Aspergers Syndrome

(now referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder)

Ariel Ellis, Melissa Filice, Gemma Minetti

Historical Perspective
1944- Dr. Hans Asperger noticed children with
average intelligence having difficulty socially
1981- Dr. Aspergers findings were published by
Lorna Wing
1992- Aspergers syndrome was added to
International Classification of Diseases
1994- added to DSM-IV

DSM Labels Over Time for ASD

Edition I (1952)- Schizophrenic Reaction, Childhood Type
Edition II (1968) - Schizophrenia, Childhood Type
Edition III (1980) - Infantile Autism
Edition III-R (1987) - Autistic Disorder

Previous Thinking for Asperger's

Classifications vary by state and category
Autism
Speech and Language Impaired
Other Health Impairment
Noncategorical Disability Umbrella

Four Main Categories- DSM- IV

Autistic disorder
Aspergers disorder
Childhood disintegrative disorder
Pervasive developmental disorder not
otherwise specified

DSM- 5
Eliminated autism related categories
Now all categories are labeled autism
spectrum disorder
More medical and scientific ways of diagnosing
Must show symptoms from early childhood
Encourages early diagnosis

Primary Symptoms
Symptoms can vary in degree and presence:
difficulties with social interactions
inappropriateness, difficulties with nonverbal communication,
gestures, and facial expressions
repetitive or monotone speech
one-sided conversations
failure to understand sarcasm, humor, or non-literal phrases
difficulty understanding emotion
obsessions with one or more specific topics, routines, or rituals
NO delayed language development

Average to superior intelligence

Dr. Sheldon CooperAspergers?

Comorbid Symptoms & Disorders

Aspergers:
Anxiety
Depression
OCD
Tic Disorders
(Tourette's)

Oppositional Defiant Disorder

touchy or easily annoyed, loses temper, angry,

noncompliance

ADHD

inattentiveness, distractibility, impulsivity

might be diagnosed first

Comorbid Symptoms & Disorders

Autism Spectrum Disorder:
4 out of 5 children with ASD have at least 1 other condition
40 to 60% have intellectual disabilities
The greater the autism severity the more likely the child will have
somatic complaints, mood disturbance, and social problems
More prone to specific gastrointestinal symptoms.
abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea.

Neuropsychological Factors

Fishman (2014) found overactivation in neurological connections in

children with ASD when compared to typical children in 2 brain networks
involved in social processing:

Mentalizing system: [theory of mind] helps a person infer what others are thinking,
their beliefs and intentions
Mirror neuron system: helps people understand the meaning and actions of another
by replicating them.
Greater the differences in neural connectivity the more severe social skills problems.
Abnormal social development of children with ASD may lead to connectivity differences not
the other way around.

Overproduction of proteins

Causes
Not a lot is known about what
causes ASD.

Genetics
Genetic mutations
(doesnt necessarily
run in the family)
200-400 genes
Older parents
Vaccines??
Ted Talk with Geneticist
Wendy Chung
1:35 (2:50) - 5:40

Prevalence
Autism Spectrum Disorder:

Aspergers Syndrome:

1 in 68 children

very little research on prevalence

Males outnumber females 5 to 1

.024 percent to .36 percent

Possibly higher rates of ASD in

.03 to 4.84 per 1,000

non-Hispanic black children and

Hispanic Children
Autism outnumbers Aspergers 5 to 1

Developmental Course
There is no cure for ASD.
Problems with socialization
and communication continue
into adulthood.
Early diagnosis/intervention is
key to increase possibility of
independence.
0-55 sec 4:15-end

School-Related Problems
Academically Aspergers = Typical Students
Problems with social interactions
Do not understand social cues
Rejection
Peers
Teachers
Negative behaviors removal from class

Assessment
Multidisciplinary approach needed
Assessments
ADI-R
ADOS
CARS
GARS-2
Coutuer, Haden, & Hammal, 2008

Diagnosis
ASD diagnosis based on behaviors not medical testing
Specialists can reliably diagnose at 2 years
Increase in diagnoses
increase in prevalence or effective screening?
must have average intelligence and language development

Interventions & Treatment

Communication between teachers and parents
Daily Journal
Teach and Explain Social Cues and Skills
Aid
Routine Reminders
Behavior Plan
Medication

What do you think of the change

from the DSM-IV to the DSM-5 in
eliminating Aspergers?

The End