by V. Kumar

Created on: May 24, 2008   Last Updated: September 12, 2008

ASPERGER SYNDROME or AS is a developmental behavior disorder marked by inadequacies in social interaction, difficulties in understanding non verbal communication, repetitive behavior, tendency for preoccupation with a narrow subject and somewhat atypical speech. Sometimes it is also associated with other neuro-psychological symptoms.

It is somewhat related to Autism but unlike it, in Asperger Syndrome, the speech is not delayed and intelligence is not significantly impaired. Both AS and Autism belong to a group of somewhat related disorders called 'Autism Spectrum Disorders' or ASD, marked by developmental defects in social behavior, difficulties in communication and restricted interests.

First reported by Austrian pediatrician, Hans Asperger in 1944, who called his child patients little professors' because of his belief that some of them would be capable of exceptional achievements, the identity of this condition was accepted by the medical world in 1980s and 1990s, though latest opinions about the condition is to treat it as a deviant personality and behavior instead of treating it as a disease that needs to be cured.

FEATURES OF ASPERGER SYNDROME

Asperger syndrome can be recognized as early as 30 months, though sometimes it is wrongly diagnosed as Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It is marked by three characteristic features. First and the most characteristic feature is the inability to indulge in effective social interaction with peers. Children afflicted with AS find it very difficult to develop friends and often suffer from isolation and depression. One reason for this is their inability to express and communicate by non-verbal means. They are also unable to empathize with others or to understand their emotions or their feelings towards themselves. Their ability to enjoy humor may also be restricted.

The second characteristics of those with AS is their almost obsessive preoccupation with very narrow interests, wherein they would go into great depth and remember a lot of minor details, sometimes without having a great understanding of the whole. Their routines can be very inflexible. They often have very stereotype and repetitive motor behaviors like hand movements or twists that appear more voluntary than tics. The third characteristic feature of this syndrome is its speech which is typically pedantic, formal and consisting of literal interpretations. There may be abrupt transitions, and understanding of nuances is poor. Sometimes strange metaphors

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