Asperger’s Syndrome

Asperger’s syndrome is a developmental disorder that affects how the brain processes information. It shapes a person’s social, emotional and communication skills, and behaviours. Asperger's syndrome usually becomes obvious during childhood and remains throughout life, with varying degrees of disability. Unlike autism, speech is not delayed or impaired – conversely, children with this disorder have good language and verbal skills. They also have normal to high intelligence. However, they do have significant problems socialising and communicating effectively with others. The signs and symptoms of Asperger’s syndrome may include some of the following characteristics:

• Difficulty in forming friendships.
• A preference for playing alone or with older children and adults.
• Apparently good language skills, but difficulty with communication. Language may be considered to be very advanced or ‘precocious’ when compared to their peers. The person may be able to talk extensively on a topic of interest, but have difficulty with more practical tasks such as recounting the day’s events, telling a story, or understanding jokes and sarcasm.
• A lack of appreciation that communication involves listening as well as talking. For instance, they may not allow their communication partner an opportunity to engage in the conversation.
• A very literal understanding of what has been said. For example, when asked to ‘get lost’ (go away) a person with Asperger syndrome will likely become confused and may literally try to ‘get lost’.
• Inability to understand the rules of social behaviour, the feelings of others and difficulty ‘reading’ body language. For example, a person with Asperger syndrome may not understand that someone is showing that they are unhappy by frowning.

• Impairment or deficits in executive functions including processes like working memory, planning, cognitive flexibility, and inhibitory control. 

• Behaviour varies from mildly unusual, eccentric or ‘odd’ to quite aggressive and difficult.
• Having rules and rituals that they insist all family members follow.
• Can display anger and aggression when things do not happen as they want.
• Sensitivite to criticism.
• A narrow field of interests. For example a person with Asperger syndrome may focus on learning all there is to know about cars, trains or computers.

Helping a child with Asperger's Syndrome
At Brain & Language Connections, we offer a range of early intervention services (see Autism Clinic), as well as our unique About Face! Social Skills™ and About Face! Teenagers™ programs designed to improve social, communication and conversation skills in children and adolescents with Asperger's Syndrome. The Fast ForWord® program is another intervention that has been shown to help children with autism and Asperger’s Syndrome reach their potential. Cogmed Working Memory Training is also offered for those individuals who have deficits in executive functions including processes like working memory and attention.