What is Asperger Syndrome (AS)? That seems a simple question, but you will find the description expressed in a variety of ways in a variety of places. On our site we have attempted to provide you with clearly worded definitions and words of wisdom we've found from other sites, as well as the technical criteria used for diagnosis. We suggest you take time to read through several explanations of AS; the links on other pages in this section will help lead you to further information.

National Institutes of Health: "People with Asperger Syndrome have autism-like problems in areas of social interaction and communication, but have normal intelligence and verbal skills.

Asperger Syndrome is an autism spectrum disorder, a group of conditions that include autism and other disorders with similar symptoms, such as problems with language and communication, and repetitive or restrictive patterns of thoughts and behavior. It is usually thought to be the mildest of the autism spectrum disorders." (www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/asperger_syndrome.cfm)

National Institutes of Health: "One of the most distinct symptoms of Asperger Syndrome is having an obsessive interest in a single object or topic—often so much so that the person ignores other objects, topics, or thoughts.

Those with Asperger Syndrome tend to have good vocabularies and grammar skills. But they usually have other language problems, such as being very literal and having trouble understanding non-verbal communications, such as body language.

Other symptoms of Asperger syndrome may include:

• Obsessive or repetitive routines and rituals
• Motor-skill problems, such as clumsy or uncoordinated movements and delays in motor skills
• Social-skill problems, especially related to communicating with others
• Sensitivity to sensory information, such as light, sound, texture, and taste" (www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/asperger_syndrome.cfm)

I certainly wouldn't want people to think that just one definition of autism or Asperger syndrome was sufficient but if I could explain it in just one sentence it would be as follows: Autistic people have to understand scientifically what non-autistic people already understand instinctively." (www.aspergersyndrome.org/)

*Marc Segar was a young man with Asperger Syndrome. His personal insight is a non-medical, but interesting, addition as "food for thought" about treatment.

Diagnostic Criteria For 299.80 Asperger's Disorder
A. Qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least two of the following:

1. marked impairments in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, body postures, and gestures to regulate social interaction
2. failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level
3. a lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or achievements with other people (e.g. by a lack of showing, bringing, or pointing out objects of interest to other people)
4. lack of social or emotional reciprocity

B. Restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, and activities, as manifested by at least one of the following:

1. encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus
2. apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals
3. stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g., hand or finger flapping or twisting, or complex whole-body movements)
4. persistent preoccupation with parts of objects

C. The disturbance causes clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning

D. There is no clinically significant general delay in language (e.g., single words used by age 2 years, communicative phrases used by age 3 years)

E. There is no clinically significant delay in cognitive development or in the development of age-appropriate self-help skills, adaptive behavior (other than social interaction), and curiosity about the environment in childhood

F. Criteria are not met for another specific Pervasive Developmental Disorder or Schizophrenia