The document discusses Asperger's Syndrome, which is defined as a developmental disability characterized by impairments in social skills and restrictive, repetitive behaviors. It was identified in 1944 and added to the DSM in 1994. Causes may include genetics and environmental factors affecting brain development. Prevalence has increased from 4-6 per 10,000 prior to 1980 to 60-70 per 10,000 today. Common characteristics include sensory sensitivities, impaired pragmatic language skills, lack of emotional connection, narrow interests, motor clumsiness, need for predictability, and rigid thinking. The document provides strategies for parenting and educating individuals with Asperger's.
2. "People with autism spend more time
doing things they are not good at than
anyone else."
Toni Atwood
3. Definition
Asperger’s Syndrome (AS) is a developmental
disability that is defined by impairments in social
relationships, verbal and nonverbal communication,
and by restrictive, repetitive patterns of behaviors,
interests, and activities.
4. Background
Identified in 1944 by Hans Asperger.
(Austria)
Brought to the attention of the
English-speaking world in 1980 by Dr.
Lorna Wing.
Was not added to the Diagnostic and
Statistics Manual of the American
Psychiatric Association until 1994.
“Autism’s Shadow”
5. Causes
There seems to be a hereditary component
Environmental factors that affect brain
development might play a role
Not caused by:
Emotional deprivation
Bad parenting
6. Incidence Rates
48 out every 10,000 children
(Kadesjo, Gillberg, & Nagberg, 1999)
7. Increasing Prevalence
Autism, strictly defined
– 4-6 in 10,000 prior to 1980’s (Lotter 1967)
– 16-20 in 10,000 today (Chakrabarti & Fombonne 2001)
Autism spectrum disorders
– 10 in 10,000 in 1990’s (Bryson et al 1988)
– 60-70 in 10,000 today (Chakrabarti & Fombonne 2001)
8. Famous Aspies...
• Albert Einstein
• Henry Ford
• Thomas Edison
• Thomas Jefferson
• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
• Isaac Newton
• Henry Thoreau
• Mark Twain
• Vincent Van Gogh
• John Denver
• Alfred Hitchcock
• Howard Hughes
9. Andy Warhol
Woody Allen
Bill Gates
Al Gore
John Nash
Keanu Reeves
Alex P. Keaton
Cliff Clavin from Cheers
Lisa Simpson and Moe from Mo's tavern
Mr Bean
Steve Urkel
Calvin of Calvin and Hobbes
Frankenstein's Monster
Ludwig van Beethoven
Andy Warhol
Woody Allen
Bill Gates
Al Gore
John Nash
Keanu Reeves
Alex P. Keaton
Cliff Clavin from Cheers
Lisa Simpson and Moe from Mo's tavern
Mr Bean
Steve Urkel
Calvin of Calvin and Hobbes
Frankenstein's Monster
Ludwig van Beethoven
Andy Warhol
Woody Allen
Bill Gates
Al Gore
John Nash
Keanu Reeves
Alex P. Keaton
Cliff Clavin from Cheers
Lisa Simpson and Moe from Mo's tavern
Mr Bean
Steve Urkel
Calvin of Calvin and Hobbes
Frankenstein's Monster
Ludwig van Beethoven
Andy Warhol
Woody Allen
Bill Gates
Al Gore
John Nash
Keanu Reeves
Alex P. Keaton
Cliff Clavin from Cheers
Lisa Simpson and Moe from Mo's tavern
Mr Bean
Steve Urkel
Calvin of Calvin and Hobbes
Frankenstein's Monster
Ludwig van Beethoven
10. Think S P E N C E R
S Sensory Sensitivities
P Pragmatic Language Skills Impaired
E Emotional Connection
N Narrow Interest Range
C Clumsiness with Motor Skills
E Environment that is Predictable
R Rigidity of Thought
11.
12. S Sensory Sensitivities
Don't excuse it or make the child feel bad about feeling
bad
Intense or under reactive to a sensation
Clothing
Slight bump by another
Florescent lights
Hug = squeeze
13. P Pragmatic Skills Impaired
They see language as a way to share information
They want to receive information correctly, sussincly and
without emotion.
May use diologue from pop culture to communicate
They have a profound interest in words.
Challenge him to memorize
Provide music, theater and nonfiction books
14. E Emotional Connection
Impaired
He was not born with the “sixth” sense.
Since you cannot teach him to emote, appeal to other
senses.
Conversation turn-taking
Perspective taking
They can be overly dependent on care-giver
Point out how he slips up
Explain what others are doing socially
16. N Narrow Interest Range
Few interests but they dominate
Special interest
Encourage reading
Use his special interest to teach social skills
An enriched environment will encourage broadening of
the interest range
Protect him. Be aware of the special dangers of early
sexuality.
17. C Clumsy Motor Skills
Let the schedule work for you
Encourage trying new things
18. E Environment Predictability
Importance of structure and routine
Talk about changes way before they happen so he can
plan.
If you have to be spontaneous, communicate to him the
reasons so he can have some control.
19. R Rigidity of Thought
Mindblindedness – inability to determine what
others are thinking.
They tend to take things literally.
Need for time alone to reconstruct social
interactions.
20. Instructional Ideas
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 metaphor and sarcasm use concretely
Use “social stories” for providing directions
Vigorously but respectfully maintain class rules and
other boundaries
21.
22.
23. Other treatments
Parent education and training
Social skills training
Language therapy
Sensory integration training for younger children,
usually performed by an occupational therapist, in
which a child is desensitized to stimuli to which he is
overly sensitive
Psychotherapy or behavioral/cognitive therapy for
older children
26. Resources continued
Sohn, A. (1998). Parenting Your Asperger Child: Individualized Solutions
for Teaching Your Child Practical Skills. Philadelphia, PA: Jessica
Kingsley Publishers, Ltd.
27. Resources continued
Attwood, T. (1998). Asperger’s Syndrome:A guide for parents and
professionals. Philadelphia, PA: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, Ltd.