Asperger's Syndrome and Autism

754 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: What is asperger's syndrome ESSAY

Despite having years of scientific research on Autism and its related condition Asperger’s Syndrome; forms of Autism Spectrum Disorders still remain somewhat of a mystery disorder. There are many treatments available for individuals suffering from these disorders however; a cure is yet to be found. Early differences in social behavior can be the basis for diagnosis of autism as early as 12 months of age (Berkell 10). Early intensive treatment can prove beneficial and produce a dramatic difference in the lives of children that are typically diagnosed after the age of two. If children are diagnosed early enough it will have a great effect on their lives, their families and society by expanding their involvement in the community, efforts in education and decreasing problematic behaviors. Engaging in and maintaining age appropriate relationships can be a struggle for Asperger’s and autistic individuals due to their poor communication skills. They may know what they want but not know how to express it. Another similar characteristic between the two is their frustration when a change in their routine is made, for example, if they always had an apple in their lunch and suddenly there is no apple in their lunch bag, they can become extremely distressed and act out by throwing temper tantrums. Some recent evidence suggests that, based on parents’ reports, sensory-perceptual abnormalities may be among the first signs of autism Rhone p. 2 (Lord, McGee 94). This symptom is a neurological disorder, making it difficult for the brain to process information from the senses, therefore the individual diagnosed with autism or Asperger’s Syndrome seem to be unaffected by pain. Some can be over or under-sensitive when it comes to touch. Lacking t... ... middle of paper ... ...eatments have a vast effect on the people that possess these disorders and those who are surrounded by it. Early intervention and proper treatment is crucial for improving both severe and mild symptoms therefore, parents need to be attentive to any developmental interruptions that may suggest autism. Typically, if the diagnosis is found at an early age the better their treatment results. The outcome for children with Asperger’s Disorder is generally more promising than for those with autism (Cohen, Harold). Due to their higher level of intellectual functioning, many of these children successfully finish high school and attend college (Cohen, Harold). Successful treatment for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders can prove beneficial in the management of their disability, even though some may still struggle with social circumstances and personal relationships.

Show More
Related

  • Comparing Autism And Schizophrenia

    1228 Words  | 3 Pages

    Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can be detected early in a child’s life. ASD is a developmental disorder classified by problems with social interaction,

    Read More

  • Leo Kanner And Asperger Syndrome

    801 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the 1940’s two doctors in different countries observed children displaying similar behaviors and deficits. One of the doctors was Viennese pediatrician Dr. Hans Asperger and the other was a child psychiatrist named Leo Kanner. Dr. Kanner was the first of the two doctors to report his observations. What he described were behaviors similar to those seen in children with what we call Autistic disorder. The behaviors affected the children’s communication, social interaction and interests. Dr. Asperger later published an article discussing what he dubbed “Autistische Psychpathen im Kindesalter” which translates to “Autistic Psychopathy”. Although some behaviors overlapped, there were differences leading to the belief that these doctors were documenting two different disorders. The two most prevalent were the differences in motor and language abilities (Miller, Ozonoff). Another was Asperger’s belief that his patients were of normal or above average intelligence. It was not until 1994 that Asperger Syndrome was entered into the Diagnostics and Statistics Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition (DSM IV), finally becoming an official diagnosis. At the time, Asperger Syndrome (AS) was labeled as a subcategory of autism along with autistic disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder and pervasive development disorder. Since then, the community of people with Asperger Syndrome has grown to love and better understand the disorder that they live with every day. Some of them have even affectionately named themselves “Aspies”.

    Read More

  • Removing Asperger's Disorder from the DSM V

    1473 Words  | 3 Pages

    In 1944, Asperger’s disorder was first discovered by Hans Asperger who was a child psychologist and pediatrician who described a group of boys between the ages of 6 and 11 as “little professors” because of their interests and use of language (van Duin, Zinkstok, McAlonan & van Amelsvoort, 2014). In the DSM-IV, Asperger’s disorder (AD) refers to individuals who have an average or high IQ, but have difficulty in social interactions, poor communication skills and restricted interests (Wing, Gould & Gillberg, 2010). Another component in the Asperger’s diagnosis in the DSM-IV was that the individual did not meet the full criteria for an Autism diagnosis (Ghaziuddin, 2010). On May 13, 2013 the DSM-V was published, which was followed by extensive controversy surrounding the removal of the Asperger’s diagnosis. Some individuals diagnosed with AD under the DSM-IV prefer that label to being diagnosed as autistic. Additionally, many individuals with AD and their families feared that services would no longer be available to their children. Proponents of removing AD from the DSM-V asserted that there was no reliable difference between AD and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and that combining these disorders would increase reliability and validity.

    Read More

  • The Truths of Autism

    1015 Words  | 3 Pages

    Every year doctors diagnose thousands of adults and children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Due to the growing awareness of autism and recent developments in technology, scientists and doctors can now discover and observe the effects of autism on society, and people. Starting with its discovery, researchers have been able to diagnose people more effectively. Doctors are beginning to discover what causes this disorder, and are currently trying to find ways to prevent and treat it. Many places have opened their doors to people with this disorder, creating autistic friendly environments where people are patient and understanding. Schools have also become accommodating to autistic children and adults. Autism also puts great strain on family and home lives.

    Read More

  • Treatment of Autism in Adolescents

    1279 Words  | 3 Pages

    King, Lorna J. "Sensory Integration Therapy | Autism Research Institute." Sensory Integration Therapy | Autism Research Institute. Autism Research Institute, 9 June 1996. Web. 23 Jan. 2014.

    Read More

  • What is Asperger Syndrome?

    2757 Words  | 6 Pages

    Many people across the world are unfamiliar with disorders associated with autism. Some people do not even know what autism actually is. Asperger’s Syndrome is one perplexing disorder, of countless, that needs to be acknowledged. Although it is one of the more well-known disorders, an understanding of Asperger’s is far from common knowledge. There is an abundance of misconceptions and people unaware of what Asperger Syndrome actually is. Being uncertain about the characteristics of a person with Asperger’s allows people to go through life not understanding the disorder itself and people who have it.

    Read More

  • Autism in Infants

    972 Words  | 2 Pages

    First described and named by Leo Kanner in 1944, the mysterious disability of autism is characterized by a peculiar emotional and intellectual detachment from other people and the common human world. In autistic children, an impaired capacity for communication and human relationships and a severely restricted range of activities and interests become evident before the age of three. Although the symptoms vary in nature and severity, language and the capacity for a normal social life are always seriously affected. Two to four out of 10,000 children are autistic; 75% of them are boys (Chase et al., 1993).

    Read More

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder And Asperger 's Syndrome

    1069 Words  | 3 Pages

    Autism spectrum disorder and Asperger’s syndrome, a higher function branch of autism spectrum disorder, affect many adults in the world. These disorders affect the development of thinking and social skills. Many adults have difficulty leading normal lives due to the effects of autism spectrum disorder and Asperger’s syndrome. They have difficulty in school, at work, and even in the social situations of everyday life. The paper examines how autism spectrum disorder affects adults in fields such as: difficulty with higher education, difficulty with finding and keeping jobs in the labor force, and difficulty with social situations. The paper will be concluded with how society views autism spectrum disorder and what it believes should be done.

    Read More

  • Asperger’s Disorder

    1383 Words  | 3 Pages

    Amazingly, one percent of new births will have some type of autism (Autism Society of America, 2010). Asperger’s disorder is one type of Autism, and is at the high end of these disorders. This “disorder, which is also called Asperger's syndrome (AS) or autistic psychopathy, belongs to a group of childhood disorders known as pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs) or autistic spectrum disorders”(Exkorn, 2006). A characteristic of this disorder is harsh and strict disruption of a certain type of brain development. The most affected areas of Asperger's disorder is difficulty in social understanding and in behavior or activities that are limited or recurring (Frey, 2003). Students with Asperser’s have different levels of seriousness, which makes it difficult to make the proper diagnosis, but each student will have some trouble with “interpersonal, motor, and language characteristics” (Safran, 2002). There is a significant amount of misinformation about this disorder in the public, not just the general public, but also the medical and educational professional. A significant amount of this misinformation claims children with this disorder will never achieve the basic level of competence necessary to function in school. Current literature shows that this is false. This paper accepts the current position that these students can function in an educational and social environment, and will show that further progress can be made. Specifically, this paper will show that a student with Asperger’s will be better able to function in school with early diagnosis, assistance of educators and the support of the family.

    Read More

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder

    1196 Words  | 3 Pages

    As the prevalence of Autism continues to grow rapidly, it is proven fact that Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the United States. “On March 27, 2014, this surveillance study identified one in sixty-eight children (one in forty-two boys and one in one-hundred eighty-nine girls) as having Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).” (DSM-IV, 2000). Eight-hundred thousand people younger than eighteen years are on record as having Autism Spectrum Disorder in the United States. Most children display abnormalities within the first year of life; although most are diagnosed with Autism between the ages of two and three. Boys are nearly five times more likely than girls to have Autism. However, females with the disorder are more feasible to exhibit serious mental retardation. There are “approximately seventy-five percent of children with Autism are mentally handicapped; meaning their IQ ranges from thirty-five to fifty. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV (DSM-IV, 2000) research suggests that only a small percentage of individuals with Autistic Disorder go on as adults to live and work independently.” ( DSM-IV, 2000)

    Read More

  • Autism Disorder

    1828 Words  | 4 Pages

    Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder of the brain that severely impacts socialization, communication, and may even cause obsessive or repetitive behaviors. Autism delays the brain's normal development, and is also correlated with a milder form of the syndrome known as a pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-N OS). Since it was first identified in 1943, there has been increasing rate in new diagnoses each year. Muhle, Trenracoste, and Rapin (2004) found that the rate of diagnosis for Autism has risen 556% between the years of 1991 and 1997. Many feel that this increase is due to a shifting of diagnostic criteria, or newer defining characteristics of the syndrome. The expansion of the diagnostic criteria also indirectly relates to the increase of services provided for Autistic children, therefore increasing the shift. Because of this increase of diagnoses, more awareness has been brought to pediatricians, further increasing the rate in which Autism is diagnosed ("Autism," 2010). Glasson et al. (2004) found that the frequency in which the disorder is diagnosed has risen to almost 60 per 10000 people. Another factor in the increase of the diagnosis of Autism is that children are being diagnosed at a much earlier age. Parents are identifying problematic behaviors earlier in a child's life, sometimes as early as 8 months of age (Bristol-Power & Spinella 1999).

    Read More

  • The Etiology of Autism

    1301 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the United States, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that between 1 in 80 and 1 in 240, for an average of 1 in 110 children have an autism spectrum disorder, “ASD” (Nirv, Shah 2011). According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, up to six out of every 1,000 children may be diagnosed with some form of autism. In addition, boys are four times more likely than girls to have autism. This means that as many as 1.5 million Americans today are believed to have some form of autism. Unfortunately, the numbers appear to be increasing rapidly. Autism is a disability that frequently appears during the first three years of life. It is the result of a neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain and impacts the normal development of the brain in the areas of social interaction and communication skills (Bee & Boyd, 2009). It is the most prevalent developmental disorder to date. Autism is one of five disorders coming under the umbrella of Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD), a category of neurological disorders characterized by "severe and pervasive impairment in several areas of development," including social interaction and communications skills (Zager, 2006). The etiology of autism is a topic of controversial debate, while researchers strive to achieve a common objective. The goal is to identify the cause of autism to understand the complex interplay between environment and gene regulation (NCBI, 2009). Although individuals with autism have existed for many centuries it was not recognized and labeled until mid 20th century. Therefore, early detection, intervention and an individual educational plan are essentials for the progress of ASD.

    Read More

  • Asperger's Syndrome Research Paper

    686 Words  | 2 Pages

    “Asperger’s syndrome (AS), a high functioning form of autism, is growing in prevalence, having risen tenfold over the past decade” (Robinson Pg.2310-2321). AS is a lifelong brain development disorder that leads to problems with social skills, behavior, and coordination (“Asperger's Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms, and Diagnosis”). Asperger’s syndrome usually becomes obvious during childhood and remains throughout life, with varying degrees of disability. Although AS cannot be cured, early diagnosis and intervention can help a child make social connections, achieve their potential, and lead a productive life.

    Read More

  • ABA Therapy and Autism

    1267 Words  | 3 Pages

    Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that effects the brains development. It is characterized by affecting communication, cognition and social interaction. The spectrum of the disorders ranges from a mild condition called Asperger’s syndrome to a more severe form, which severely impairer’s development. The Office of Communications and Public Liaison states that the disorder affects one and eighty-eight children, however ASD effects boys more frequently than girls (Office of Communications and Public Liaison, 2013). ASD emerges in all age, ethnic and socioeconomic groups. The significant varied character and severity of the disorder is why ASD is considered a spectrum that poses a broad range of symptoms.

    Read More

  • Asperger's Syndrome Research Paper

    650 Words  | 2 Pages

    The purpose of this essay is to briefly inform the class of Asperger Syndrome (ASD), an autism spectrum disorder. What will be covered in this essay are a few symptoms or characteristics of this disorder, what is known about the cause, as well as some available treatment methods. It was first described by the Austrian pediatrician, Hans Asperger in the 1940's. The disorder then became standardized through American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) in the early 1990's. What really sets Asperger's syndrome apart from typical autism are it's symptoms and characteristics. It is important to understand this disorder so that the correct approach can be taken if ever encountered by an individual with Asperger syndrome. I expect further research in this field to bring about enhanced and more effective measures of dealing with the syndrome.

    Read More

More about Asperger's Syndrome and Autism

Open Document