Asperger Syndrome Research Paper

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What is Asperger Syndrome?
Asperger Syndrome was first described in Vienna in the 1940s by a pediatrician named Hans Asperger. He first observed the symptoms in several boys of ‘normal’ intelligence who simultaneously showed signs of autistic behavior. Others used the term ‘high-functioning autism’ to describe them, seeing the condition as a milder form of the developmental disorder. Asperger Syndrome wasn’t officially recognized until 1994, when it was added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. (Autism Society) Unfortunately, according to the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy [AAMFT], “The exact cause is unknown, but experts believe it is a complex condition involving multiple genetic and environmental …show more content…

As was mentioned above, they do not lag behind in cognitive development, which includes the fact that they develop language skills at the same general rate as a neurotypical child. Michael Fitzgerald and Aiden Corvin, two Irish psychiatrists, note that their speech is pedantic, often with unusual or nonexistent inflection, and may show problems with prosody (Fitzgerald and Corvin).
Despite the abovementioned shortcomings, those affected by Asperger Syndrome usually have certain gifts. AngelSense states that “These children also tend to have unique abilities including impressive attention to detail, dedicated work ethic, excellent verbal skills and high intelligence” (AngelSense). The Autism Society, one of the United States’ leading websites in autism research, also points out that they can show powerful skills in rote memory (Autism Society). These gifts can lead to a strong presence in the mainstream workforce, where many Aspies can end up, given the correct …show more content…

Certain therapies and specialized education services can help immensely with the development of necessary social skills (ASpEN). However, those seeking help for a child or other such family member with Asperger Syndrome should be incredibly careful in selecting the services they will receive. Temple Grandin, an animal science professor with Asperger Syndrome, stresses that “Teaching social skills is very important, but if the person with autism is stripped of all their special interests, they may lose meaning in life” (Grandin, pg. 36). Considering this, one should not attempt to restrain an Aspie’s particular interest but should encourage the extensive research they may do in order to know everything about the topic. This could serve to prepare them for a job in the

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