Asperger’s Syndrome in
Childhood
PSY 441/541
JANNA BAUMGARTNER,
KATIE HOCHSPRUNG,
CONNIE LOGEMAN
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 contact
 aloofness
 the failure to turn when called by name
 the failure to use gestures to point or show
 a lack of interactive play
 a 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
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…
 Possible Causes:
 Suspected Causes:
 Hereditary—Asperger’s often
 Emotional Deprivation in
runs in families.
 Linked to depression
 Associated with bipolar
disorder
 Environmental Factors,
such as chemicals and
pesticides
infancy
 Vaccines
*Both of these suspected causes
have been refuted by extensive
research; however individuals
continue to disagree.
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
Communication Milestones of Typically Developing Children
Vs. Children with Asperger’s Syndrome
Typically Developing
Children
Children with Asperger’s
Syndrome
 Children begin to
 Impaired ability to use
understand forms of
irony around the age of
four
 Eye contact begins in
infancy
 By one year of age,
infants point to and
request objects of
interest
and understand irony
 Restricted Eye Contact
 Lack of sharing interests
and/or enjoyments with
others
About Aspergers….
• Aspergers symptoms are often shown around preschool ages
• At risk for other psychiatric problems including depression,
ADD, schizophrenia, and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
•
have an average IQ or oftentimes above average.
• May become victims of teasing or bullying because of odd
behaviors
• Approximately 1 in 250 individuals display Asperger’s
disorder (80% of them boys)
Treatment/Therapy
 occupational or physical therapy, for children with
sensory integration problems or poor motor coordination
 social skills training, a form of group therapy that teaches
the skills they need to interact more successfully with
other children
 cognitive behavioral therapy, “talk” therapy to manage
emotions
 Medication for co-existing conditions
Everyday Routines
 Calendars, checklists, and notes to let them stay on
schedule- many like routine
 Walk through their daily schedule and what they
need to do
 Giving rewards for accomplishments
 Let the child shine in his or her best subjects
3 Subtypes
 1. “Rule” boys/girls- needs a set of rules to
govern lives
 2. “Logic” boys/girls-needs reason behind
rules; rules alone are not good enough.
 3. “Emotional” boys/girls-based upon
emotions
A Child’s Future with Asperger’s
 Many lead normal, successful lives with effective treatment
 learn to cope with behavior
 personal relationships and social settings will still be a
challenge
 need encouragement and moral support to live an
independent life
 Tends to find a detail-oriented job with limited social
interactions.
Famous People with Asperger’s











Bill Gates
Isaac Newton
Jane Austen
Albert Einstein
Charles Darwin
Dan Aykroyd
Beethoven
Mozart
John Denver
Al Gore
Robin Williams
Video
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=308fVgCVnA0
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 Asperger 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 skills
b. short stature
c. delays in motor development
d. 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
Multiple Choice Questions, Continued
 What is the ratio of boys with Asperger's to girls with




Asperger’s:
a. 2:1
b. 4:1
c. 6:1
d. 8:1