Asperger's Syndrome Symptoms & Diagnosis

Symptoms

Symptoms usually become noticeable around 2-½ or 3 years of age. Symptoms may range from mild to severe and can include:

Difficulty interacting with others
Trouble making friends
Poor understanding of other people's feelings
Insensitivity to social cues and facial expressions
Inappropriate social and emotional responses
Preoccupation with one's own world
Not sharing enjoyment, interests, or achievements with others
Following repetitive routines or rituals
Difficulty with any changes in routine or schedule
Single mindedness
Limited interests, usually one or two subjects
Repeating words or phrases over and over
Intense interest in a few topics
Good rote memory without understanding the information
Limited verbal skills or using words in odd ways
Difficulty imagining things or thinking abstractly
Taking things very literally
Focusing on small details and having trouble seeing the bigger picture
Ability to read without understanding the words
Problems with nonverbal communication
Poor eye contact
Few facial expressions, except for anger or unhappiness
Impaired body posturing or use of gestures
Clumsy movements
Hand flapping
Poor coordination
Inflexibility or trouble accepting change
Difficulty accepting loss or criticism
Obsessive desire to finish any tasks that are started

Diagnosis

There are no tests for Asperger syndrome. The diagnosis is based on observations of the child's behavior. Neuropsychological and IQ tests may be given. Medical tests may be ordered to help rule out other conditions. Children and their families can benefit from early intervention. Knowing what is wrong also helps families understand why the child acts differently than other children.

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2012 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.

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Empowered

Asperger’s syndrome, also known as Asperger’s disorder is referred to by some people as a higher-functioning form of autism.

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Asperger’s syndrome and high-functioning autism are not the same, but they do have similar qualities.

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There are always children, adolescents and adults who stand out from the crowd. This doesn’t mean something is mentally wrong with them, but for some people, a neurological disorder may ...

View Comments daquilajmd commented 24 weeks ago.

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Impacted 1 Lives By Rheyanne Weaver HERWriter on March 23, 2010 - 1:03am
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Supporter

Asperger's Syndrome is finally moving into the spotlight. Questions that have perplexed Asperger's (AS) and neurotypical (NT) family members alike are now finding answers.

View Comments joyzfree commented 1 week ago.

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Dr. Volkmar shares the symptoms associated with Asperger's syndrome.

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Dr. Volkmar describes the tests used to diagnose Asperger's syndrome.

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