Running Head: Aspergers Syndrome: An Autism Spectrum Disorder

Aspergers Syndrome: An Autism Spectrum Disorder

Kelsie Lacox, Ashley Bell, Morgan Turner, Neeley Godwin, and Brenda Santoyo
Lifespan Developmental Psychology
Salt Lake Community College
Spring 2016

Definition of Aspergers Syndrome

To comprehend Aspergers syndrome, the explanation of autism spectrum
disorder will need to be involved. Autism spectrum disorder is a developmental disorder
marked by difficulty with social communication and interaction; including difficulty
seeing another persons point of view, and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior,
interests, or activities. ASD and autism are both general terms for a group of complex
disorders of brain development. Autism spectrum disorder can be associated with an
intellectual disability and is characterized by difficulties in motor coordination, attention
and physical health issues such as sleep and gastrointestinal disturbances. Some people
with ASD excel in specific subjects including music, math and art. Berger states that of
all the special-needs children, those with autism spectrum disorder are probably the most

Running Head: Aspergers Syndrome: An Autism Spectrum Disorder

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

Running Head: Aspergers Syndrome: An Autism Spectrum Disorder

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.

History of Aspergers Syndrome

The history of Aspergers syndrome is brief; this disorder was a relatively new
diagnosis in the field of autism until it was combined with all the autism disorders and
was merged in the 2013 edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders, published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA).
Hans Aspergers Studies, was named in honor of Hans Asperger, (190680), an
Austrian psychiatrist and pediatrician. Asperger was the director of the University
Children's Clinic in Vienna, spending most of his professional life in this country and
largely publishing in German. In 1944, Asperger described in the paper, "'Autistic
Psychopathy' in Childhood", four children in his practice who had difficulty integrating
themselves socially. Although their intelligence appeared normal, the children lacked
nonverbal communication skills, failed to demonstrate empathy with their peers, and
were physically clumsy (Asperger & Frith, 1944, 1991). Their speaking was either
disjointed or overly formal, and their all-absorbing interest in a single topic dominated
their conversations (Baskin & Sperber, 2006). Asperger called the condition "autistic
psychopathy", also the name of his paper, and described it as primarily marked by social

Running Head: Aspergers Syndrome: An Autism Spectrum Disorder

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).

Symptoms of Aspergers Syndrome

Symptoms of Aspergers (AS) vary from person to person. Children with
Aspergers often have an obsessive focus on a narrow topic of interest. A person with AS
may develop an all-consuming interest or fixation on certain aspects of their everyday
life. This could include anything from a one-sided conversation to a fixation on a subject
or object, or for a child, a toy. For example, when having a conversation with someone
with AS, that person is oblivious to the other persons attempts to change the topic of

Running Head: Aspergers Syndrome: An Autism Spectrum Disorder

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

Running Head: Aspergers Syndrome: An Autism Spectrum Disorder

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

Running Head: Aspergers Syndrome: An Autism Spectrum Disorder

amount of chemicals found in consumer goods, medicines, and building materials

increases, the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders rises as well.
Treatment for Aspergers Syndrome
As of this very moment, there is no single best treatment for Aspergers
Syndrome. Individuals with Aspergers have many different degrees of impairment in
social and behavioral function. Specific medications to treat the main characteristics of
this syndrome have yet to be identified. However, just because there is no cure for
Aspergers, it does not mean that an individual with Aspergers syndrome cannot live a
highly functional and happy life. There are many different approaches to successfully
dealing with this disorder, and each treatment is individualized according to the childs
age and needs.
For instance, family education is typically the first step in Aspergers Syndrome
treatment. It is important that the family is educated on the disorder and symptoms, as
well as being informed of the skills the child must develop to succeed. These needs
absolutely must be addressed to all of the adults involved in the childs care, as well as
education.
In deciding which treatment route is best for an individual, the individual and his
or her family, must be fully open to a multidisciplinary approach, which typically makes
use of a childs strengths and weaknesses. Verbal cognitive ability, formal language,
nonverbal language, problem solving skills, pragmatic language, and an over arousal of
anxiety all must be addressed before any other mediation can be implemented.
Speech and language therapy are used and focus on the use of language in social
settings. Adapting skills must be taught through practicing, scheduling and rehearsing,
which are all identified from scores on adaptive behavior scale. An education plan is

Running Head: Aspergers Syndrome: An Autism Spectrum Disorder

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.

Running Head: Aspergers Syndrome: An Autism Spectrum Disorder

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