Learning Difficulties: Conditions

Asperger Syndrome

The following description comes from articles by Paul Smith, Rosemary Walker and Andrew Osmond. Asperger's Syndrome, also known as Asperger Disorder or Autistic Psychopathy, is a Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) characterized by severe and sustained impairment in social interaction, development of restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, and activities. These characteristics result in clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

In contrast to Autistic disorder (Autism), there are no clinically significant delays in language or cognition or self help skills or in adaptive behavior, other than social interaction.

Asperger Syndrome sufferers do no tend to have the severe language or learning difficulties associated with autism. In fact many Asperger have excellent academic records. But they tend to become frustrated by their inability to conform to ‘normal’ standards, and social isolation may result, with attendant feelings of intolerance, antagonism and hostility. They have trouble reading other people’s expressions and body-language, appearing rude or gauche. Their own language and gestures, meanwhile, seem stilted and unnatural.

For a short (two-minute) video entitled ÔWhat is Asperger SyndromeÕ, see http://www.5min.com/Video/What-is-Asperger-Syndrome-6213

For a detailed description of Asperger Syndrome, please see the website of OASIS, Online Asperger Syndrome Information and Support http://www.udel.edu/bkirby/asperger/

Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD)

The National Autistic Society of Great Britain describes autism as follows :
Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorder NOS (not otherwise specified) are developmental disabilities that share many of the same characteristics.

Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects the way a person communicates and relates to people around them. Children and adults with autism are unable to relate to others in a meaningful way. Their ability to develop friendships is impaired as is their capacity to understand other people's feelings. People with autism can often have accompanying learning disabilities but everyone with the condition shares a difficulty in making sense of the world. For more information about autism see http://www.oneworld.org/autism_uk/

A diagnosis of autism is made when an individual displays 8 of 16 symptoms listed across three major areas: social interaction, communication, and restricted repertoire of activities and interests. When a child displays similar behaviors but with fewer than 8 of the 16 symptoms, professionals may make a diagnosis of Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified.

Autism is one of the disabilities specifically defined in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in the USA. IDEA defines autism as “a developmental disability significantly affecting verbal and nonverbal communication and social interaction, usually evident before age three, that adversely affects a child’s educational performance. Other characteristics often associated with autism are engagement in repetitive activities and stereotyped movements, resistance to environmental change or change in daily routines, and unusual responses to sensory experiences.”

Autism and PDD occur in approximately 10 to 15 per 10,000 births these disorders are four times more common in boys than in girls.