Aspergers Syndrome
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People with Aspergers Syndrome perceive the world differently from everyone else. They find the rest of us strange and baffling. The truth is of course, that those with the syndrome are a small minority. The way they perceive the world makes sense to them and has some aspects that are admirable, but can often find themselves in conflict in ways of feeling and behaviour. Many people with AS don't like change, routine is important and the way day to day living means that routine seems to be a key issue. I myself have been living the routine and ritualistic behaviour patterns with my son and my daughter, its a way of life to me and my partner now and our other two children.
A key thing to remember is everyone with AS is different in their own ways
which is possibly why the diagnosis is so difficult, yet there is still so
many people who look at the main symptoms in AS, and expect to find all of
these in each case. It is important however to realise that all are affected
in different ways. There is however the triad of impairments which seem to
affect all AS people, at different levels. 1) which is lack of (lack does
not mean none existent) eye contact, 2) is social communication, 3) is imaginative
play. It has been noted that people with AS can carry out all three of these
but find each extremely difficult.
Other clinical features noticed in AS are inappropriate one sided interaction,
clumsy coordinated movements, odd postures, lack of empathy, little ability
to form friendships, repetitive speech, limited use of gestures, limited facial
expression, intense absorption in certain subjects that are of interest to
them.
Some people with AS find music very stimulating and relaxing when feeling
anxious one example is classical music, such as Beethoven and Mozart etc...
Asperger came from a man called Hans Asperger who first described the condition
in 1944 in his doctoral thesis, in this he had described four boys as being
quite unusual i.e. social abilities, cognitive and linguistic abilities. He
had used the term autistic psychopathy, it was not until 1981 in a paper published
by Lorna Wing who renamed the condition to Aspergers Syndrome.
One of the biggest questions asked is : What is AS and who does it affect?
AS is part of the autistic spectrum but a much milder form although it does
range from mild to high functioning, otherwise known as moreable Autistics.
It can affect anyone although the ratio is about 4 males to 1 female, in young
and old. There are cases where the AS is so mild that people in their forties
are only just being diagnosed. One theory is that the reason that more males
are affected is because girls are more likely to be prompted by other girls
in school and mothered where as boys are more predatory and are more likely
to feel threatened by other boys....
My Husband and I attended an Aspergers Day Conference, which was held at our
local hospital here in Scarborough, North Yorkshire. This was quite an informative
day with lots of our local Professionals and Professionals from further a
field. Some General Practitioners turned up at the conference, these were
the ones who didn't have much awareness of the condition. One point which
I felt was necessary was when it was mentioned that G.P's could have an hand
in diagnosing people with AS and related conditions....
A couple of things pointed out on this day were:- The known facts.
1) AS is part of the Autistic Continuum, 2) Associated with less global intellectual
impairment, 3) The triad of impairments remain evident, 4) Ranges from mild
to severe, this is usually performing better on tasks that require rote memory,
5) High incidence of narrowly focused specialist interest often associated
is the collection of vast amounts of information of facts or objects, 6) Socially
active but displays naive and odd behaviour suggesting a lack of intuitive
of how to behave and rigidity in the application of social rules and the normal.
Facts and figures
46% of people with AS don't get a diagnosis until after they are 16, 65% of
Adults with AS don't get a community care assessment, 59% of AS people still
live at home, 3% of AS adults live independently. Not all people with AS prefer
to be alone, despite to contrary belief people with AS do want relationships:
Finally, I want to say to those of you who have Asperger's Syndrome: be
proud of who you are. You have the right to be yourself, and other people
should accept you as you are.
And those of you who know someone with Asperger's Syndrome: respect his or her disability and don't try to change this person. It can be exciting to get to know somebody who isn't like everybody else.
And to all: Being different
is just as good as being like everyone else..
The above comment's were made by a person called Gunilla Gerland, herself
a person with Aspergers Syndrome and the above quote was from a book written
by this lady, named "Finding out about Aspergers Syndrome, High functioning
Autism and PDD....
Literal Thinking and not what to say....
1) Pull your socks up.
2) Has the cat got your tongue.
3) Keep your eye on the ball.
4) I could have died laughing.
5) You are getting to big for your boots.
6) Do you think money grows on trees.
7) Pick your feet up.
8) Have you got 2 left feet.
9) I cant see for looking.
10) You cant pull the wool over my eyes.
11) I've got my eye on you.
12) I'm pulling your leg.
13) Put your face straight.
14) You have got egg on your face.
15) I wouldn't like to be in your shoes.
The first 2 books are written by Lianne Holliday Willey, AS sufferer and mother of AS child as well... Aspergers HUH A book for children aged from 6 to 12 years, although very suitable for parents, teachers and professional's, who could all benefit from reading this book. This book is from a child's perspective.. This is Autism is an ideal book for Aspergers kids, appropriate to share with teachers, parents and grandparents and those who work with, live with and love these children...
for more books click here