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Asperger's syndrome: What it is

is diagnosed later than other autistic disorders especially in relation to social interaction problems with which may not be evident until the child attends school.
There are a number of differential diagnoses that preempt Aspergers Disorder such as Pervasive Developmental Disorders or Schizophrenia. Other disorders that could form part of the diagnosis or be considered instead of the diagnosis includes Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and Schizoid Personality Disorder. Aspergers and OCD share similar repetitive behavior patterns although it differs from OCD in that the problems are more to do with social adjustment and development and a restriction in interests rather than behavior patterns. Aspergers differs from Schizoid Personality Disorder in that Aspergers involves more severely impaired social problems.


The diagnostic criteria for Aspergers Disorder according to DSM-IV is attached as an appendix to this paper but it includes aspects such as non-verbal behaviors like failure to maintain eye-contact with another person, failing to show any spontaneity and failing to form appropriate relationships (APA 1994). Other models of the disorder include one from Gilberg (1998) who included delayed development of language as one of the possibilities and an impairment of comprehension; Another by Szatmari et al, (1989) that included being a loner, clumsy social skills and "does not meet criteria for Autistic Disorder. Finally the ICD (part of the World Health Organization) gave brief criteria for Aspergers Disorder that was closely tied to the diagnosis for autism in terms of social interaction and stereotypical behavior.

ANECDOTAL EVIDENCE
One of the biggest problems faced by Asperger children and adults is their difficulty in forging relationships. One of the most public examples of this was in the movie "Roger Dodger" that portrayed a young man with many of Aspergers identifying elements who was having problems maintaining relationships with women. While the movie was more of a comedy and was fictional the premise behind the movie rings true for most Asperger sufferers (Chaisson & Kidd 2002).
Moving to a new school or moving house is particularly traumatic for Asperger children, many of whom will be impacted negatively for months before and after a move. Because they have trouble making new friends they get insecure and will often prefer to live in a negative situation rather than move house. Studies on a twelve year old boy that was taken from his family home by his


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