Asperger's for intro to ED

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Aspergers Syndrome
By
Mike Kirwan

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What is Asperger’s
 Definition: It is a developmental disorder that affects a
person’s ability to socialize and communicate with others
effectively.
 Named after Hans Asperger, an Austrian physician who first
diagnosed condition in 1944. 1
 Hans observed boys that had above average intelligence, but had
difficulties with language and social situations. He termed it as
high-functioning autism

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Characteristics:
 Kids typically show signs of social awkwardness.
 Speech may sound peculiar and seem clumsy
 People who suffer from it may be very involved or absorbed
in the few things that do interest them. So involved in these
things that they leave no room for age appropriate common
interests of people their age.

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Additional Characteristics
 Seem to lack empathy towards others
 Live in own little world
 Do not understand irony and humor
 Unusual speech pattern sometimes loud and high pitched

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A Form of Autism
 It is considered as one of the autistic spectrum disorders all
relating to problems with social skills and communication.2
 It is considered one of the milder forms of Autism.

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How to Diagnose
 Should be taken to doctor for diagnosis
 They will first check for physical symptoms such as low
muscle tone and coordination problems
 Referred to a specialist who is trained to diagnose
Asperger’s such as pediatric neurologist or psychiatrist

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What help is available?
 There is no cure for
Asperger’s, but there are
treatments
 Treatments include
education for kids to help
them interact more
successfully with others.
 No medications are given
for Asperger’s

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Treatments
 Special Education-tailored to child's needs
 Behavior Modification-supporting positive and decreasing
negative
 Speech, Physical, or occupational Therapy-can help increase
child’s function
 Social Skills Therapy- help provided through sessions to
increase their social skill and help them read cues from
others that they may lack3

9. Reasonable Expectations
 Most function well because of higher than normal intelligence
At Risk for Future Conditions:4
 Depression
ADHD
Schizophrenia
Obsessive –compulsive Disorder

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Can Asperger’s Be Prevented?
 No, it cant be prevented, but early diagnosis can improve
quality of life and improve function dramatically

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An Insight to Asperger’s
(video clip)5

12. Works Cited
1. http://www.webmd.com/brain/autis
m/mental-health-aspergers-
syndrome?page=2
2. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/as
pergers-syndrome/DS00551
3. http://www.aspergers.com/aspclin.ht
ml
4. http://www.autism-society.org/about-
autism/aspergers-syndrome/
5. http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=7MCIiPumEQg