So what is Asperger’s Syndrome?
Those of us who have AS or are close to someone with AS are positive we know what it is — but what is Asperger’s Syndrome, really?
A few definitions from the Web:
Asperger’s syndrome is a developmental disorder that affects a child’s ability to socialize and communicate effectively with others. Children with Asperger’s syndrome typically exhibit social awkwardness and an all-absorbing interest in specific topics.
Asperger’s syndrome – MayoClinic.com
Autism Speaks is not my favorite organization, and their definition of AS below shows why. Pretty bleak, no?
“…is a neurological disorder … difficult to identify and express their feelings…challenging, even impossible, to connect with others, … many kids flap their hands… many parents wind up with a multi-pronged approach to treating Asperger’s Syndrome … your child will likely be able to live independently…”
If you have time, this is a comprehensive article on AS, courtesy of BRASS, Bend Redmond Asperger Syndrome Support. Here are some short excerpts:
Symptoms of AS include: impaired ability to utilize social cues such as body language, irony, or other “subtext” of communication; restricted eye contact and socialization; limited range of encyclopedic interests; preservative, odd behaviors; didactic, verbose, monotone, droning voice; “concrete” thinking; over-sensitivity to certain stimuli; and unusual movements.
It is necessary to realize that we are discussing a variety of symptoms with AS, and that not every characteristic will manifest itself in each individual. Some traits may not apply in your particular case.
In regular school, the child does not seem able to have conversations with his age-peers … As a teenager, the lack of organization and spikes of interest continue. The Aspie becomes the brunt of jokes and the victim of bullies. … As an adult, the individual has self-taught mechanisms to protect themselves. Some Aspies may have learned to lie, while other Aspies continue to be exceedingly truthful throughout their life. The Aspie may have learned to explode in rage …
Here is a link to the official definition of Asperger’s, from the DSM IV, the official diagnosis manual for psychological and neurological conditions, courtesy of the ANI website. Go ahead and read it, it will open in a new window.
There are hundreds of definitions online, I’ve deliberately picked some that are quite different from each other. Some imply that AS is a children’s issue, others realize it is a lifelong condition. Some highlight only the disabling symptoms, others show that Aspies have strengths uncommon in NT folk. Some talk about treatments to alleviate the “pain and despair”, others revel in the glory of being different. The DSM seems to be the bleakest of all, listing only the severe symptoms of AS as a disorder. [Though to be fair, the DSM is used to diagnose, not define, and is used only for people who are disabled by their AS.]
What do you think? Do any of these definitions ring true for you? Are there others you like better? Please add your responses in the comments below.
–Liz
