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symptoms until after the age of three years old although some newborns may be categorized as autistic in the period up to three years old (Attwood, 1998). Some studies have indicated that one child in 250-10,000 may be a suggestive range but the huge disparity between various surveys suggests that there is no conclusive figure currently available (Fesnon, Dale, Reznick & MacArthur, 1993). One large population study in Sweden suggested the figure may be closer to one child in 300 live births, and although these figures may differ in other countries, there is a recent indication that the prevalence of Aspergers may be higher than previously thought. Issues impacting the figure include the diverse range of symptoms that are considered typical of Aspergers and the high number of children that may be misdiagnosed because of their unique pattern of symptomology (Attwood, 1998).

Mortality/Morbidity
While Aspergers Disorder is not life threatening there have been instances where young teens and early adults with the disorder have succumbed to other mental disorders such as depression or obsessive-compulsive disorders that can lead to suicide. Specific figures on this issue though have not been conclusively determined (Fujikawa, Kobayashi & Koga, 1987; Ghaziuddin, Alessi & Greden, 1995).
Sex and race
Most Asperger Disorders affect male children. The ratio of females to males with the disorder is considered 1:4. There are no racial predispositions to the disorder.

DSM-IV Diagnosis
The following passages have been paraphrased directly from the DSM-IV on Aspergers Disorder Diagnostic Features (APA, 1994):
There are six essential features of Aspergers Disorder
1. Severe and sustained impairment in social interaction
2. The development of restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests and activities
3. The disorder must cause clinically significant social, occupational or other developmental problems
4. There are no clinical delays in language development
5. There are no clinical delays in cognitive development or age-appropriate self-help skills, adaptive behavior and curiosity about environment in childhood.
6. The diagnosis is not given if the criteria are met for any other specific Pervasive Developmental Disorder or for Schizophrenia (APA 1994)
Other factors mentioned in the DSM-IV is the fact that the disorder is more prevalence in males and that it is possible that there is some familial pattern to the disorder (more than one family member might have it). Aspergers

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