A Journey Through Asperger

1
A Journey ThroughAspergers Syndrome

• Ali, Katie, Liza

2
What is Aspergers?

• Aspergers syndrome (AS) is a developmental
  disorder. 
• An autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
• Mildest form of Autism
• Dr. Hans Asperger
• 1944
• Boys with similar traits
• Boy studies b/c most cases were found in boys
  (still today 70-80)
• May be because girls can overcome symptoms based
  on socialization
• Neurological disorder
• ASD of a distinct group of neurological
  conditions
• greater or less than average degree of impairment
  in language and communication skills,
• repetitive or restrictive patterns of thought and
  behavior.

3
Common Traits Characteristics

• socially awkward and clumsy
• naive and gullible
• unaware of others' feelings
• unable to carry on conversation
• easily upset by changes
• literal in speech and understanding
• sensitive to loud sounds, lights, odors
• fixated on one subject or object
• physically awkward in sports
• very accurate memory for details

4
Diagnosing the Syndrome

• Two main criteria for diagnosis DSM IV and
  Gillbergs criteria
• Impairment in social interactions
• Limited all-consuming interests
• Burden regarding routines and interests
• Speech and communication problems
• Non-verbal language difficulties
• Difficulty with motor skills

5
Possible Treatment

• The earlier the better!
• Psychosocial interventions
• Social training skills
• Cognitive behavior therapy
• Any activity to help individual learn to adjust
  to social situations and act appropriately
• Camp, teen tours, group communication
• Psychopharmalogical interventions
• NO CURE!

6
What Can Cause All this?The debate

• NOT BAD PARENTING!
• Genetics (still a lot of research in Progress)
• Family inheritance on fathers side
• Studies of brain
• Right lobe studies using MRIs
• Research done in 1994 and 1995
• Disability with right hemisphere
• Right front lobe especially deals with social
  rules
• Other Findings
• Birth problems, lack of oxygen
• central nervous system dysfunction

7
An Interview with Aspergers

• Wendy Lawson her story
• always new she was different
• Very difficult to make friends
• No flexibility
• Obsessions of interests
• animals and insects
• Tinted glasses
• Only cotton
• Cant read body language
• Social skills by trial and error
• Uncomfortable when not in control

• Autism is being present in this world,But not
  entirely of it.I am one step removed and
  curled,The switch just doesn't click.
• I perform the role of my perception,And play
  many parts so well.But minus files for my
  redemption,My part in life I cannot tell.
• Life is like a video,I watch but cannot
  partake.My uneven skills are but an echo,Of the
  frustrations which I hate!
• However, my focused use of time and space,I
  would not give away.I know that I am especially
  placed,For some developed career one day!

8
Fact or Myth?

• ALL PEOPLE WITH ASPERGERS SYNDROME ARE EXACTLY
  THE SAME?
• False
• ASPERGERS SYNDROME IS HIGH FUNCTION AUTISM
• True
• ALL PEOPLE WITH ASPERGERS SYNDROME CAN HAVE
  MEANINGFUL JOBS AND LIVE INDEPENDENTLY
• False
• IF YOU CAN FIX THE BEHAVIORS OF PEOPLE WITH
  ASPERGERS SYNDROME, YOU CAN CURE THE DISORDER
• False
• SOME PEOPLE WITH ASPERGERS SYNDROME DESIRE
  FRIENDSHIP
• True
• FROM A CROWD OF PEOPLE I MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO
  PICK THE PERSON WITH ASPERGERS OUT
•  
• True!

9
Aspergers In HistorySurprised?

• Albert Einstein and Isaac Newton

10
Works Cited

• http//www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/asperger/asperg
  er.htm
• http//img.nesteklikk.no/2005-14/medium/56555.jpg
• http//img.pathfinder.gr/CMAN/i/61/0/26-5.jpg
• http//www.learningdiscoveries.org/Aspergers.htm
• www.scarfuk.co.uk/ images/image2.gif
• http//mugsy.org/wendy/wendy13.jpg
• http//www.aspergers.com/
• http//info.med.yale.edu/chldstdy/autism/aspergers
  .html
• http//www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/asperger/asperg
  er.htm
• http//www.geocities.com/Athens/Troy/1807/criteria
  .html