Asperger's Syndrome

jax2130 · Jan 12, 2008

i know that it is a very mild form of autism classified under the autistic spectrum disorders. those who are diagnosed with this d/o differ from those diagnosed w/ autism in the fact that there was not a speech/language delay as there, more often that not, is w/ autism. those diagnosed w/ aspergers are said to be "little professors" in that they speak so well that they often sound like a little professor. they do, however, have a difficult time in social situations. they have a difficult time maintaining a two-way conversation. they focus so much on their topic of interest that if the person they're conversing with, per say, changes the topic, the person w/ aspergers will go right back to talking about what he/she was talking about before. They have a difficult time understand irony, puns, and figures of speech (i.e. "when pigs fly"). they take what is said to them very literally. they present with abnormalities of voice inflection and repetition, and are more often than not clumsy. they do tend to focus on a major topic of interest (trains, door hinges, door knobs, etc....) but i tend to dismiss this because what child doesn't have a favorite toy or interest?

anyway, i hope this helps. i don't know if this is info you might already be aware of, but i've read a lot about this d/o as well as autism, high-functioning autism, SPD (semantic pragmatic d/o), etc.

p.s. did you know that it's been said that Bill Gates has aspergers? interesting, huh?

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jan 12, 2008

i know that it is a very mild form of autism classified under the autistic spectrum disorders. those who are diagnosed with this d/o differ from those diagnosed w/ autism in the fact that there was not a speech/language delay as there, more often that not, is w/ autism. those diagnosed w/ aspergers are said to be "little professors" in that they speak so well that they often sound like a little professor. they do, however, have a difficult time in social situations. they have a difficult time maintaining a two-way conversation. they focus so much on their topic of interest that if the person they're conversing with, per say, changes the topic, the person w/ aspergers will go right back to talking about what he/she was talking about before. They have a difficult time understand irony, puns, and figures of speech (i.e. "when pigs fly"). they take what is said to them very literally. they present with abnormalities of voice inflection and repetition, and are more often than not clumsy. they do tend to focus on a major topic of interest (trains, door hinges, door knobs, etc....) but i tend to dismiss this because what child doesn't have a favorite toy or interest?
anyway, i hope this helps. i don't know if this is info you might already be aware of, but i've read a lot about this d/o as well as autism, high-functioning autism, SPD (semantic pragmatic d/o), etc.
p.s. did you know that it's been said that Bill Gates has aspergers? interesting, huh?

Thank you so much for your articulate description. Thinking about that documentary, I noticed that this person did, in fact, miss irony and puns. He is an adult that was trying to look for a job. He got one in a mail room. Over the years, he focused so much on soap operas that he believed that he would see "beautiful people all over the place in nice clothes". Then, he started working and was disenchanted. He was overheard by his collagues telling his supervisor that "I didn't know that so many Blacks and Hispanics worked here. It makes me nervous, this is not what I expected and I feel like I am walking in Harlem". He got fired. Then, he started working as a receptionist and he was filmed eating at the desk, and opening private mail meant to be for the director of human resources. His supervisor was trying to explain to him that he is not authorized to do anything else other than place the mail in the bins. This man could not wrap his brain around the concept that he invaded someone's privacy. He kept saying that he always wants to know what is happening before others, and he still wanted to make a copy of what he discovered. Also, he was fixated on discovering a way to be able to read magazines and eat at the desk in 'a more discrete way'. He continued to talk about that over and over and over again until HE was ready to terminate the conversation.

Funny, at the age of 4 he would walk up to strangers and ask them their birthdays, and he would be able to immediately tell them what day of the week, the time, and the position of the moon on the day they were born. He was articulate enough to say that he didn't comprehend how he offended people, but he had rememberance of what he said to people and when. He can speak about how he is focused on watching Mr. Rodger's Neighborhood and Wheel of Fortune. It was an interesting show. I really appreciate your time to explain this to me. I am a curious sort, that loves reading and watching shows on medical oddities.

zuzi · Jan 12, 2008

A very good site, to understand an Asperger

http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Asperger_syndrome_and_adults?open

a good forum

http://www.psychforums.com/viewforum.php?f=145

Aspergers are just different, not because they want to be like that, they are like that and they could not realize the differences, of course that is frustating for social peers.

Typical adult symptoms

More males than females have Asperger syndrome. While every person who has the syndrome will experience different symptoms and severity of symptoms, some of the more common characteristics include:

Average or above average intelligence
Inability to think in abstract ways
Difficulties in empathising with others
Problems with understanding another person’s point of view
Hampered conversational ability
Problems with controlling feelings such as anger, depression and anxiety
Adherence to routines and schedules, and stress if expected routine is disrupted
Inability to manage appropriate social conduct
Specialised fields of interest or hobbies.

The emotions of other people

A person with Asperger syndrome may have trouble understanding the emotions of other people, and the subtle messages that are sent by facial expression, eye contact and body language are often missed. Because of this, a person with Asperger syndrome might be seen as egotistical, selfish or uncaring. These are unfair labels, because the affected person is neurologically unable to understand other people’s emotional states. They are usually shocked, upset and remorseful when told their actions were hurtful or inappropriate.

Sexual codes of conduct

Research into the sexual understanding of people with Asperger syndrome is in its infancy. Studies suggest that affected people are as interested in sex as anyone else, but many don’t have the social or empathetic skills to successfully manage adult relationships.

Delayed understanding is common; for example, a person with Asperger syndrome aged in their 20s typically has the sexual codes of conduct befitting a teenager. Even affected people who are high achieving and academically or vocationally successful have trouble negotiating the ‘hidden rules’ of courtship. Inappropriate sexual behaviour can result.

Being a partner and parent

Some affected people can maintain relationships and parent children, although there are challenges. A common marital problem is unfair distribution of responsibilities. For example, the partner of a person with Asperger syndrome may be used to doing everything in the relationship when it is just the two of them. However, the partner may need practical and emotional support once children come along, which the person with Asperger syndrome is ill equipped to provide. When the partner expresses frustration or becomes upset that they’re given no help of any kind, the person with Asperger syndrome is typically baffled. Tension in the relationship often makes their symptoms worse.

The workplace

The Commonwealth Department of Family and Community Services, in conjunction with a range of specialist employment services, helps to place people with disabilities in

the workforce. A person with Asperger syndrome may find their job opportunities limited by their disability. It may help to choose a vocation that takes into account the individual’s symptoms, and plays to the strengths rather than the weaknesses. The following career suggestions are adapted from material written by Temple Grandin, who has high-functioning autism and is an assistant professor at Colorado University, USA.

Careers to avoid - suggestions

Careers that rely on short term memory should be avoided. Examples include:

Cashier
Short order cook
Waitress
Taxi dispatcher
Air traffic controller
Receptionist.

Career suggestions for visual thinkers

Suggestions include:

Computer programming
Drafting
Commercial art
Photography
Equipment design
Mechanic
Appliance repair
Handcraft artisan
Webpage designer
Video game designer
Building maintenance
Building trades.

Career suggestions for those good at mathematics or music

Suggestions include:

Accounting
Computer programming
Engineering
Journalist, copy editor
Taxi driver
Piano (or other musical instrument) tuner
Filing positions
Statistician
Physician
Mathematician
Bank teller
Telemarketing.

Common issues for partners

An adult’s diagnosis of Asperger syndrome often tends to follow their child’s diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. This ‘double whammy’ can be extremely distressing to the partner who has to cope simultaneously with both diagnoses. Counselling, or joining a support group where they can talk with other people who face the same challenges, can be helpful. Some common issues for partners include:

Feeling overly responsible for their partner.
Failure to have their own needs met by the relationship.
Lack of emotional support from family members and friends who don’t fully understand or appreciate the extra strains placed on a relationship by Asperger syndrome.
A sense of isolation, because the challenges of their relationship are different and not easily understood by others.
Frustration, since problems in the relationship don’t seem to improve despite great efforts.
Frequent wondering about whether or not to end the relationship.
Difficulties in accepting that their partner won’t recover from Asperger syndrome. After accepting that their partner’s Asperger syndrome won’t get better, common emotions include guilt, despair and disappointment

Things to remember

A person with Asperger syndrome often has trouble

understanding the emotions of other people, and the subtle messages that are sent by facial expression, eye contact and body language are often missed. Social training, which teaches how to behave in different social situations, is generally more helpful to a person with Asperger syndrome than counselling

See copyright first link!

steelcityrn, RN · Jan 12, 2008

Very good descriptions presented. I have a homecare patient who I have seen daily for dressing changes. Her son has aspergers, he is around 21. He is still very difficult in some ways for her to handle. Unless he knows someone very, very well, he cannot speak or make eye contact. I actually bumped into him by accident, he was hovered on the bottem stairs waiting for me to leave. I said hi, he said back"I made 3 a's and 1 b this time. He is a communtity college. His mom said that was amazing, she said it took alot for him to say that. He is very smart about politics, and I think he only watched the c span. He has wrote articles about political problems that are very impressive. The big worry now is where he will go to complete his degree, and how will he fit in.

StrwbryblndRN · Jan 12, 2008

My nephew has been diagnosed for a few years now. I do not notice if he makes eye contact or not. He can be social just not with what the average person would call manners. He is honest and does not know when not to say something. HE makes jokes at inappropriate times or he is serious unnecessarily. He can't figure what is right to say and what is not. He also does not know personal space. He tends to react negatively if he is not aware of changes in his schedule. Last minute changes cause anger outbursts. Or even major changes like moving take a long time to work out. He needs to know why.

He can't control his feelings well. He is not overly emotional, he just expresses his feeling very openly and it takes a awhile to calm him and talk it out. (most kids are like this but he is on the edge of the spectrum) Meds help control alot of outbursts. Kids and most adults do not see a disablilty in him but just an odd child. If you spend enough time with him you will see it.

He is a very intelligent child but with no special skill, like calculating figures in a split second. Just a strong desire to learn and apply information. He loves trains and history. Discovery channel is his favorite. Modern marvels, dirty jobs etc. The info appeals to him.

He will tell anything about the show whether you want to hear it or not.

Gotta love him.

amadoulah713 · Jan 12, 2008

i know that it is a very mild form of autism classified under the autistic spectrum disorders. those who are diagnosed with this d/o differ from those diagnosed w/ autism in the fact that there was not a speech/language delay as there, more often that not, is w/ autism. those diagnosed w/ aspergers are said to be "little professors" in that they speak so well that they often sound like a little professor. they do, however, have a difficult time in social situations. they have a difficult time maintaining a two-way conversation. they focus so much on their topic of interest that if the person they're conversing with, per say, changes the topic, the person w/ aspergers will go right back to talking about what he/she was talking about before. They have a difficult time understand irony, puns, and figures of speech (i.e. "when pigs fly"). they take what is said to them very literally. they present with abnormalities of voice inflection and repetition, and are more often than not clumsy. they do tend to focus on a major topic of interest (trains, door hinges, door knobs, etc....) but i tend to dismiss this because what child doesn't have a favorite toy or interest?
anyway, i hope this helps. i don't know if this is info you might already be aware of, but i've read a lot about this d/o as well as autism, high-functioning autism, SPD (semantic pragmatic d/o), etc.
p.s. did you know that it's been said that Bill Gates has aspergers? interesting, huh?

I would agree with this, yes. One correction -- "SPD" can also refer to Sensory Processing Disorder, which is also a part of Autism Spectrum, but it is being researched now as a separate disorder in itself, for inclusion in the next DSM-V (my little one also has this problem).

I volunteer with a sports program for children with special needs, the majority of whom have some form of autism (60+ kids). Asperger's is sort of like an 'off-shoot', it's harder to diagnose, but it's also considered 'high-functioning' form of autism. (We also have Downs Syndrome, cerebral palsy, brain damage, developmental delays, and other disabilities.)

For a good example of Asperger's, check out Temple Grandin's work -- she has become a rather famous 'face' of autism and has written several books and been interviewed. There is also Donna Williams, but I may have her name wrong -- going off of memory, here.

Bill Gates ... yes, lots of rumors about him ... never confirmed but lots of talk.

If anyone has ever seen MTV's "Top Model", in the beginning, a model named Heather (I think, I'd have to look it up) became famous because she was competing for the Top Model award, and she has Asperger's.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jan 12, 2008

This is a fascinating subject. I really appreciate everyone's input. I worked in psych as an aide, but I don't think I encountered a patient with this disorder. It is interesting to note the suggested careers of those with Aspergers. I do believe that they have a talent, and can contribute to society in a positive way and receive positive feedback if employed in the right settings. This almost reminds me of the movie "A Beautiful Mind". Things can be focused in a constructive way rather than destructive to themselves and others.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jan 12, 2008

Oh, and I never heard that Bill Gates may have been diagnosed with this; but hey, if it is true, he did a fascinating thing! He made the world smaller and more convienent via internet. This is why we are all able to interact,now!

nurz2be · Jan 12, 2008

I was watching a documentary about a woman who filmed her brother's development from birth who was diagnosed with Asperger's when he was 20 years old. This was a personal perspective. I had read about this before, but am trying to get the jist of exactly what this disorder is. I know that it is sort of a 'spin-off' of autism; but is it that these people have fixations on certain things such as television shows, trains (or whatever), and are unable to pick up on non-verbal communication? And that they act inappropriately by saying or doing things that are not socially acceptable?
This inquiring mind wishes to comprehend...

My cousin William, who is now 43, was diagnosed with Asperger's. I can tell you how he reacted and reacts. I can tell you that there are degrees of Asperger's. These do not have any outstanding facial characteristics like in patients with Down's syndrome.

When he was young, he was slow to gain speech. He is more Autistic in the way he has to have things "just so" in his space or it completely disrupts his day. He is communicative BUT he does not get even the simplest of jokes. He is VERY artistic. He can draw ANY cartoon character. He is a calculator. He can do basic math, addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication in his head. Cannot comprehend Algebra. He graduated high school in the developmental education courses. He cannot comprehend things like Shakespeare, abstract thinking is nonexistent. He can tell you anything about music, from Bach to Eminem. He knows things that we are not quite sure where he learned them. He DOES NOT like to be touched unless he first initiates a pat or a hug, which are few and far between. He will not make eye contact. He generally looks at the floor or to your side when speaking. He will start a conversation if he needs to ask something, but it is rare that he asks anything. He gets nervous when too many people are around. He prefers to be alone in his room, he still lives at home with his parents. Little kids make him terribly anxious. If a baby cries he will literally start rocking back and forth and try to find a place to go. He does not take any medications for this diagnosis as he is not manic as some that are diagnosed with a higher level of Asperger's. One problem that they encountered a few years ago is that because of not being someone who can express his feelings either of an emotional nature or discomfort/pain, he had to have his leg amputated. He ALWAYS wears socks, the fixation issue, and has NEVER complained of a cold, being sick or in pain. One day my sister went into his room when he was putting on his socks and she saw that his right leg, foot included, was totally black. She, a nurse, knew what it was and that he was in trouble. She asked him if his foot hurt and he said it didn't. They rushed him to the hospital and it was obviously too late. They had to amputate his foot and found out that he was diabetic. Now, they have to ask him weekly and look at his other leg to make sure he isn't having issues. He did get a prosthetic leg, never complaining, and he does well with it.

Anyways, they are amazing people.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jan 12, 2008

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asperger_syndrome

I just read this at Wikipedia; very interesting.

babbz · Jan 12, 2008

I saw the same show you did last night and they actually had a scene with my school (BMCC, NY) in the background so that was cool. Also remember the scene with the twins? That was sweet, he's their uncle!

Anyway, it's a very high functioning disorder and you may not notice it right away in some persons. I read the wiki piece on Asperger's online and it's very interesting.