INTRODUCTION TO ASPERGER'S & AUTISM
This autism fact sheet is under copyright www.autism-help.org; Reprinted with permission from Indiana
Resource Center Autism. www.irca.org
Both Autism and Asperger's syndrome are increasingly referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorders, in that
they cause delays in typical development of a child across a broad range of areas. Asperger's syndrome is
at the milder end of this spectrum. These disorders begin in early childhood and continue through to adult
life. They affect three crucial areas of development, which are sometimes referred to as the triad of
impairments:
• Verbal and nonverbal communication
• Social interaction
• Imaginative or creative play.
AUTISM
Autism is a brain development disorder that impairs social interaction and communication, and causes
restricted and repetitive behaviors, all starting before a child is three years old. This set of signs
distinguishes autism from milder Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) such as Asperger syndrome.
ASPERGERS SYNDROME
Asperger syndrome (also Asperger's syndrome, Asperger's disorder, Asperger's, or AS) is one of several
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) also characterized by difficulties in social interaction and by restricted and
stereotyped interests and activities. Aspergers syndrome is different in that there is no general delay in
language or cognitive development. Although not mentioned in standard diagnostic criteria, motor
clumsiness and atypical use of language are frequently reported.[1][2]
THE AUTISM SPECTRUM
Signs of Asperger's syndrome and Autism usually will appear in the first three years of a child's life, although
there is no exact age for when signs of these disorders will emerge. These signs may differ between
children in type and severity as well, so Autism, Asperger's syndrome and similar disorders are often seen
as occurring on a spectrum.
These disorders are not intellectual disabilities or mental illnesses, or caused by poor parenting skills.
Currently Asperger's and Autism cannot be diagnosed at birth through means such as blood tests or brain
scans. Diagnosis occurs as delays are observed in the child's development, typically at two years of age
although some researchers are arguing for earlier diagnosis.
TYPICAL INDICATORS OF AUTISM & ASPERGER'S SYNDROME
These disorders will cause delays in a child's early development, with possible early signs, or indicators,
from these groups:
Social skills
Cannot carry out simple instructions
Does not maintain eye contact or smile back to others
Appears happy in their own world, with little interest in others
Delays to normal development of speech
Responding to some sounds, but not human voices
Behavior
Difficulty coping with changes to routines
Self-injuring behavior
Emotional outbursts with no apparent cause, or overly passive
Overly attached to certain objects or topics
Repetitive or ritualistic behavior such as rocking or flapping of the hands
Sensory issues
Strong reaction to certain sounds
Will not look at objects directly
Insensitivity to pain, or extremes of temperature
Eating a very restricted range of food types
Walking on tip toes
Drawn to watching certain patterns or feeling certain textures.
Play and imagination
Will only play with certain toys, possibly in unusual ways
Prefers not to play with others
Engages in only a limited range of play
Does not engage in pretend play.
REFERENCES
1. ^ American Psychiatric Association (2000). "Diagnostic criteria for 299.80 Asperger's Disorder
(AD)", Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed., text revision (DSM-IV-TR). ISBN
0890420254.
2. ^ a b c d e f g Fitzgerald M, Corvin A (2001). "Diagnosis and differential diagnosis of Asperger
syndrome". Adv Psychiatric Treat 7 (4): 310–8.