What Is So Good What Is So Good About Asperger About Asperger Syndrome?Syndrome?Sheffield Hallam UniversitySheffield Hallam University30th June 200830th June 2008

What is an Impairment?What is an Impairment? We are led to believe that We are led to believe that

individuals with AS are 'impaired' in individuals with AS are 'impaired' in certain areascertain areas

Is this accurate – or is it a 'majority Is this accurate – or is it a 'majority rules' judgement?rules' judgement?

Is the skill set of the PNT really so Is the skill set of the PNT really so wonderful?wonderful?

Could an AS manner of behaving be Could an AS manner of behaving be far more sensible and rewarding?far more sensible and rewarding?

Areas of DifferenceAreas of Difference Social behaviourSocial behaviour Verbal CommunicationVerbal Communication Non verbal communicationNon verbal communication Theory of MindTheory of Mind Executive functioningExecutive functioning Central coherenceCentral coherence Sensory processingSensory processing ObsessionsObsessions

Social BehaviourSocial Behaviour People with AS are not unsociablePeople with AS are not unsociable The PNT make very little logical The PNT make very little logical

sensesense Social niceties could be seen as Social niceties could be seen as

banal, utterly incomprehensible and banal, utterly incomprehensible and a waste of energy – really, what is a waste of energy – really, what is the point and get to the point!the point and get to the point!

People with AS can socialise with People with AS can socialise with one another perfectly wellone another perfectly well

Verbal CommunicationVerbal Communication Literal interpretation is simply Literal interpretation is simply

accuracyaccuracy Being pedantic is being Being pedantic is being

linguistically honestlinguistically honest If we actually said what we mean If we actually said what we mean

(and meant what we said) then (and meant what we said) then life would improve considerablylife would improve considerably

Non Verbal Non Verbal CommunicationCommunication ...leads to misinformation, confusion, ...leads to misinformation, confusion,

and lack of clarity – for all of usand lack of clarity – for all of us Would you prefer everything to be Would you prefer everything to be

clear expressively and receptively – clear expressively and receptively – or prefer doubt, uncertainty, and or prefer doubt, uncertainty, and stress?stress?

The dreaded first date...snog or no The dreaded first date...snog or no snog?snog?

Theory of MindTheory of Mind People with AS do not lack a Theory of People with AS do not lack a Theory of

MindMind Or, the PNT lack a Theory of MindOr, the PNT lack a Theory of Mind It is cross neurological boundaries It is cross neurological boundaries

where the problems arise – not because where the problems arise – not because of any deficit in people with ASof any deficit in people with AS

Is lying really such a great thing?Is lying really such a great thing? Do you like being able to trust?Do you like being able to trust?

Executive FunctioningExecutive Functioning Allows for detailed planningAllows for detailed planning Order over chaosOrder over chaos Knowing what happens when, for Knowing what happens when, for

how long and in what order is how long and in what order is logical and sensiblelogical and sensible

Reduction in wasted timeReduction in wasted time

Central CoherenceCentral Coherence Meticulous attention to areas of Meticulous attention to areas of

interestinterest Detail Detail isis important important Ability to remain focussed Ability to remain focussed Provision of a wonderful balance Provision of a wonderful balance

with the gestalt led PNTwith the gestalt led PNT

Sensory ProcessingSensory Processing

(Almost) unbelievable senses(Almost) unbelievable senses Sheer joy in processingSheer joy in processing Perceptual beauty – not a bad thingPerceptual beauty – not a bad thing

ObsessionsObsessions Intense passionsIntense passions VocationsVocations Having an 'obsession' can be a Having an 'obsession' can be a

wonderful thingwonderful thing

Other AspectsOther Aspects Sense of fairnessSense of fairness Burning desire for justice and Burning desire for justice and

rightnessrightness Sense of humourSense of humour Ability not to lose childlike funAbility not to lose childlike fun

Issues to ConsiderIssues to Consider AS is not inherently problematicAS is not inherently problematic Yet people with AS face many Yet people with AS face many

problems in societyproblems in society People with AS seem to have huge People with AS seem to have huge

pressures to change and adaptpressures to change and adapt Societal adaptation and changes in Societal adaptation and changes in

the PNT is far more sensiblethe PNT is far more sensible

Luke BeardonLuke BeardonSenior Lecturer in AutismSenior Lecturer in Autism

The Autism CentreThe Autism CentreSheffield Hallam UniversitySheffield Hallam University

L.Beardon@shu.ac.ukL.Beardon@shu.ac.uk