Autism and Asperger’s Disorder are both classified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV) published by the American Psychiatric Association as Pervasive Development Disorders.
Asperger’s Disorder causes clinically significant impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of functioning. The criteria for diagnosis involves two specific categories.
Qualitative impairment can be evidenced in use of nonverbal behaviours, failure to develop appropriate peer relationships and lack of social or emotional reciprocity. Eye contact, facial expression, postures or gestures are observed by professionals who are charged with making the diagnosis.
Patterns of behaviour which include repetitive and stereotyped interests and activities can occur in preoccupation or intensity of focus, apparent inflexibility regarding routines or rituals, stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms or persistent preoccupation with parts of objects.
Those with Asperger’s Disorder to not have significant general delay in language or cognition, development of age-appropriate self-help sills, adaptive behaviour or curiosity about the environment in childhood.
As a therapist, I have had several opportunities to work with individuals who have been diagnosed with Asperger’s Disorder. I remember many, many years ago when I was working with school personnel to develop an Individual Learning Plan for one of my clients. The teaching staff was very concerned that this child did not interact well with other children during recess and lunch breaks. When I talked with the child about this, he said “Please don’t make me have to go out for recess. I have to put up with those kids all day long”. Obviously, he wasn’t interested in building relationships.
Another client explained to me that he only had one friend in the world. I immediately started to focus on what I thought was a rare “positive” by asking me to tell me about the friend. He gave me a big smile and said “It’s you!”
A was pleased to learn from a wise principal who heard several complaints for students when their peer continually turned the lights off in the lunch room. This professional allowed the “offending” student to have his own lunch room and gave him control of the light switch.
Often those with Asperger’s Disorder have amazing abilities in one or two areas. For example, one might be a concert pianist, mechanical engineer, or computer expert yet, at the same time, not be able to do what we might think are “simple” tasks such as crossing the street or carrying on a conversation with others.
As a psychologist I am required to work with clients to determine whether they fall into categories of “can or can’t” compared with “will or won’t”. My goal is to help individuals to have a good day based on assessment of these.
We all have strengths and weaknesses. Those with Asperger’s Disorder face the same dilemma. The difference is, of course, that society might not understand or have the insight to help them deal with the weaknesses so they, too, can have a good day.
Dr. Linda Hancock is a Registered Psychologist who has a private practice in Medicine Hat. She can be reached at 403-529-6877 or through email linda@drlindahancock.com
Dear Dr. Hancock:
I am involved with a man…50 yrs.plus…who has this syndrome. He is suppose to be a “highly functioning adult”, according to the “professionals”..yet he doesn’t seem to be able to handle or “manage” the basics of life, groceries, or even having a “first aid kit” in his apmt. He’s been an
“artist”, since his “emotional breakdown” when his father died, and yet can’t get the art to “work” for him. He is in need of a “financial consultant”, and “forgets” to buy groceries when he gets his “allowance”…He’d rather “EAT OUT” to be around people but NOT WITH ANYONE! But it’s better than being “alone”…but is supposedly content being by himself. Yet, of course that gets “LONELY”, and now he thinks or feels he should be considering a “companion”, yet doesn’t know if he could be Married since he has only seen “ONE SUCCESSFUL MARRIED COUPLE”, his parents.
Some of the time he appears to be more BIPOLAR than anything else…besides the OCD and the Anxiety and the Depression. Does this all sound “familiar” to you? He appears to be “stand offish”, rude, or insulting, when he feels he has lost control of the situation. He must have control…and can’t stand or tolerate any constructive CRITICISM at all…He gets INSULTED! IT”S EXHAUSTING when at in the afternoon he can be “exciting and adventurous” and then by the time we actually get to the “EVENT” he panics and wants to stay in the car! Then when he finally gets out of the car, he has a GREAT TIME…VICTORY! But it’s all a challenge and a constant battle….IS THIS APSPERGERS? or is the BIPOLAR? I have noticed the pouting face….the folded arms…and the “retreating away” after activities…to the world of fantasy TV and MOVIES…the big escape! He has friends and family…but IS HE EVER GOING TO BE ABLE TO BE IN A MARRIAGE? HE’S IN AND OUT OF LOVE…It’s back and forth…he’s ONE DAY AT A TIME…THEN HE’S PLANNING FOR NEXT MONTH OR NEXT YEAR. HELP! WHERE CAN I GO FOR MORE HELP? Without contacting the family, which right now seems like the best plan, since the Holidays are coming up and he has to travel to visit…guess what? He wants ME to go WITH HIM! Is this for the “USE OF A RIDE”? or is this because he thinks he’s ready for me to meet the sisters, in case I am “THE ONE”……He at least realizes that I have my own grown children, and family, and friends! He has never been married or a parent…so there’s not the real responsibility of those relationships there….just sisters and brothers and nieces and nephews. PLEASE ANSWER and let me know if this is someone who really needs to be UNMARRIED, or I am just NOT THE ONE……
Sincerely,
Roberta
Wow, Roberta, I was reading your post thinking… is she describing MY relationship or what? Did you get any answers?
Thanks,
Ainhoa
Dear Dr. Hancock:
I am a teacher and therapist here in NY. I have been assign a 9th grader who as Asperser’s Disorder. Can you send some tips or call me on whom to work with this disorder. Please call me I would like to know what I should do where opening my own practice.
The queen
Hello:
I apologize for not replying sooner. Have been working on a number of other sites and divisions for my business.
You might want to get my free mini-book for starting your own business at http://www.openforbusinesssuccess.com
I remember working with one little guy in particular. He was so frustrated by the IPP that the professionals had written as it required that he interact with students at recess. His comment to me was “Why do I have to do this? I have to put up with them all day!” Truth comes from the mouths of babes.
Each person with Aspberger’s Disorder usually has one or two things that are amazing! Try to find out what they are and use these as motivation. For example, I had a client who was a concert pianist but couldn’t go anywhere without his mother. I taught him how to cross the street as a start for his dream of going to a university to study music.
Hope this helps.
Linda