Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
troubling, not only because their problems are severe but also because the causes of and
treatments for autism are hotly disputed. (Invitation to the Lifespan, 2014).
There were distinct subtypes of autism spectrum disorder, including pervasive
developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PPD-NOS), autistic disorder and
Aspergers syndrome. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, DSMIV (2000) also included two rare but severe autistic-like conditions: Rhett syndrome and
childhood disintegrative disorder. With the 2013 DSM-V diagnostic manual, a notable
change was dropping Aspergers syndrome as a distinct classification and all autism
disorders were merged into one umbrella diagnosis of ASD. The DSM-V noted that
individuals with a well-established DSM-IV diagnosis of Aspergers disorder . . .
should be given the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (2013).
Asperger syndrome is a developmental disorder under autism spectrum disorder
and differs from other disorders by relatively normal language and intelligence.
International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems states
that Aspergers differs from autism primarily in the fact that there is no general delay or
retardation in language or in cognitive development (2015). This disorder is often
trademarked by clumsiness and uncoordinated motor movements, social impairment with
extreme egocentricity, limited interests and unusual reoccupations, repetitive routines or
rituals, speech and language peculiarities, and non-verbal communication problems
(Morris, B. K.). In 2013, Asperger's was estimated to affect 31 million people globally
(Global Burden of Disease Study 2013, 2015).
"Aspies" as many individuals with this disorder like to call themselves, generally
have few facial expressions apart from anger or misery (Bailey, E. 2012), not just
children and teenagers have difficulty with anger management; even as adults, Aspies
might need to learn appropriate behavior from family and peers. Most have excellent rote
memory and musical ability, and become intensely interested in one or two subjects,
sometimes to the exclusion and expense of other topics. They may talk at length about a
favorite subject or repeat a word or phrase several times. People with Aspergers
syndrome tend to be enveloped "in their own world" and preoccupied with their own
personal agenda.
isolation. Asperger called his young patients "little professors", and believed the
individuals he described would be capable of exceptional achievement and original
thought later in life (Asperger. & Frith, 1944,1991).
Austrian-born child psychiatrist Leo Kanner (18941981), immigrated to the
United States in 1924. Kanner (1943) described a similar syndrome known as "classic
autism" or "Kannerian autism" in his compilation known as Autistic Disturbances of
Affective Contact. Kanner was influenced by the developmental approach of Arnold
Gesell (Amaral et al, 2011), while Asperger was influenced by accounts of schizophrenia
and personality disorders (Ehlers & Gillberg, 1993). Asperger was unaware of Kanner's
description published a year before his; (Klin, A. 2006) the two researchers were
separated by an ocean as well as World War II, and Asperger's descriptions were ignored
in the United States. During his lifetime, Asperger's work remained largely unknown
outside the German-speaking world and was not translated into English until the 1970s.
An English psychiatrist, Lorna Wing popularized the term "Asperger's Syndrome"
in a 1981 publication (Amaral et al, 2011; Mattila et al, 2007); and the condition was
subsequently recognized in formal diagnostic manuals such as DSM-IV and International
Classification of Diseases, 10th edition, later in the 1990s (Baron & Klin, 2006).
conversation. This is one of the reasons that people with Aspergers syndrome may be
considered socially awkward.
People with AS have extreme and sustained difficulty with social interactions.
While having a conversation they typically do not make eye contact. It is difficult for
them to predict an individuals verbal and non-verbal cues amidst a conversation. This
may easily involve facial expressions, the tone in someone elses voice, or body
language. People with Aspergers may also speak in a monotone voice and display few
facial expressions. Furthermore, they may struggle to know when to lower the volume of
their voices to accommodate their location and the people around them. This is extremely
prevalent for children.
Children with Aspergers may also have difficulty with fundamental gross motor
skills, such as running or walking. These children may lack coordination and be unable to
do certain tasks, such as climbing or riding a bike. Children with AS are often described
as bouncy and awkward. They often display hypotonia, a generalized muscular weakness
that affects posture, movement, strength, and coordination, which may appear as a
bouncy walk. The development of fine and gross motor skills come in milestones from
childhood all the way to adulthood.
No official test can determine if someone has Aspergers Syndrome. As such, the
symptoms are exceptionally important to look for if one is questioning their childs or
another individuals behavior. Many parents may report their childs behavior to their
primary care provider and then can determine whether their child may have AS or not.
Causes of Aspergers Syndrome
Aspergers syndrome is commonly known as a pervasive developmental disorder
(PDD) on the autism spectrum. As such, this disorder is brought on by slight changes or
mutations in the neonatal brain. Once the onset of symptoms occurs, the effects last a
lifetime. Specialists have not been able to pinpoint what exactly causes these chemical
imbalances. The differentiation of genes plays an important role in what causes ASD.
Furthermore, it has been found that all autism spectrum disorders have a distinct
correlation with the unique combination of both genetic and environmental factors.
According to Phillip J. Landrigan, one of the worlds leading activists for
childrens health, gene mutations, gene deletions, copy number variants (CNVs) and
other genetic anomalies are all persuasively linked to autism (Current Opinion in
Pediatrics, 219). These transmutations cause the developing brain to have a genetic
vulnerability to environmental hazards or exposures. Unfortunately, these toxic chemicals
cause the greatest harm in the first trimester during the embryonic and fetal periods with
a greater viability of trauma as a baby develops in utero. As time progresses, these two
factors determine specific symptoms of ASD, the severity of those symptoms, and the
potential susceptibility to autism (What causes autism spectrum disorder?). The
complexity of this disorder and its effects will ensure every person with autism is unique.
An abundance of toxic chemicals are detected in the world around us, which can
permanently affect prenatal growth. Among them: air, soil, water, and food are the most
notable sources. A burgeoning list of these hazards is to blame for the direct causation of
neurodevelopmental disabilities and their involvement is absolutely detrimental to its
victims. Landrigan lists lead, methylmercury, polychlorinated biphenyls, arsenic,
manganese, organophosphate insecticides, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane pesticide
(DDT), and ethyl alcohol as human developmental neurotoxicants and the most common
perpetrators for autism spectrum disorders (Current Opinion in Pediatrics, 221).
Unfortunately, this short list is only the tip of the proverbial iceberg. In our modern
society, the most vulnerable are exposed to thousands of synthetic chemicals. As the
typically put in place after the scores on the adaptive behavior scale have been studied.
Organizational skills are typically used during the early years of school. Writing skills,
and reading comprehension are used in later grades. Children and adolescents with
Aspergers typically do better when they are provided with a structured, and organized
environment. Organizational strategies must be supported in all settings, home and
school.
Children and adolescents with Aspergers who have symptoms of anxiety, and are
not controlled with counseling, behavioral, or environmental interventions may benefit
from treatment with an SSRI, or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor. The SSRIs are a
class of drugs that are safe and non addictive, and are used as antidepressants that
typically take up to two to four weeks to build up their effect and work fully.
If symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and disorganization do not improve
with behavioral interventions, an individual may respond to a stimulant medication.
Antidepressant therapy may also me implemented if depressive symptoms persist through
counseling, the same medications that are used to treat children with depression without
Aspergers can also be used on children with Aspergers.
With treatment, many children and their families can learn to successfully cope
with problems pertaining to Aspergers Syndrome. Many adults with Aspergers are able
to triumphantly work in mainstream jobs and are extremely capable of leading an
independent life, especially if they have strong support by the people around them.
References
Amaral, D., Dawson, G., & Geschwind, D. H. (2011). Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Chapter 3: p.47. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Asperger, H. [1944]; & Frith, U. (1991). Autistic psychopathy' in childhood, in Frith U:
Autism and Asperger syndrome. Cambridge University Press, 3792. ISBN
052138608X.
Asperger Syndrome. (n.d.). Retrieved March 26, 2016, from
http://www.healthline.com/health/asperger-syndrome#Overview1
Asperger's Syndrome: Diagnosis, treatment, and outcome. Szatmari, Peter.
Psychiatric Clinics of North America, Vol 14(1), Mar 1991, 81-93.
Asperger's Syndrome. Volkmar, Fred R. et al. Journal of the American Academy of Child
& Adolescent Psychiatry, Volume 35, Issue 1, 118-123.
Bailey, E. (2012, February 27). Tips for Anger Management in Teens with Asperger's
Syndrome. Retrieved March, 2016, from
http://www.healthcentral.com/autism/c/1443/150707/management-syndrome/
Baron-Cohen, S., Klin, A. (2006). What's so special about Asperger Syndrome?. Brain
and Cognition 61 (1): 14. doi:10.1016/j.bandc.2006.02.002. PMID 16563588.
Baskin, J.H., Sperber, M. Price. BH (2006). Asperger Syndrome Revisited. Rev Neurol
Dis 3 (1): 17. PMID 16596080.
Chapter V Mental and Behavioural Disorders (F00-F99). ICD-10 Version: 2015. (n.d.).
Retrieved March, 2016, from
http://apps.who.int/classifications/icd10/browse/2015/en#/F84.5
Ehlers, S., & Gillberg, C. The Epidemiology of Asperger Syndrome:
A Total Population Study. Retrieved March, 2016, from
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8294522 34 (8):1327-50. (1993).
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
What causes autism spectrum disorder (ASD)? Retrieved March 26, 2016, from
https://m.nichd.nih.gov/topics/autism/conditioninfo/Pages/causes.aspx.
Global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability for
301 acute and chronic diseases and injuries in 188 countries, 19902013: a
systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013. Vos, Theo et al.
The Lancet, Volume 386, Issue 9995, 743 800.
International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th
Revision (ICD-10)-2015-WHO Version for 2015.
Kanner, L. (1943). Autistic Disturbances of Affective Contact. Nerv Child 2: (p. 217250). from http://neurodiversity.com/library_kanner_1943.pdf
Klin, A. (2006). "Autism and Asperger Syndrome: An Overview". 28 (Suppl 1): S3S11.
PMID 16791390.
Landrigan, P. J. (2010). Current Opinion in Pediatrics - What Causes Autism? Exploring
the Environmental Contribution. 22:219225.
Mattila ML, Kielinen M, Jussila K, et al (2007). "An epidemiological and diagnostic
study of Asperger Syndrome according to four sets of diagnostic criteria". Journal
of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 46 (5): 63646.
doi:10.1097/chi.0b013e318033ff42. PMID 17450055.
Morris, B. K. (n.d.). Anger & Autism Spectrum Disorders. Retrieved March, 2016, from
http://www.autism-help.org/adults-aspergers-anger.htm
My Aspergers Child: Aspergers Children and Motor Skills Development. (n.d.).
Retrieved March 26, 2016, from