The document discusses Asperger's Syndrome, which is defined as a developmental disability characterized by impairments in social skills and restrictive, repetitive behaviors. It was identified in 1944 and added to the DSM in 1994. Causes may include genetics and environmental factors affecting brain development. Prevalence has increased from 4-6 per 10,000 prior to 1980 to 60-70 per 10,000 today. Common characteristics include sensory sensitivities, impaired pragmatic language skills, lack of emotional connection, narrow interests, motor clumsiness, need for predictability, and rigid thinking. The document provides strategies for parenting and educating individuals with Asperger's.

1. Laura Debenham
Asperger’s Syndrome

2. "People with autism spend more time
doing things they are not good at than
anyone else."
Toni Atwood

3. Definition
Asperger’s Syndrome (AS) is a developmental
disability that is defined by impairments in social
relationships, verbal and nonverbal communication,
and by restrictive, repetitive patterns of behaviors,
interests, and activities.

4. Background
 Identified in 1944 by Hans Asperger.
(Austria)
 Brought to the attention of the
English-speaking world in 1980 by Dr.
Lorna Wing.
 Was not added to the Diagnostic and
Statistics Manual of the American
Psychiatric Association until 1994.
 “Autism’s Shadow”

5. Causes
 There seems to be a hereditary component
 Environmental factors that affect brain
development might play a role
Not caused by:
 Emotional deprivation
 Bad parenting

6. Incidence Rates
 48 out every 10,000 children
(Kadesjo, Gillberg, & Nagberg, 1999)

7. Increasing Prevalence
 Autism, strictly defined
– 4-6 in 10,000 prior to 1980’s (Lotter 1967)
– 16-20 in 10,000 today (Chakrabarti & Fombonne 2001)
 Autism spectrum disorders
– 10 in 10,000 in 1990’s (Bryson et al 1988)
– 60-70 in 10,000 today (Chakrabarti & Fombonne 2001)

8. Famous Aspies...
 • Albert Einstein
 • Henry Ford
 • Thomas Edison
 • Thomas Jefferson
 • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
 • Isaac Newton
 • Henry Thoreau
 • Mark Twain
 • Vincent Van Gogh
 • John Denver
 • Alfred Hitchcock
 • Howard Hughes

9.  Andy Warhol
 Woody Allen
 Bill Gates
 Al Gore
 John Nash
 Keanu Reeves
 Alex P. Keaton
 Cliff Clavin from Cheers
 Lisa Simpson and Moe from Mo's tavern
 Mr Bean
 Steve Urkel
 Calvin of Calvin and Hobbes
 Frankenstein's Monster
 Ludwig van Beethoven
 Andy Warhol
 Woody Allen
 Bill Gates
 Al Gore
 John Nash
 Keanu Reeves
 Alex P. Keaton
 Cliff Clavin from Cheers
 Lisa Simpson and Moe from Mo's tavern
 Mr Bean
 Steve Urkel
 Calvin of Calvin and Hobbes
 Frankenstein's Monster
 Ludwig van Beethoven
 Andy Warhol
 Woody Allen
 Bill Gates
 Al Gore
 John Nash
 Keanu Reeves
 Alex P. Keaton
 Cliff Clavin from Cheers
 Lisa Simpson and Moe from Mo's tavern
 Mr Bean
 Steve Urkel
 Calvin of Calvin and Hobbes
 Frankenstein's Monster
 Ludwig van Beethoven
 Andy Warhol
 Woody Allen
 Bill Gates
 Al Gore
 John Nash
 Keanu Reeves
 Alex P. Keaton
 Cliff Clavin from Cheers
 Lisa Simpson and Moe from Mo's tavern
 Mr Bean
 Steve Urkel
 Calvin of Calvin and Hobbes
 Frankenstein's Monster
 Ludwig van Beethoven

10. Think S P E N C E R
 S Sensory Sensitivities
 P Pragmatic Language Skills Impaired
 E Emotional Connection
 N Narrow Interest Range
 C Clumsiness with Motor Skills
 E Environment that is Predictable
 R Rigidity of Thought

12. S Sensory Sensitivities
 Don't excuse it or make the child feel bad about feeling
bad
 Intense or under reactive to a sensation
 Clothing
 Slight bump by another
 Florescent lights
 Hug = squeeze

13. P Pragmatic Skills Impaired
 They see language as a way to share information
 They want to receive information correctly, sussincly and
without emotion.
 May use diologue from pop culture to communicate
 They have a profound interest in words.
 Challenge him to memorize
 Provide music, theater and nonfiction books

14. E Emotional Connection
Impaired
 He was not born with the “sixth” sense.
 Since you cannot teach him to emote, appeal to other
senses.
 Conversation turn-taking
 Perspective taking
 They can be overly dependent on care-giver
 Point out how he slips up
 Explain what others are doing socially

15. Alyson Bradley's self-portrait, Full Circle, representing
some of her feelings about living with Asperger's
Syndrome.

16. N Narrow Interest Range
 Few interests but they dominate
 Special interest
 Encourage reading
 Use his special interest to teach social skills
 An enriched environment will encourage broadening of
the interest range
 Protect him. Be aware of the special dangers of early
sexuality.

17. C Clumsy Motor Skills
 Let the schedule work for you
 Encourage trying new things

18. E Environment Predictability
 Importance of structure and routine
 Talk about changes way before they happen so he can
plan.
 If you have to be spontaneous, communicate to him the
reasons so he can have some control.

19. R Rigidity of Thought
 Mindblindedness – inability to determine what
others are thinking.
 They tend to take things literally.
 Need for time alone to reconstruct social
interactions.

20. Instructional Ideas
 Be careful in classroom seating assignments
 Use the “peer buddy” system
 Avoid self-selection in group work
 Carefully consider the maturity of the group
members involved
 Provide “safe haven” or quiet area
 Explain metaphor and sarcasm use concretely
 Use “social stories” for providing directions
 Vigorously but respectfully maintain class rules and
other boundaries

23. Other treatments
 Parent education and training
 Social skills training
 Language therapy
 Sensory integration training for younger children,
usually performed by an occupational therapist, in
which a child is desensitized to stimuli to which he is
overly sensitive
 Psychotherapy or behavioral/cognitive therapy for
older children

24. Technology
 Visuals
 Graphics
 Models, manipulatives
 Computers
 The Internet

25. Resources continued
Hoopmann Kathy (1998). All Cats Have Asperger Syndrome, 2006
Jessica Kingsley Publishers

26. Resources continued
Sohn, A. (1998). Parenting Your Asperger Child: Individualized Solutions
for Teaching Your Child Practical Skills. Philadelphia, PA: Jessica
Kingsley Publishers, Ltd.

27. Resources continued
Attwood, T. (1998). Asperger’s Syndrome:A guide for parents and
professionals. Philadelphia, PA: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, Ltd.