Learning Disabilities and Asperger's Syndrome - Page 2

More about Asperger's Syndrome

By definition, children with AS are of average to above-average intelligence, and some (not all) demonstrate truly extraordinary pockets of skill and knowledge. While they are often able to "fit in" to their peer group because of their intelligence, they struggle because of their social naivete and are often viewed as being eccentric or odd and are therefore frequently considered an easy target for teasing and bullying. Also noted about children with AS are tendencies to turn away from a person while speaking to them (gaze avoidance) rather than face a person and to not know how to initiate or sustain conversation in a relaxed and socially-inviting and reciprocal ("taking turns") manner.

If one was to compare AS to autism and more severe disorders on the autistic spectrum, one would find that in AS:

• The onset of symptoms is usually later (autism is almost always apparent before age two, while the signs of AS can be subtle and in some cases remain undiagnosed throughout the elementary school grades);
• Overall outcomes for children with AS are generally more positive, meaning that they often benefit from special education and behavioral therapies in ways that make it possible for them to marry and care for children, sustain independent social relationships and engage in competitive employment;
• Social and communication deficits are less severe;
• Verbal abilities are usually more highly developed than performance abilities (in autism, the case is usually the reverse);
• A family history of AS, or similar types of disorder, and ;
• Fewer co-occurring neurological disorders are also present.

A Life-long Challenge

As is the case with LD, Asperger's Syndrome is not something that is outgrown or that disappears over time. But like LD, many of the challenges faced by individuals with AS can be lessened and even overcome given specific types of therapy. Carefully designed programs of remediation and support that focus on teaching social and pragmatic skills have been shown to be effective, and anxiety and features of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder can often be treated with a combination of medical intervention and therapeutic support.

Some Reading and Resources 

• The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) is a government-funded program that supports research and publishes resources on Asperger's Syndrome and other neurological disorders. See this fact sheet on AS for a history of the disorder, an overview of diagnostic criteria, and a listing of organizations that focus on providing information and support on AS.

• The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) is another government agency that was initially established to investigate the broad aspects of human development as a means of understanding developmental disabilities. The NICHD conducts and supports research on all stages of human development, from preconception to adulthood, to better understand the health of children, adults, families, and communities.

• Living with Asperger's Syndrome is a candid, first hand account by a teenager about her memories of growing up with Asperger's Syndrome. A wide range of valuable information on Asperger's Syndrome, Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorder can be found on
• MAAP offers services for Autism and Asperger's Syndrome Web site.

• The Autism Society of America (ASA) is a formative resource for the autism community in supporting education, advocacy, services, research and support. They offer information about autism spectrum disorders (including Asperger's Syndrome) for educators and families, and maintain a network of chapters, members and supporters who can seek help and share their journey via the Web site.

• Genius May Be an Abnormality: Educating Students with Asperger's Syndrome, or High Functioning Autism is an article written by Dr. Temple Grandin, a faculty member at Colorado State University and a well-known and highly accomplished person who is living with an autistic spectrum disorder.

• Asperger's Syndrome: Guidelines for Treatment and Intervention (pdf) is a downloadable guide written by Dr. Ami Klin, Dr. Fred R. Volkmar, both of the Yale Child Study Center in New Haven, Connecticut.