1. ASPERGER’S
SYNDROME
Chelcie Tuell

2. Emily Dickinson
Abraham Lincoln
John Denver
Thomas Edison
Al Gore
Bill Gates
Isaac Newton
Albert Einstein
Andy Warhol
James Taylor
Marilyn Monroe
Robin Williams

3. WHAT IS ASPERGER'S SYNDROME?
 Asperger’s is a neurological developmental disorder.
 impairments in social relationships, verbal and nonverbal
communication, and by restrictive, repetitive patterns of
behaviors, interests, and activities.
 Classified as an autism spectrum disorder (ASD.)
 “high-functioning” and milder end of spectrum

4. ASPERGER’S SYNDROME EVOLUTION
 Identified in 1944 by Hans Asperger. (Austria )
 Boys with autistic-like behaviors and difficulties with social and
communication skills but had normal intelligence and language
development
 Brought to the attention of the English -speaking world in
1981 by Dr. Lorna Wing.
 Was not added to the Diagnostic and Statistics Manual of
the American Psychiatric Association until 1994 .
 In 2013, the DSM-5 replaced Asperger's syndrome with
the umbrella diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder.

5. COMMON TRAITS AND CHARACTERISTICS
 socially awkward and clumsy
 naive and gullible
 unaware of others' feelings
 unable to carry on conversation
 easily upset by changes
 literal in speech and
understanding
 sensitive to loud sounds, lights,
odors
 fixated on one subject or object
 physically awkward in sports
 very accurate memory for details
 trouble understanding things
they have heard or read
 inappropriate body language &
expression
 repetitive and irrelevant
comments
 unusually loud, high or
monotonous voice
 rock, fidget or pace while
concentrating

7. ASPERGER’S STATISTICS
 United States and Canada estimates range from 1/250
children to 1/10,000.
 Asperger’s is 4x more likely to occur in males than in females
 Usually is first diagnosed in children between 2-6 years old.

8. TREATMENT OPTIONS
 Communication and
social skills training
 Cognitive behavioral
therapy
 Medications: none to
specifically treat but
may improve specific
symptoms
 Aripiprazole (Abilify)
 Guanfacine (Intuniv).
 Selective serotonin
reuptake inhibitors
(SSRIs).
 Risperidone (Risperdal)
 Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
 Naltrexone (Revia)

9. STUDENTS
WITH
ASPERGER’S

10. IDEAS FOR INSTRUCTION
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Be careful in classroom seating assignments
Use the “peer buddy” system
Avoid self-selection in group work
Carefully consider the maturity of the group members
involved
Provide “safe haven” or quiet area
Explain metaphors and sarcasm; Use concrete examples
Use “social stories” for providing directions
Vigorously but respectfully maintain class rules and other
boundaries

11. HELPFUL HINTS FOR TEACHERS
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Operate on “Asperger Time”
Manage the environment
Create a balanced agenda
Share the agenda
Simply language
Manage change of plans
Provide reassurance
Be generous with praise

12. HTTP:// WWW.GOOGLE.COM /IM GHP
HTTP:// WWW.AUTISM SPEAKS.ORG /WHATAUTISM/ ASPERGER -SYNDROM E
HTTP:// WWW.AUTISM -SOCIET Y.ORG/ABOUTAUTISM/ ASPERGERS -SYNDROM E/
HTTP:// WWW.MAYOCLINIC.COM /HEALTH/ ASPE RGERS SYNDROM E/ DS00551
HTTP:// WWW.M AYOCLINIC.COM /HEALTH/ ASPE RGERS SYNDROM E/DS00551/DSECTION= SYM PTOM S
HTTP:// WWW.MAYOCLINIC.COM /HEALTH/ ASPE RGERS SYNDROM E/DS00551/DSECTION= CAUSES
HTTP:// WWW.M AYOCLINIC.COM /HEALTH/ ASPE RGERS SYNDROM E/DS00551/DSECTION=TEST S - AND -DIAGNOSIS
HTTP:// WWW.M AYOCLINIC.COM /HEALTH/ ASPE RGERS SYNDROM E/DS00551/DSECTION=TREATM ENT S - ANDDRUGS
HTTP:// WWW.RESEARCHAUTISM .ORG /EDUCATORS/ ASPER
GERSTEPS/INDE X.ASP
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