Asperger's Syndrome

From WikiMD.org
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Asperger's Syndrome (pronounced: /ˈæspərɡərz/), also known as Asperger Disorder or simply Asperger's, is a type of pervasive developmental disorder which is classified as part of the Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Etymology

The syndrome is named after the Austrian pediatrician Hans Asperger who, in 1944, studied and described children in his practice who lacked nonverbal communication skills, demonstrated limited empathy with their peers, and were physically clumsy.

Definition

Asperger's Syndrome is characterized by difficulties in social interaction and nonverbal communication, alongside restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior and interests. It differs from other Autism Spectrum Disorders by its relative preservation of linguistic and cognitive development.

Symptoms

Individuals with Asperger's Syndrome may exhibit a range of symptoms and the extent of the symptoms can vary from mild to severe. Common symptoms include:

  • Difficulty with social interactions
  • Obsessive interests
  • Repetitive behaviors
  • Problems with non-verbal communication
  • Lack of empathy
  • Physically clumsy

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome can be difficult due to the wide range of symptoms that may be present. It is often diagnosed later in children than autism and sometimes symptoms may not be recognized and diagnosed until adulthood.

Treatment

While there is no cure for Asperger's Syndrome, the symptoms can be managed with a combination of behavioral therapy, social skills training, and medication.

Related Terms

External links

Esculaap.svg

This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.


Languages: - East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski