PSY 441/541

JANNA BAUMGARTNER,

KATIE HOCHSPRUNG,

CONNIE LOGEMAN

Asperger’s Syndrome in Childhood

History

In 1944 an Austrian pediatrician named Hans Asperger observed four children in his practice who appeared normal, but lacked nonverbal communication skills, failed to demonstrate empathy with their peers, and were physically clumsy.

Because his findings were published in German, his findings were not widely known until 1981, when an English doctor named Lorna Wing published a series of case studies of children showing similar symptoms, which she called “Asperger’s” syndrome.

AS became a distinct disease and diagnosis in 1992 when it was included in the World Health Organization’s diagnostic manual

Signs and Symptoms

Most distinguishing symptom of AS is a child’s obsessive interest in a single object or topic to the exclusion of any other.

Their speech may be marked by a lack of rhythm, an odd inflection, or a monotone pitch.

Children with AS are often isolated socially because of their poor social skills and narrow interests.

The usually have a history of developmental delays in motor skills – not mentioned in diagnostic criteria.

Symptoms used in diagnosis

abnormal eye contactaloofnessthe failure to turn when called by namethe failure to use gestures to point or showa lack of interactive playa lack of interest in peers Some of these behaviors may be apparent in the first

few months of a child’s life, or they may appear later. Problems in at least one of the areas of communication and socialization or repetitive, restricted behavior must be present before the age of 3.

How is Asperger’s Different from Autism?

AS is one type of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), along with classic autism, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder. AS is on the milder side.

Severe withdrawal from the rest of the world is characteristic of autism. Children with AS are isolated because of their poor social skills and narrow interests.

A child with Asperger’s experiences no clinically significant delay in cognitive development

Causes/Suspected Causes

Possible Causes: Hereditary—Asperger’s

often runs in families. Linked to depression Associated with bipolar

disorder Environmental Factors,

such as chemicals and pesticides

Suspected Causes: Emotional Deprivation in

infancy Vaccines

*Both of these suspected causes have been refuted by extensive research; however individuals continue to disagree.

Researchers are still investigating the potential causes of Asperger’s Syndrome. Mental Health Experts support that

there can be various factors that may contribute to this disorder…

Diagnosis Process

Physician takes a child’s medical history. Referral to a specialist may be necessary.

A specialist performs testing including:

*Psychological Assessment- tests IQ, learning style, and motor skills

*Communication Assessment- examines speech, language, non-verbal, and non-literal skills

*Psychiatric Examination-evaluates peer relationships and reactions to new situations…also checks for conditions such as anxiety or depression

Typically Developing Children

Children with Asperger’s Syndrome

Children begin to understand forms of irony around the age

of fourEye contact begins in

infancy By one year of age,

infants point to and request objects of

interest

Impaired ability to use and understand irony

Restricted Eye Contact

Lack of sharing interests and/or

enjoyments with others

Communication Milestones of Typically Developing Children

Vs. Children with Asperger’s Syndrome

Statistics

Treatment

A Child’s Future with Asperger’s

References

Healthwise Staff. (2010, April 12). Asperger’s Syndrome. Retrieved from http://www.cigna.ca/healthinfo/zq1008.html#zq1012

KidsHealth. (2011). What Causes Asperger’s Syndrome?. Retrieved from http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/brain/asperger.html

KidsHealth (2011). Diagnosing Asperger’s Syndrome. Retrieved from http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/brain/asperger.html#

Kutscher, Martin, L. (2006). Asperger’s Syndrome Retrieved from http://www.pediatricneurology.com/autism.htm#Asperger’s Syndrome

Living With Aspergers. (2008). The Prevalent Theories. Retrieved from http://www.livingwithaspergers.com/causes-of-asperger-syndrome.html

Moore, Matthew. (2010, Sep 15). Children 'can understand irony from age of four’. Retrieved from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/8004253

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (2011). What is Asberger Syndrome? Retrieved from http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/asperger/detail_asperger.htm

Owens, Robert, E. (2009). Language development, an introduction. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Higher Education, Inc.

Multiple Choice Questions

Which of the following is a characteristic of Asperger’s Syndrome?

a. advanced social skillsb. short staturec. delays in motor developmentd. low I.Q. scores

Multiple Choice Questions, Continued

Which of the following is NOT a possible cause of Asperger’s Syndrome?

A. Hereditary Link B. Vaccinations C. Environmental Factors D. Association to Depression