Aspergers Research

http://www.kennethrobersonphd.com/aspergers-syndrome/

Asperger’s Syndrome has received a great deal of attention lately. What used to be viewed as odd, unusual behavior in some children and adults is now recognized as part of a condition that has been widely reported on and discussed in the general media.

However, in some cases important information about Asperger’s Syndrome is not included in the overall discussion. Here are facts that parents, family members, educators, and others interested in Asperger’s should know about this condition.

1. It is Not a Separate Condition

With the publication, in May of 2013, of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual – 5, generally accepted as the authoritative description of mental health conditions, Asperger’s Syndrome no longer exists as a separate disorder. Its place has now been taken by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

This means that officially there is no such thing as Asperger’s. The behaviors that were associated with Asperger’s Syndrome are now understood as caused by autism. The word “Asperger’s” now days is often replaced with the phrase “High Functioning Autism”, since the behaviors are not severe or comprehensive, but it is still the case that the condition is part of autism.

2.      No One Knows What Causes It

The cause(s) of Asperger’s (I will still use that term throughout this article) is still largely a mystery. Research shows that it is connected to early changes in the structure of the brain as it is developing in the fetus and very early in the child’s life.

What causes these changes is not fully understood. One thing that is clear, however, is that heredity places a role in Asperger’s. Studies of identical twins show that when one child has Asperger’s the chances of the other child also having Asperger’s is about 30%. Such a strong association indicates that genes and inheritance are significant causes of Asperger’s.

3. Asperger’s Syndrome is a Developmental Disorder

A developmental disorder is a chronic, severe disability of a person at least 5 years of age that results in substantial limitations in three or more of the following:

• Self-care
• Language
• Learning
• Mobility
• Capacity for independent living
• Economic self-sufficiency (see definition)

Asperger’s Syndrome is present at birth, in most instances, and continues throughout the person’s life-span. It can impact the person’s learning, language, capacity for independent living and self-care skills, although these skills are not always affected.

The main reason it is considered a developmental disorder is because it is a life-long condition and because it has such an important impact on the person’s life.

4. Asperger’s Involves Social Difficulties

People with Asperger’s have trouble understanding what someone else is thinking and feeling. They often need to be taught social behavior that is learned and understood normally by others. They have difficulty understanding communication that isn’t spoken, so called, “non-verbal” communication, such as hand movements, facial expressions and tone of voice.

They often describe themselves as feeling different from most other people. They tend to see the world in black and white, with difficulty compromising or seeing the grey areas. Eye contact is difficult for them. All this adds to their social awkwardness and trouble relating to others.

5. Intelligence Plays No Role in Asperger’s

Unlike classic autism, which often negatively affects the person’s intelligence, people with Asperger’s often nave normal or above-normal intelligence.

An unusual preoccupation with very specific subject matter is characteristic of those with Asperger’s, for instance, extensive knowledge of train schedules, WWII fighter aircraft, or pre-historic dinosaurs. They tend to have a restricted range of things that interest them. Because of their interests and focus, they can succeed in tasks that require a great deal of intelligence.

6. There is No Connection Between Asperger’s and Violence

There is no evidence that people with Asperger’s are any more prone to violent behavior than the general population. They are sometimes diagnosed with other mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, bi-polar disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder, and whatever aggressive, violent behavior they might demonstrate is more likely due to these other conditions than to Asperger’s itself.

According to Professor Elizabeth Laugeson, at UCLA, there is no clear association between Asperger’s and violent behavior. She notes that while there may be a higher rate of aggressive behavior in people with Asperger’s, as there is with autism, planning and intending violent behavior is not characteristic of Asperger’s.

Dr. Kenneth Roberson is an Asperger’s psychologist in San Francisco with over 30 years of experience. 

http://www.aane.org/women-asperger-profiles/

Asperger Profiles: Women and Girls

By Kim Wutkiewicz

ARTICLE

Common Experiences

Women with Asperger profiles are less likely to be diagnosed and more likely to be misdiagnosed for a number of reasons. Additionally, many professionals have been trained to recognize typical Asperger/autism spectrum expression more easily in males than in females. While many professionals and advocates are working hard to change this reality, there is still a long way to go in terms of universal understanding and recognition of the unique gifts and challenges of Asperger women. While the core characteristics of an Asperger profile does not differ between genders, girls and women might demonstrate different outward reactions to the profile. While every girl and women with an Asperger profile is unique, many share certain experiences.

• As a young girl, she may know that she is different, noticing that her interests veer away from those of her peers. She may prefer having only one or two friends, or to play in solitude, having an appreciation of and focus on specific interests.
• She might demonstrate an aversion to what is popular, what is feminine, or what is fashionable. Sensitive to textures, she might prefer to wear comfortable, practical clothing. She might appear naive or immature, as she is out of sync with the trends or the social norms.
• She might work very hard to “camouflage” her social confusion and/or anxiety through strategic imitation, by escaping into nature or fantasy, or by staying on the periphery of social activity.
• She might show different sides of her personality in different settings. “A girl with Asperger’s syndrome may suffer social confusion in silence and isolation in the classroom or playground but she may be a different character at home, the ‘mask’ is removed.” (Tony Attwood). At home, she might be more prone to releasing her bottled up emotions through meltdowns.
• She might be exhausted from the work of deciphering social rules or of imitating those around her to hide her differences.
• She might be anxious in settings where she is asked to perform in social situations. This could lead to mutism, escapism, or a focus on routines and rituals.

Specific Interests

Frequently, women with Asperger profiles, like neurodiverse men, have intense special interests; however, these special interests can follow different sets of themes. Historically, women have been less likely than men to be interested in transportation, computers, or astronomy, and more likely to be passionate about literature, the arts, animals, environmental activism, and other topics with relational themes. That said, when it comes to special interests, anything goes for both genders. There are no limits to the variety and depth of interests or expertise for both females and males with Asperger profiles. As always, these interests are ever-evolving with the times.

Stigma

While many people have fought long and hard to ensure universally accepted gender equality, boys and girls are still often socialized differently in our modern culture. In many places, women are still often expected to place more value on relationships than on hard-skills. Consequently, Asperger females may feel stigmatized in ways that are different than males. One study by Simon Baron-Cohen and Sally Wheelwright found that “women are more likely to enjoy close, empathetic supportive friendships, to like and be interested in people; to enjoy interaction with others for its own sake; and to consider friendships important”1. The gap between societal expectations and personal interests can be greater in females with Asperger profiles than in males with Asperger profiles because societal expectations for a strong social identity traditionally can be higher for females. Females may also have more difficulty in forming friendships because female relationships are frequently based on nuanced emotional and social exchanges, whereas male friendships have historically been more activity-based.2 Like males, females on the Asperger/autism spectrum are likely to have experienced a history of bullying. However, how bullying manifests can tend to take on different characteristics based on gender. No matter how subtle or overt, exclusion and bullying can be profoundly traumatizing affect the self-confidence and sense of security of the target individuals.

Other Related Mental Health Concerns

Women with Asperger profiles can experience co-occurring mood disorders and often internalize feelings of frustration and failure. Starting in adolescence, they have high rates of depression and anxiety — 34 and 36 percent, respectively. A few studies have also found an compelling overlap between autism and eating disorders such as anorexia, although the studies are too small to estimate how many women have both.

Females with ASD’s often develop “coping mechanisms” that can cover up the intrinsic difficulties they experience. They may mimic their peers, watch from the sidelines, use their intellect to figure out the best ways to remain undetected, and they will study, practice, and learn appropriate approaches to social situations. Sounds easy enough, but in fact these strategies take a lot of work and can more often than not lead to exhaustion, withdrawal, anxiety, selective mutism, and depression. – Dr. Shana Nichols

While co-occurrence can factor into the picture, some  women are misdiagnosed with personality disorders: Borderline Personality Disorder, Avoidant Personality Disorder, Schizoid Personality Disorder, for example. It is important to recognize that these diagnoses can sometimes obscure the strengths and struggles of women who have Asperger profiles.

Safety Concerns

Females with Asperger profiles may be at risk for victimization because of the social naiveté associated with ASD. One study of children with developmental disabilities found rates of sexual abuse 1.7 times higher than those in the general population.4  Females with Asperger profiles should work with family, friends, therapists, and coaches to develop clear sets of rules on safety. To explore this topic in greater detail, we recommend Liane Holliday Willey’s book, Safety Skills.

Sexuality

Females with Asperger profiles may perceive their sexuality in varied ways. Due to the numerous taboos around discussion of sexuality among women, females with Asperger profiles rarely have forums for explicit conversation about this topic. Sensory sensitivities can be particularly challenging for females with Asperger profiles. Women with Autism Spectrum diagnoses are frequently put on medications with side effects that lead to reduced sexual arousal. This may lead to more Asperger women perceiving themselves as asexual.

Motherhood

Despite their challenges, many women with Asperger profiles are very successful at parenting. One woman with an Autism Spectrum difference stated that she has more vivid memories of her childhood than her peers and consequently is better able to relate with her child. That said, women with Asperger profiles might struggle with the many executive functioning tasks required of a parent. In addition, women with Asperger profiles may become especially challenged when their children become adolescents, whose social interactions become the primary foci of their lives. Parents on the autism spectrum may feel that they struggle in relating to other children’s parents and at setting up social interactions for their children. They may also feel that parenting with a disability is extremely stigmatized. Parents with Asperger profiles may need support from family, friends, and professionals for help with these challenges.