A journey Through Asperger’s Syndrome Ali, Katie, Liza

A Journey Through Asperger’s Syndrome

• Ali, Katie, Liza

What is Asperger’s?

• Asperger’s syndrome (AS) is a developmental disorder. 

• An autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

• Mildest form of Autism

• Dr. Hans Asperger

• 1944
• Boys with similar traits
• Boy studies b/c most cases were found in boys (still today 70-80)%
• May be because girls can overcome symptoms based on socialization

• Neurological disorder

• ASD of a distinct group of neurological conditions
• greater or less than average degree of impairment in language and communication skills,
• repetitive or restrictive patterns of thought and behavior.

Common Traits & 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

Diagnosing the Syndrome

• Two main criteria for diagnosis: DSM IV and Gillberg’s criteria:

• Impairment in social interactions
• Limited all-consuming interests
• Burden regarding routines and interests
• Speech and communication problems
• Non-verbal language difficulties
• Difficulty with motor skills

Possible Treatment

• *The earlier the better!

• Psychosocial interventions

• Social training skills
• Cognitive behavior therapy
• Any activity to help individual learn to adjust to social situations and act appropriately
• Camp, teen tours, group communication

• Psychopharmalogical interventions

• NO CURE!

What Can Cause All this? The debate…

• *NOT BAD PARENTING!

• Genetics (still a lot of research in Progress)

• Family inheritance on father’s side

• Studies of brain

• Right lobe studies using MRI’s
• Research done in 1994 and 1995
• Disability with right hemisphere
• Right front lobe especially deals with “social rules”

• Other Findings

• Birth problems, lack of oxygen
• central nervous system dysfunction

An Interview with Asperger’s

• Autism is: being present in this world, But not entirely of it. I am one step removed and curled, The switch just doesn't click.

• I perform the role of my perception, And play many parts so well. But minus files for my redemption, My part in life I cannot tell.

• Life is like a video, I watch but cannot partake. My uneven skills are but an echo, Of the frustrations which I hate!

• However, my focused use of time and space, I would not give away. I know that I am especially placed, For some developed career one day!

Fact or Myth?

• ALL PEOPLE WITH ASPERGER’S SYNDROME ARE EXACTLY THE SAME?

• False

• ASPERGER’S SYNDROME IS HIGH FUNCTION AUTISM

• True

• ALL PEOPLE WITH ASPERGER’S SYNDROME CAN HAVE MEANINGFUL JOBS AND LIVE INDEPENDENTLY

• False

• IF YOU CAN FIX THE BEHAVIORS OF PEOPLE WITH ASPERGER’S SYNDROME, YOU CAN CURE THE DISORDER

• False

• SOME PEOPLE WITH ASPERGER’S SYNDROME DESIRE FRIENDSHIP

• True

• FROM A CROWD OF PEOPLE I MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO PICK THE PERSON WITH ASPERGER’S OUT

•  

• True!

Asperger’s In History…Surprised?

• Albert Einstein and Isaac Newton

Works Cited

• http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/asperger/asperger.htm

• http://img.nesteklikk.no/2005-14/medium/56555.jpg

• http://img.pathfinder.gr/CMAN/i/61/0/26-5.jpg

• http://www.learningdiscoveries.org/Aspergers.htm

• www.scarfuk.co.uk/ images/image2.gif

• http://mugsy.org/wendy/wendy13.jpg

• http://www.aspergers.com/

• http://info.med.yale.edu/chldstdy/autism/aspergers.html

• http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/asperger/asperger.htm

• http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Troy/1807/criteria.html