Vorpahl
Psychology
Associates, LLC
Psychology
Associates, LLC
Psychotherapy Counseling Parenting Individuals Groups Teens Children Adults
Asperger's Disorder
Definition: Asperger Syndrome or (Asperger's Disorder) is a neurobiological disorder named for a Viennese physician, Hans Asperger, who in 1944 published a paper which described a pattern of behaviors in several young boys who had normal intelligence and language development, but who also exhibited autistic-like behaviors and marked deficiencies in social and communication skills. In spite of the publication of his paper in the 1940's, it wasn't until 1994 that Asperger Syndrome was added to the DSM IV and only in the past few years has AS been recognized by professionals and parents.
Individuals with AS can exhibit a variety of characteristics and the disorder can range from mild to severe. Persons with AS show marked deficiencies in social skills, have difficulties with transitions or changes and prefer sameness. They often have obsessive routines and may be preoccupied with a particular subject of interest. They have a great deal of difficulty reading nonverbal cues (body language) and very often the individual with AS has difficulty determining proper body space. Often overly sensitive to sounds, tastes, smells, and sights, the person with AS may prefer soft clothing, certain foods, and be bothered by sounds or lights no one else seems to hear or see. It's important to remember that the person with AS perceives the world very differently. Therefore, many behaviors that seem odd or unusual are due to those neurological differences and not the result of intentional rudeness or bad behavior, and most certainly not the result of "improper parenting".
By definition, those with AS have a normal IQ and many individuals (although not all), exhibit exceptional skill or talent in a specific area. Because of their high degree of functionality and their naiveté, those with AS are often viewed as eccentric or odd and can easily become victims of teasing and bullying. While language development seems, on the surface, normal, individuals with AS often have deficits in pragmatics and prosody. Vocabularies may be extraordinarily rich and some children sound like "little professors." However, persons with AS can be extremely literal and have difficulty using language in a social context.
© http://www.aspergersyndrome.org/
Individuals with AS can exhibit a variety of characteristics and the disorder can range from mild to severe. Persons with AS show marked deficiencies in social skills, have difficulties with transitions or changes and prefer sameness. They often have obsessive routines and may be preoccupied with a particular subject of interest. They have a great deal of difficulty reading nonverbal cues (body language) and very often the individual with AS has difficulty determining proper body space. Often overly sensitive to sounds, tastes, smells, and sights, the person with AS may prefer soft clothing, certain foods, and be bothered by sounds or lights no one else seems to hear or see. It's important to remember that the person with AS perceives the world very differently. Therefore, many behaviors that seem odd or unusual are due to those neurological differences and not the result of intentional rudeness or bad behavior, and most certainly not the result of "improper parenting".
By definition, those with AS have a normal IQ and many individuals (although not all), exhibit exceptional skill or talent in a specific area. Because of their high degree of functionality and their naiveté, those with AS are often viewed as eccentric or odd and can easily become victims of teasing and bullying. While language development seems, on the surface, normal, individuals with AS often have deficits in pragmatics and prosody. Vocabularies may be extraordinarily rich and some children sound like "little professors." However, persons with AS can be extremely literal and have difficulty using language in a social context.
© http://www.aspergersyndrome.org/
Other Resources
Below are additional online resources that you may find helpful. By clicking any of these links you are leaving our site. The links are for informational purposes only. We do not guarantee the services or in any other way endorse any of the organizations listed.
Aspergers Syndrome OASIS
WebMD - Asperger's Syndrom Symptoms
Asperger Friends
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
MAAP Services for Autism and Asperger
KidsHealth
Asperger Support Group DIrectory
Autism Network International
Autism Society of America
Aspergers Syndrome OASIS
WebMD - Asperger's Syndrom Symptoms
Asperger Friends
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
MAAP Services for Autism and Asperger
KidsHealth
Asperger Support Group DIrectory
Autism Network International
Autism Society of America
© 2007 - 2011 Vorpahl Psychology Associates, LLC. All Rights Reserved Privacy Policy
Recommended Reading
The following reading material is recommended by Vorpahl Psychology Associates, LLC
The following reading material is recommended by Vorpahl Psychology Associates, LLC
Additional Reading Material
Custom Search
Medfield Practice
Medfield Psychologists
Dr. Jacqueline Vorpahl
Dr. Irit Feldman
Dr. Cristin Griffin
Dr. Darcy Peifer
Dr. Kristen White
Dr. Annmarie Mica
Group Therapy
Medfield Contact Info
Self-Help Resources
Medfield Psychologists
Dr. Jacqueline Vorpahl
Dr. Irit Feldman
Dr. Cristin Griffin
Dr. Darcy Peifer
Dr. Kristen White
Dr. Annmarie Mica
Group Therapy
Medfield Contact Info
Self-Help Resources
258 Main Street
Suite 7
Medfield, MA 02052
Phone: 508.242.9666
Fax: 815.572.8941
Suite 7
Medfield, MA 02052
Phone: 508.242.9666
Fax: 815.572.8941