| The developmental disorder known as Asperger's | | | | People with AS sometimes excel in a field that |
| Syndrome (AS) affects how the individual's brain | | | | they become obsessive about. They usually enjoy |
| processes information. Its symptoms may | | | | academics and enjoy vocational success. They |
| manifest themselves during early childhood and | | | | typically have normal to high IQ, with extensive |
| can affect a child's social, emotional and | | | | vocabulary. They usually have excellent factual |
| communication skills, and the child's behavior. The | | | | memory for the particular topic they enjoy. |
| syndrome is a lifelong condition that has no known | | | | Employees who have AS are usually dedicated |
| cure. There can be improvements made in the | | | | and committed to their job as long as they work |
| quality of life through social training, interventions, | | | | in a supportive environment. They usually have a |
| therapy and medications. The symptoms of | | | | very strong drive to excel at work. |
| Asperger's Syndrome can range from mild to | | | | Because Asperger's Syndrome is not a disease |
| severe. No two kids both with Asperger's | | | | there is no recovery from it, nor can someone |
| Syndrome will have the same symptoms. | | | | "catch" it from someone who has it. As the |
| Most individuals who have AS are labeled as "odd" | | | | individual with AS ages they learn how to cope |
| or as "eccentric". Symptoms especially in children | | | | with the symptoms and therefore the symptoms |
| can be similar to kids with autism except that | | | | begin to lessen. |
| children with AS have normal to excellent | | | | There is no known cause for Asperger's |
| language and cognitive skills. | | | | Syndrome although it appears to run in families |
| Common symptoms of Asperger's Syndrome | | | | and a link to autism also in most families with |
| are: | | | | Asperger's Syndrome. It appears that Asperger's |
| Extreme difficulties making friends | | | | Syndrome can be inherited. There are some |
| Preference for playing with adults, older kids or | | | | theories that Asperger's Syndrome may occur |
| kids younger than they are | | | | during fetal development, or as a result of a |
| A literal interpretation of everything being said | | | | possible viral infection before or soon after birth. |
| Not being able to understand the rules of behavior | | | | Once a suspicion that something is "different" |
| Not be able to understand the feelings of others | | | | about a child, a doctor can initiate assessments, |
| or to have empathy with the feelings of others | | | | evaluations, and tests that can determine a |
| Aggression and anger when things don't go their | | | | diagnosis. Social and emotional abilities, |
| way | | | | communication skills, movement skills, and learning |
| A need for routine and great difficulty accepting | | | | abilities and be determined. |
| change | | | | Individuals with Asperger's Syndrome have really |
| A Narrow field of interest or obsession with one | | | | good rote memory but difficulty with social, |
| topic | | | | emotional and communication skills. They are |
| Appearing Odd or eccentric | | | | often told that they are different, odd or even |
| Positive Attributes of Asperger's Syndrome | | | | eccentric. |