parking lot and said, “I’m off the clock now so you can’t boss me around.” The supervisor was initially shocked at David’s impromptu comment, but fortunately, he had a sense of humor. This kind soul didn’t exactly understand it, but he got it, and defused the situation with a good-natured belly laugh.
Glen Finland blog.autismspeaks.org
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sSocially & Emotionally
Inappropriate
“You guys suck. Whenever I run the robot, we win. Whenever you run it, we lose.”
Student with AS to other members of
his First Robotics Team
Use of Language
• Unusual inflection, intonation or volume
• Pedantic speech – “little professor”
• Difficulty understanding idioms• Poor conversational skills• Extensive vocabularies
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“The Little Professor”
When I was twelve, I had the language skill of a college professor and the social skill of a toddler. That was a formula for disaster, and it totally explains all those people who cried out, "How can you be so smart and do such dumb things?"
John Elder RobinsonAuthor, Look Me in the
Eyejerobinson.blogspot.com
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Poor Conversation Skills
Q. How do you plan to use the training you receive at Meridian Technology Center?
R. I plan to use it responsibly.
Q. Do you have any experience related to the program in which you want to enroll?
A. Not that I know of.
Student with AS during a high school
interview
Rigid Behavior
• Preoccupation with a particular subject
• Inflexible• Difficulty coping with change• Often highly sensitive to noise or
crowds• “Nerds”
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sRigid Behavior
1. You can’t have two things on the dinner plate at the same time. Once you are done with the first food, you get a fresh plate.
2. Eating the same thing for a week is delightful.
3. You butter your toast all the way to the edges with an even layer of butter, but only if the toast is freshly out of the toaster. If it gets hard, you have to throw it out.
Eileen Parker“You Know You Have Asperger’s When…” www.eileenparker.com
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Saja, pseudonym“Because If It Fascinates Me, It
Fascinates You, Too, Right?”autism-
fallingintoplace.blogspot.com
Preoccupation With A Particular Subject
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sHighly Sensitive to Noise & Crowds
1. High-pitched noises hurt.
2. When your partner says, “Let’s go out,” you pause, stare at the wall then say, “Why?”
Eileen Parker“You Know You Have Asperger’s
When…”www.eileenparker.com
Gifts of Asperger’s Syndrome
Strengths
• Normal to superior IQ• Single-mindedness• Attention to detail• Amazing memories• Honesty • Gentleness• Naivety
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sSingle-
Mindedness
Brandon at the Skills USA State Contest
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sSo, I have Asperger’s and I’m a happy camper being the logical, cool, calm island who people run to when they are emotionally distressed.
Eileen Parkerwww.eileenparker.com
Gentleness
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sWhat I Will Deliver:
Ability to focus intensely
Team playerPersistenceLack of involvement in “office politics”Honesty
InsightCritical thinkingProblem solvingThorough results
Sean Young, recipient of a prestigious internship opportunity with NASA
blog.autismspeaks.org
Gifts of AS
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sHonesty
Student: What are these students watching?
Instructor: It’s called YouTube.
Student: What is YouTube?
Teacher: It is a place where people post videos they’ve made.
Student: Why would they do that?
Student with AS on the first day of school
while in the Student Center
Value of CareerTech Education
• Chance to focus on their interests
• In class with students with similar interests
• Opportunity to learn work behaviors and social skills in a safe environment
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sBe great at what you do,
and a little odd.
I write obsessively about how important it is to be a star. It is actually more important for people with Asperger’s. This is the only way to stay employable. You will always be difficult to deal with. You need to make it worth everyone’s time.
Penelope Trunk blog.penelopetrunk.com
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sChance to Focus on Their Interests
When I picked Chris up from school today, he was smiling. I hadn’t seen him smile for six months.
Mother of Student with AS at the end of his first day at
Meridian
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Opportunity to Learn Social Skills in A Safe Environment
“Eighty percent of adults with Asperger Syndrome do not have full-time work. This not because they can’t do the work. It’s that they can’t manage to be socially acceptable while they get the work done.”
Penelope Trunk“Stop thinking you'll get by on your
high I.Q. ”www.blog.penelopetrunk.com
Training Opportunity
August 10, 2012 in Tulsa, OklahomaAutism & Asperger's Syndrome ConferenceWith Dr. Temple Grandin, Dr. Jim Ball and Rudy Simone!
