Asperger's Syndrome

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussions' started by Wes Grady, Jul 31, 2002.

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  1. Wes Grady

    Wes Grady New Member

    This has nothing to do with DL, but is there anyone in this forum that has experience with Asperger's Syndrome? I need someone with more than a nodding acquaintance with this malady.

    Thanks in advance

    Wes
     
  2. Jack Tracey

    Jack Tracey New Member

    Aspergers is a neurological disorder usually first diagnosed during childhood. These kids usually have at least normal intelligence but exhibit poor social and communication skills. Aspergers Syndrome exists as a continuum disorder, that is, some people have mild versions, some more severe. Poor ability to read non-verbal social cues and a poor sense of physical social boundaries are common features. People may also be especially sensitive to sounds, tastes, smells, may have a strong preference for certain types (soft) of clothing, etc and may have a great deal of difficulty effectively communicating to others the source of their distress. Often times others will perceive people with Aspergers as being rude due to the fact that they simply see the world differently and not because they are trying to offend anyone. This can be especially difficult for kids in regards to making/keeping friends. There's lots of information to be found on this disorder. You can start here:
    http://www.udel.edu/bkirby/asperger/
    Jack
     
  3. Hille

    Hille Active Member

    Hello, From my friends in education this seems to be a growing diagnosis. I would be curious if anyone on the forum knows which states seem to have the greatest population? Hille
     
  4. Wes Grady

    Wes Grady New Member

    I know what it is, I am looking for someone who has some experience in dealing with it, not only in childhood but also as the person matures.

    I was hoping that since so many on this forum are doing graduate work in psychology that there might be a level of expertise that I could tap for a few questions.

    Wes
     
  5. Wes Grady

    Wes Grady New Member

    Since the diagnosis only came about in 1994 (DSM-IV), there isn't much statistical research as of yet. It may be that this is just a form of PDD-NOS that is now being identified, or it may just be another form of HFA. In any case, there isn't much known about it and I doubt that there is anything in the works yet to suggest that it is concentrated in one location as opposed to another.

    Wes
     
  6. Jack Tracey

    Jack Tracey New Member

    Hi Wes - Obviously I can only speak for myself but I don't know if any of the "professionals" on the forum are going to be real quick to start handing out advice on the internet regarding a case with which they have no detailed knowledge. Can you spell L-I-A-B-I-L-I-T-Y? My advice is get yourself a good Pediatric Neurologist and Pediatric Psychiatrist and get them to refer you to an appropriate Therapist. Perhaps you've already done these things and my advice is not helpful. Sorry if that's the case. Good luck,
    Jack
     
  7. Wes Grady

    Wes Grady New Member

    I am not looking for someone to give out advise as to treatment. I am dealing with a 27 year old man who has been undiagnosed and who now appears to have AS or at least something very close to it. I am looking for information as to confirmatory tests and diagnostic tools. Most of what we have been able to find, as you suggest, deals with pediatrics, which is clearly not the case here.

    Wes
     
  8. Jack Tracey

    Jack Tracey New Member

    OK, now I'm clear about what you're looking for but I'm unclear about why you're not simply allowing a trained professional do the diagnostic workup. I hope you're not planning on trying to do it yourself. Don't get angry, get a Doctor.
    Jack
     
  9. Myoptimism

    Myoptimism New Member

    ....on the basis of a platform for defense.

    I believe that Wes is looking at a potential way to defend a client. Wes, if it is listed as real, you can argue it (you probably have already determined this yourself),.............but do pro's believe it is real? Well, if you (your client) has the money, you can prove it to some degree ( you also know this). It is not yet accepted totally, so there is no agreement on the reality (hint...pay somebody who has credentials and comes off even better than that........which you already know).

    Wes, what are you asking, I hope I am wrong in my assumption, or maybe not, if it is a family member.

    Best wishes,
    Tony
     
  10. Wes Grady

    Wes Grady New Member

    It is my oldest son. After 27 years of hearing that he is "different" and after trying to fit all of the ADD, ADHD, PDD labels and finding none that fit, out of the clear blue a psychologist yesterday ask when he was first diagnosed as having Asperger's. He has never been diagnosed. In the past 24 hours I have become an expert on the syndrome, but find that all of the available research is in pediatrics and he has long ago outgrown that stage.

    I have already spoken to the people at Yale and at Albert Einstein (there are a few perks left over from my hospital administration days), and I have a few referrals, but I still have a lot of questions to ask and was hoping that someone on this board might be working in the field and could shed some light on the diagnostic tools.

    Wes
     
  11. tcnixon

    tcnixon Active Member

    My wife informs me that the diagnosis comes about with a combination of IQ tests and their autism profile. My wife is a social worker for children (teens actually) with special needs. Some of her clients have Asperger's Syndrome. If you would like to ask her some specific questions, you can e-mail her at my address: [email protected].


    Tom Nixon
     
  12. Myoptimism

    Myoptimism New Member

    Wes,

    I sincerely apologize for my cavalier post.

    best luck,

    Tony
     
  13. Dennis Ruhl

    Dennis Ruhl member

    I am not a psychologist so I can only be sued for ignorance. And then I would plead ignorance.

    There is a whole range of behaviour from almost autistic to almost average.

    I don't know that there is any magic cure for adults or children for that matter. I read one article by a sufferer that he taught himself to act like a human. He observed the behavior of others and imitated it but did not understand why things were done. Poor social skills are one of most noticeable symptoms.

    I think time helps a lot in children, as does an understanding education system that keeps them on task and protects them from getting brutalized too often and minimizes frustration.

    As far as treatment for adults, with which I am not familiar, I assume that it would simply involve learning of social skills.

    Also if someone did not respond well in the education system as a child, as an adult who can pick and choose their course material, further education in their area of interest may work.

    A 12 year old with an interest in nuclear physics and a source of materials could soon have a working bomb in the basement but may not be able to spell nuclear physics.
     
  14. pbocij

    pbocij member

     

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