Asperger's syndrome

[ahs´per-gerz]

a pervasive developmental disorder resembling autistic disorder, characterized by severe impairment of social interactions and restricted interests and behaviors, but lacking the delays in development of language, cognitive function, and self-help skills that additionally define autistic disorder; it may be equivalent to a high-functioning form of autistic disorder.

Asperger's syndrome

A condition similar to, but usually less severe than AUTISM, that affects about 1–2 persons in 1000, males more often than females. Affected people, who are normally intelligent, are physically clumsy, have unusual narrow interests and great difficulty in managing social relationships and are often considered simply as eccentric loners. Special training in social skills can be valuable.

Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005

Patient discussion about Asperger's syndrome

Q. My brother has Asperger Syndrome, what should we do? Thank you for your attention! My brother has Asperger Syndrome, which is also known as very high function autism. As he has grown, he has become intelligent, and he is a fully functional boy. He plays his video games, does his homework, very social, and he is a normal boy. Yeah, he may seem a bit weird (like he may talk to himself, and be loud) but he’s fully functional. He is in the 8th grade, today my mother went to an interview for his high school future. The lady wants to put him with the autistic children!?! I want him to go to basic a class that’s the lowest and easiest level, but my mom is upset, and we are worried they won't let him....what should we do?

A. it is an uneasy problem. i understand your point of view- putting him in a regular classroom can boost his development and putting him in a special classroom can cause a retardation in development. but i also understand your mother, children can be very cruel. he can get harassed and bullied and that will cause a problem too. but you can avoid that by confronting the class before he enters it and explain the situation.

Q. What is asperger`s syndrome? what is asperger`s syndrome and how is it linked to Autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) or pervasive developmental disorder (PDD)?

A. Let me make it clear that PDD and ASD are same and autism is one of its types. Other types of PDD or ASD are asperger`s syndrome, Childhood disintegrative disorder, Rett's syndrome, Pervasive development disorder not otherwise specified (PDDNOS). They all have almost similar symptoms with some major differences so they are named differently. Like in asperger`s syndrome, it’s a milder form of autism. Here a child gets obsessive for one thing and excels in it to a good level as they don’t have delay in language and cognitive development. They do face problems in social interaction.

Q. What is the difference between Asperger's Syndrome and Autism? My 3 year old nephew has been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome. Is this the same as Autism?

A. Here is a video which explains about Asperger's Syndrome, which might help you understand the difference between that and autism:
http://www.5min.com/Video/What-is-Asperger-Syndrome-6213

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