Asperger's Syndrome
Gillberg's Criteria for Asperger's Disorder
1. Severe impairment in reciprocal social interaction
(at least two of the following):
- inability to interact with peers
- lack of desire to interact with peers
- lack of appreciation of social cues
- socially and emotionally inappropriate behavior
2. All-absorbing narrow interest (at least one of the following):
- exclusion of other activities
- repetitive adherence
- more rote than meaning
3. Imposition of routines and interests (at least one of the following):
- on self, in aspects of life
- on others
4. Speech and language problems (at least three of the following):
- delayed development
- superficially perfect expressive language
- formal, pedantic language
- odd prosody, peculiar voice characteristics
- impairment of comprehension including misinterpretations of literal/implied meanings
5. Non-verbal communication problems (at least one of the following)
- limited use of gestures
- clumsy/gauche body language
- limited facial expression
- inappropriate expression
- peculiar, stiff gaze
6. Motor clumsiness: poor performance on neurodevelopmental examination
- Yes
- No
Diagnostic Process
- It varies from professional to professional. Some use tests, and some use play and relatively informal conversations.
- Once information is collected, the diagnoses is made using criteria of the spectrum.
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
The DSM outlines the specific behaviours and problems associated with each condition
- Divided into categories
- AS falls into the Pervasive Developmental Disorders category which contains five specific conditions
- AS: meets criteria in Deficits in reciprocal social interaction and restricted, repetitive behaviour, interests and activities.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV)
A. Qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least two of the following:
- marked impairment in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviours such as eye-to eye gaze, facial expression, body postures, and gestures to regulate social interaction
- failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level
- lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or achievements with other people (e.g., by a lack of showing, bringing, or pointing out objects of interest to other people)
- lack of social or emotional reciprocity
B. Restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behaviour, interests, and activities, as manifested by at least one of the following:
- encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity of focus
- apparently inflexible adherence to specific, non-functional routines or rituals
- stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g., hand or finger flapping or twisting, or complex whole-body movements)
- persistent preoccupation with parts of objects
C. The disturbance causes clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
D. There is no clinically significant general delay in language e.g., single words used by age two years, communicative phrases used by age three years).
E. There is no clinically significant delay in cognitive development or in the development of age-appropriate self-help skills, adaptive behavior (other than in social interaction), and curiosity about the environment in childhood.
F. Criteria are not met for another specific pervasive developmental disorder or schizophrenia.
Diagnosis
Video
Asperger's Syndrome: In their own words
Characteristics
What does this mean for the classroom?
1. Social/Communication
- Difficulty with Reciprocal Social Interactions
- Impairments in Language Skills
2. Behavioural
- Narrow Range of Interests and Insistence on Set Routines
- Sensory Sensitivities
It's important to note that, unlike kids with autism, those with AS might show no delays in language development; they usually have good grammatical skills and an advanced vocabulary at an early age. However, they typically do exhibit a language disorder they might be very literal and have trouble using language in a social context.
Often there are no obvious delays in cognitive development or in age-appropriate self-help skills such as feeding and dressing themselves. Although kids with AS can have problems with attention span and organization, and have skills that seem well developed in some areas and lacking in others, they usually have average and sometimes above-average intelligence.
3. Cognitive Issues
History
1940
Hans Asperger, a Viennese paediatrician, first described a set of behaviour patterns apparent in some of his patients, mostly males. Asperger noticed that although these boys had normal intelligence and language development, they had severely impaired social skills, were unable to communicate effectively with others, and had poor coordination.
1981
Dr Lorna Wing, while researching autism, found Asperger’s written work and furthered research on the disorder.
Hans Asperger
Power Cards
Name That Emotion!
Asperger's Disorder
Strategies
What is it?
Double click anywhere & add an idea
Presenters:
Asperger’s Disorder is an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) that inhibits a person’s ability to function in society. While individuals with AS may exhibit a range of symptoms to different degrees, a common characteristic is a significant impairment in social interaction.
Priming
Danelle Mondor, Callista Szachury, Katherine Shepherd and Megan Tokaruk
Purposes:
- To increase competence
- To familiarize child with the material
- To decrease frustration/anxiety
- To allow student exploration
Also known as...
Asperger's Syndrome (AS) or Asperger Syndrome
Causes
- The cause of Asperger's Disorder has not been directly identified.
- Approximately 5 in 1000 Canadians have this disorder.
Autism Spectrum
Learning Needs
1. Behavior
- Sensory Sensistivity
- Self Regulation
- Fixations
Emotional Charades!
2. Attention and Focusing Issues
Local Resources
- Structured Classroom
- Transitions
- Set Routines
Autism Resource Centre
3. Social Interaction/Communication Skills
- Provides individualized assessments (post-diagnosis), programming, transition planning, support, social skills groups, music therapy, spring and winter programs, advocacy and public awareness.
Box 4751, 2941 Lakeview Avenue, REGINA, SK S4P 3Y4
Phone: (306) 569-0858 Fax: (306) 569-0889
E-mail: arcentre@sasktel.net
Website: www.autismresourcecentre.com/
- Mindblindness
- Socially naïve
- Concrete language skills
http://www.health.gov.sk.ca/autism-resources
Ministry of Health Website:
4. Academics
- Lack of organization and planning skills
- Exceptional memory skills
- Range of different learning styles
- Poor Motor Coordination
Visuals
http://www.setbc.org/pictureset/category.aspx?id=6