What is Asperger syndrome?

As soon as we meet a person we make • social interaction People with Asperger syndrome sometimes find • not understand the unwritten ‘social rules’ that which can be pursued rigidly and repetitively eg Special interests judgements about them. From their facial • social imagination. it difficult to express themselves emotionally and most of us pick up without thinking. For example, lining up toys or collecting and organising things expression, tone of voice and body language They are often referred to as ‘the triad of socially. For example, they may: they may stand too close to another person, or related to his or her interest. “I remember Samuel reciting the we can usually tell whether they are happy, impairments’ and are explained in more detail below. • have difficulty understanding gestures, facial start an inappropriate topic of conversation Some children with Asperger syndrome may find distances of all the planets from the sun angry or sad and respond accordingly. to a baffled classmate in the playground While there are similarities with autism, people expressions or tone of voice • find other people unpredictable and confusing it difficult to play ‘let’s pretend’ games or prefer People with Asperger syndrome can find it when he was five. Since then he has had with Asperger syndrome have fewer problems • have difficulty knowing when to start or end a • become withdrawn and seem uninterested in other subjects rooted in logic and systems, such as harder to read the signals that most of us many obsessions, which he loves to talk with speaking and are often of average, or above conversation and choosing topics to talk about people, appearing almost aloof mathematics. take for granted. This means they find it more • use complex words and phrases but may not fully about at length!” average, intelligence. They do not usually have • behave in what may seem an inappropriate difficult to communicate and interact with understand what they mean Other related characteristics the accompanying learning disabilities associated manner. others which can lead to high levels of anxiety • be very literal in what they say and can have with autism, but they may have specific learning Love of routines People with Asperger syndrome may develop an and confusion. difficulty understanding jokes, metaphor and difficulties. These may include dyslexia and dyspraxia Difficulty with social imagination intense, sometimes obsessive, interest in a hobby sarcasm. For example, a person with Asperger This leaflet explains what Asperger syndrome is. or other conditions such as attention deficit “If I get anxious I get in a tizz. I have a or collecting. Sometimes these interests are lifelong; syndrome may be confused by the phrase “We have trouble working out what other hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and epilepsy. timetable; it helps me to see what I have in other cases, one interest is replaced by an ‘That’s cool’ when people use it to say something people know. We have more difficulty What is Asperger syndrome? With the right support and encouragement, to do next, otherwise I get confused.” unconnected interest. For example, a person with is good. guessing what other people are thinking.” Asperger syndrome is a form of autism, people with Asperger syndrome can lead full and Asperger syndrome may focus on learning all there which is a lifelong disability that affects how a independent lives. In order to help a person with Asperger syndrome is to know about trains or computers. Some are person makes sense of the world, processes understand you, keep your sentences short – be clear To try and make the world less confusing, people exceptionally knowledgeable in their chosen field People with Asperger syndrome can be imaginative in information and relates to other people. What are the characteristics of and concise. with Asperger syndrome may have rules and rituals of interest. With encouragement, interests and the conventional use of the word. For example, many Autism is often described as a ‘spectrum Difficulty with social interaction (ways of doing things) which they insist upon. Young skills can be developed so that people with Asperger Asperger syndrome? are accomplished writers, artists and musicians. But disorder’ because the condition affects children, for example, may insist on always walking syndrome can study or work in their favourite The characteristics of Asperger syndrome people with Asperger syndrome can have difficulty people in many different ways and to varying the same way to school. In class, they may get upset subjects. vary from one person to another but are “I have difficulty picking up social cues, with social imagination. This can include: degrees. (For more information about autism, if there is a sudden change to the timetable. People generally divided into three main groups. and difficulty in knowing what to do when • imagining alternative outcomes to situations and with Asperger syndrome often prefer to order their Sensory difficulties please read our leafletWhat is autism?) I get things wrong.” Difficulty with social communication finding it hard to predict what will happen next day to a set pattern. For example, if they work set Asperger syndrome is mostly a ‘hidden disability’. “Robert only has problems with touch • understanding or interpreting other people’s hours, an unexpected delay to their journey to or This means that you can’t tell that someone has the when he doesn’t know what’s coming “If you have Asperger syndrome, Many people with Asperger syndrome want to thoughts, feelings or actions. The subtle messages from work can make them anxious or upset. condition from their outward appearance. People – like jostling in queues and people understanding conversation is like trying be sociable but have difficulty with initiating and that are put across by facial expression and body with the condition have difficulties in three main accidentally brushing into him. Light to understand a foreign language.” sustaining social relationships, which can make them language are often missed areas. They are: touch seems to be worse for him than a very anxious. People with the condition may: • social communication • having a limited range of imaginative activities, firm touch.” • struggle to make and maintain friendships What is Asperger syndrome?

The National Autistic Society is the UK’s Sensory difficulties (contd.) What causes What is a diagnosis? disorder. However, people who have been given leading charity for people affected by autism. People with Asperger syndrome may have sensory Asperger syndrome? Because Asperger syndrome varies widely these diagnoses will have similar difficulties and difficulties. These can occur in one or all of the Over 500,000 people in the UK have autism. from person to person, making a diagnosis similar support needs to those who have Asperger senses (sight, sound, smell, touch, or taste). The The exact cause of Asperger syndrome is Together with their families they make up over two can be difficult. It is often diagnosed later syndrome. degree of difficulty varies from one individual to still being investigated. However, research million people whose lives are touched by autism in children than autism and sometimes another. Most commonly, an individual’s senses are suggests that a combination of factors – every single day. difficulties may not be recognised and Where do I go next? either intensified (over-sensitive) or underdeveloped genetic and environmental – may account for diagnosed until adulthood. The typical Our Autism Helpline offers confidential Despite this, autism is still relatively unknown and (under-sensitive). For example, bright lights, loud changes in brain development. misunderstood. Which means that many of these route for getting a diagnosis is to visit a GP. information and advice on autism and related noises, overpowering smells, particular food textures Asperger syndrome is not caused by a person’s two million people get nothing like the level of help, He or she can refer an individual to other issues. and the feeling of certain materials can be a cause of upbringing, their social circumstances and is not the support and understanding they need. health professionals who can make a formal Tel: 0845 070 4004 anxiety and pain for people with Asperger syndrome. fault of the individual with the condition. diagnosis. Most frequently they will be (open 10am-4pm, Monday-Friday) Together, we are going to change this. People with sensory sensitivity may also find it harder psychiatrists or clinical psychologists and, in Email: [email protected] to use their body awareness system. This system tells Is there a cure? National offices the case of children, paediatricians. us where our bodies are, so for those with reduced There is currently no cure and no specific Our website contains information about autism and Head Office Some people see a formal diagnosis as an unhelpful body awareness, it can be harder to navigate rooms treatment for Asperger syndrome. Children the services we offer:www.autism.org.uk Tel: 020 7833 2299 avoiding obstructions, stand at an appropriate label; however, for many a diagnosis: with Asperger syndrome become adults Easy read versions of our leafletsWhat is autism? and Email: [email protected] distance from other people and carry out ‘fine motor’ with Asperger syndrome. However, as our • helps the individual, families, friends, partners, What is Asperger syndrome? are available to download NAS Cymru tasks such as tying shoelaces. Some people with understanding of the condition improves and carers, professionals and colleagues to better from our website: www.autism.org.uk/easyread Tel: 02920 629 312 Asperger syndrome may rock or spin to help with understand and manage their needs and Email: [email protected] services continue to develop, people with We have some autism information translated into balance and posture or to help them deal with stress. behaviour Asperger syndrome have more opportunity community languages and our Autism Helpline NAS Scotland • is the key needed to open the door to specialised than ever of reaching their full potential. offers a telephone interpretation service for callers Tel: 0141 221 8090 Who is affected by support, eg supported living or finding suitable whose first language is not English. Find out more at Email: [email protected] Asperger syndrome? There are many approaches, therapies and employment. What is www.autism.org.uk/languages NAS Northern Ireland interventions, which can improve an individual’s There are over half a milion people in the UK There are diagnostic differences between conditions Asperger syndrome? Tel: 02890 236 235 quality of life. These may include communication- There are many other organisations offering advice with an autism spectrum disorder – that’s on the autism spectrum. Sometimes people may Email: [email protected] based interventions, behavioural therapy and dietary and support to people affected by autism, including around 1 in 100. People with Asperger receive a diagnosis of autism or autistic spectrum The National Autistic Society is a company limited by guarantee changes. Information about many of these can be those led by disabled people. For details, visit: syndrome come from all nationalities, disorder (ASD), high-functioning autism (HFA) Registered in England No. 1205298 found on The National Autistic Society’s website: www.autism.org.uk/linkslibrary cultures, social backgrounds and religions. or atypical autism instead of Asperger syndrome. Registered Office: 393 City Road, London EC1V 1NG www.autism.org.uk/approaches However, the condition appears to be more Registered in England as a charity No. 269425 Alternatively, they may be given a diagnosis of common in males than females; the reason pervasive developmental disorder – not otherwise Cover artwork by a person on the autism spectrum. The artwork for this is unknown. specified (PDD-NOS) or semantic pragmatic records the things he has seen or done during the day.