What is the def. of Aspergers??
jane johnston
this list, so sorry in advance.
But what is the definition of Aspergers anyway.
If I might have it, as someone suggested, I at least want to know
what it is i have. This person also said that some people have been
rediagnosed from ADD.
--jane j
Marian Blackmore
I wouldn't really classify this one as a FAQ because the Literature is not
united around the difference between one A syndrome and the other. Kanner
described a certain population of what became known as "Infantile Autistics"
in the early 1940s or therabout. Hans Asperger, from Vienna, observed a
different group of people and wrote up his impressions. His original
article can be seen in Autism and Asperger Syndrome, edited by Uta Frith.
Some say that Asperger's is "light" autism, while others say that it is
"autistic-like, but the kids develop instead of staying stuck in
themselves." Personally, I tend toward the view that Kanner and Asperger
were viewing the same elephant. I know that I personally feel at home with
people who have been diagnosed with autism and with Aspergers, and that
things seem to be a matter of degree. There is also so much biochemical and
neurological individuality within any population that autistic people can be
very, very different from each other.
I hope this helps
G. Blackmore of mbblackm
jbadner
>I am sure this a FAQ at this pt. Only you don't always run one on
>this list, so sorry in advance.
>But what is the definition of Aspergers anyway.
>If I might have it, as someone suggested, I at least want to know
>what it is i have. This person also said that some people have been
>rediagnosed from ADD.
The following is the DSM-IV criteria for Aspergers. It is very
similar to the criteria for Autism with the exception of lack of
clinically significant language or cognitive delays for Aspergers.
jbadner (one of the many proliferating Judy's on this list)
DSM IV criteria for Asperger's Disorder
A. Qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at
least two of the following:
1) marked impairment in the use of multiple non-verbal behaviors such as
eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, body postures, and gestures to
regulate social interaction
2) failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level
3) a lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or
achievements with other people (e.g. a lack of showing, bringing, or
pointing out objects of interest to other people)
4) lack of social or emotional reciprocity
B. Restrictive, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behavior,
interests, and activities, as manifested by at least one of the following:
1) encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and
restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus
2) apparent inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or
rituals
3) stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g. hand or body
flapping or twisting, or complex whole-body movements)
4) persistent preoccupation with parts of objects
C. The disturbance causes clinically significant impairment in social,
occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
D. There is no clinically significant general delay in language (e.g.
single words used by 2 years, communicative phrases used by 3 years).
E. There is no clinically significant delay in cognitive development or
in the development of age-appropriate self-help skills, adaptive behavior
(other than in social interaction), and curiosity about the environment
in childhood.
F. Criteria are not met for another specific Pervasive Developmental
Disorder or Schizophrenia.
jane johnston
What do i do with it now??
--jane j
gerald Newport
>I'm afraid the DSM IV def. sounds so much like me it's scarey.
>What do i do with it now??
>
>--jane j
>
>
relieved. You don't have to do anything, but if you think that
you might ever need some services, why not seek an evaluation.
You don't have to accept SSI, PASS plans or any of the other
possible services, but it would be nice to know they are
available if you ever need them.
Good luck!
Jerry
PS: If you want to just be a good citizen of the autism/asperger's
community, a competent evaluation will help your credibility, if
you want to help others benefit from your experience.
Jennifer P. Schneider
>What do i do with it now??
>
>--jane j
How about learning more about Asperger's?
When my son Ben learned about Asperger's at age 25, his main reaction was
RELIEF. For the first time he finally understood why he'd been having
social difficulties all his life, why he had those rituals and compulsions,
etc. Knowing also benefited him in that when he recently decided he'd like
to get some counseling, he asked me to help him find a counselor that was
familiar with Asperger's syndrome. In the past he saw a psychiatrist and
various counselors who assumed that his childhood difficulties were due to
poor parenting, etc. etc. (I'm sure that too many of us parents on this
list had similar experiences,) and he now felt that what would be much more
helpfl to him he would be a counselor who would focus on the present and on
helping him with social skills training.
Jennifer Schneider
jsc...@azstarnet.com