NINDS Asperger Syndrome Information Page
  
Reviewed  10-06-2003  

What is Asperger Syndrome?
Is there any treatment?
What is the prognosis?
What research is being done?

Organizations
Related NINDS Publications and Information

What is Asperger Syndrome?
Asperger syndrome (AS), one of the autistic spectrum disorders, is a pervasive developmental disorder characterized by an inability to understand how to interact socially. AS is commonly recognized after the age of 3. People with high-functioning autism are generally distinguished from those with AS because autism is associated with marked early language delay. Other characteristics of AS include clumsy and uncoordinated motor movements, limited interests or unusual preoccupations, repetitive routines or rituals, speech and language peculiarities, and non-verbal communication problems. Generally, children with AS have few facial expressions. Many have excellent rote memory, and become intensely interested in one or two subjects (sometimes to the exclusion of other topics). They may talk at length about a favorite subject or repeat a word or phrase many times. Children with AS tend to be self-absorbed, have difficulty making friends, and are preoccupied with their own interests.

Is there any treatment?
There is no specific course of treatment or cure for AS. Treatment may include psychotherapy, parent education and training, behavioral modification, social skills training, educational interventions, and medications for specific behavioral symptoms.

What is the prognosis?
Children with AS have a better outlook than those with other forms of pervasive developmental disorders, but in most cases, these individuals will continue to demonstrate difficulties in social interactions. There is also an increased risk for development of psychosis (a mental disorder) and/or mood problems such as depression and anxiety.

What research is being done?
The NINDS conducts and supports a broad range of research on developmental disorders, including AS. The goals of these studies are to increase understanding of disease mechanisms and to find ways to treat, prevent, and ultimately cure these disorders.

Select this link to view a list of all studies currently seeking patients.

 Organizations

Asperger Syndrome Coalition of the U.S. (ASC-US)
P.O. Box 351268
Jacksonville, FL 32235-1268
info@asc-us.org
http://www.asc-us.org
Tel: 866-4-ASPRGR (866-427-7747)

MAAP Services for Autism, Asperger's, and PDD
P.O. Box 524
Crown Point, IN 46308
chart@netnitco.net
http://www.maapservices.org
Tel: 219-662-1311
Fax: 219-662-0638

Autism Network International (ANI)
P.O. Box 35448
Syracuse, NY 13235-5448
jisincla@mailbox.syr.edu
http://ani.autistics.org

Autism Society of America
7910 Woodmont Ave.
Suite 300
Bethesda, MD 20814-3067
info@autism-society.org
http://www.autism-society.org
Tel: 301-657-0881 800-3AUTISM (328-8476)
Fax: 301-657-0869

National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
P.O. Box 1968
(55 Kenosia Avenue)
Danbury, CT 06813-1968
orphan@rarediseases.org
http://www.rarediseases.org
Tel: 203-744-0100 Voice Mail 800-999-NORD (6673)
Fax: 203-798-2291

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders Information Clearinghouse
1 Communication Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20892-3456
nidcdinfo@nidcd.nih.gov
http://www.nidcd.nih.gov
Tel: 800-241-1044 800-241-1055 (TTD/TTY)

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
National Institutes of Health, DHHS
31 Center Drive, Rm. 2A32 MSC 2425
Bethesda, MD 20892-2425
http://www.nichd.nih.gov
Tel: 301-496-5133
Fax: 301-496-7101

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
National Institutes of Health, DHHS
6001 Executive Blvd. Rm. 8184, MSC 9663
Bethesda, MD 20892-9663
nimhinfo@nih.gov
http://www.nimh.nih.gov
Tel: 301-443-4513/301-443-8431 (TTY) 866-615-NIMH (-6464)
Fax: 301-443-4279

Learning Disabilities Association of America
4156 Library Road
Suite 1
Pittsburgh, PA 15234-1349
ldanatl@usaor.net
http://www.ldaamerica.org
Tel: 412-341-1515 412-341-8077
Fax: 412-344-0224

Related NINDS Publications and Information
Autism information sheet compiled by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).


Autism fact sheet developed by NINDS, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.


Información del autismo del Instituto nacional de desórdenes y del movimiento neurológicos/Spanish-language fact sheet on autism compiled by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).

Asperger's Syndrome

Written by Stephen M. Edelson, Ph.D.
Center for the Study of Autism, Salem, Oregon

Asperger's syndrome was first described by a German doctor, Hans Asperger, in 1944 (one year after Leo Kanner's first paper on autism). In his paper, Dr. Asperger discussed individuals who exhibited many idiosyncratic, odd-like behaviors (see description below).

Often individuals with Asperger's syndrome have many of the behaviors listed below:

Language:

  • lucid speech before age 4 years; grammar and vocabulary are usually very good
  • speech is sometimes stilted and repetitive
  • voice tends to be flat and emotionless
  • conversations revolve around self


Cognition

  • obsessed with complex topics, such as patterns, weather, music, history, etc.
  • often described as eccentric
  • I.Q.'s fall along the full spectrum, but many are in the above normal range in verbal ability and in the below average range in performance abilities.
  • many have dyslexia, writing problems, and difficulty with mathematics
  • lack common sense
  • concrete thinking (versus abstract)


Behavior

  • movements tend to be clumsy and awkward
  • odd forms of self-stimulatory behavior
  • sensory problems appear not to be as dramatic as those with other forms of autism
  • socially aware but displays inappropriate reciprocal interaction


Researchers feel that Asperger's syndrome is probably hereditary in nature because many families report having an "odd" relative or two. In addition, depression and bipolar disorder are often reported in those with Asperger's syndrome as well as in family members.

At this time, there is no prescribed treatment regimen for individuals with Asperger's syndrome. In adulthood, many lead productive lives, living independently, working effectively at a job (many are college professors, computer programmers, dentists), and raising a family.

Sometimes people assume everyone who has autism and is high-functioning has Asperger's syndrome. However, it appears that there are several forms of high-functioning autism, and Asperger's syndrome is one form.

The Autism Research Institute distributes an information packet on Asperger's Syndrome.
Click here to learn how to obtain this packet.

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updated 7/08/04

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National Institutes of Health
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