Understanding Asperger Syndrome

Wanting to be free. Wanting to be me. Trying to make people see. And accept the real me.

Scott Lentine – from The Art of Autism

I was reminded recently of how our understanding and tolerance of people with Autism and who are on the Autistic spectrum as a society has evolved over recent years, this has come about through the courage of many sufferers being more open about how being on the Spectrum impacts their lives and how knowledgeable commentators have been able to share their messages. Having two close relatives on the Asperger end of the Spectrum, I thought I’d share some information I gleaned over several websites.

“Asperger syndrome” was introduced to the world by British psychiatrist Lorna Wing in the 1980s. The term derives from a 1944 study by Austrian paediatrician Hans Asperger (new evidence about his problematic history has recently been revealed and provoked a big debate).

Many people who fit the profile for Asperger syndrome are now being diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder instead. Each person is different, and it is up to each individual how they choose to identify. Some people with a diagnosis of Asperger syndrome may choose to keeping using the term, while others may prefer to refer to themselves as autistic or on the autistic spectrum.

Autism is a spectrum condition. All autistic people share certain difficulties, but being autistic will affect them in different ways. Some people with Asperger syndrome also have mental health issues or other conditions, meaning people need different levels and types of support. People with Asperger syndrome see, hear and feel the world differently to other people. If you have Asperger syndrome, you have it for life – it is not an illness or disease and cannot be “cured”. Often people feel that Asperger syndrome is a fundamental aspect of their identity.

People with Asperger syndrome don't have the learning disabilities that many autistic people have, but they may have specific learning difficulties. They may have fewer problems with speech but may still have difficulties with understanding and processing language.

How common is Asperger syndrome?

Autism, including Asperger syndrome, is much more common than most people think. There are around 700,000 autistic people in the UK – that's more than 1 in 100. People with Asperger syndrome come from all nationalities and cultural, religious and social backgrounds. Historically, more men have been diagnosed as autistic than women, although this is beginning to change.

How do people with Asperger syndrome see the world?

Some people with Asperger syndrome say the world feels overwhelming and this can cause them considerable anxiety. In particular, understanding and relating to other people, and taking part in everyday family, school, work and social life, can be harder. Other people appear to know, intuitively, how to communicate and interact with each other, yet can also struggle to build rapport with people with Asperger syndrome. People with Asperger syndrome may wonder why they are “different” and feel their social differences mean people don’t understand them.

Autistic people often do not “look” disabled. Some parents of autistic children say that other people simply think their child is naughty, while adults may find that they are misunderstood.

Differences in communication

Autistic people, including those with Asperger syndrome, often communicate differently. They may have difficulties with interpreting both verbal and non-verbal language like gestures or tone of voice, or it may take them a little longer to understand. Some autistic people have a very literal understanding of language, and think people always mean exactly what they say. They may find it difficult to use or understand:

facial expressions
tone of voice
jokes and sarcasm
vague or abstract concepts

These traits can express themselves in different ways. For instance, someone with Asperger syndrome may be very funny or sarcastic themselves, but they may not always pick up on sarcasm.

People with Asperger syndrome usually have good language skills, but they may still find it hard to understand the expectations of others within conversations, perhaps repeating what the other person has just said (this is called echolalia) or talking at length about their own interests.

People with Asperger syndrome may need more time to process information, and often find it easier to understand clear, consistent language, rather than abstract turns of phrase.

Differences in social interaction

People with Asperger syndrome often have difficulty “reading” other people - recognising or understanding others’ feelings and intentions - and expressing their own emotions. This can make it very hard for them to navigate the social world. They may;

appear to be insensitive, even if they don't intend to be
seek out time alone when overloaded by other people
not seek comfort from other people
appear to behave ‘strangely’ or in a way thought to be socially inappropriate.

This does not mean that autistic people (including those with Asperger syndrome) lack empathy or the ability to feel emotions. In many cases, they can be more empathetic or emotionally aware than non-autistic people. They may have trouble expressing their feelings in a conventional or socially appropriate way.

For these reasons, some autistic people may find it hard to form friendships. Some may want to interact with other people and make friends, but may be unsure how to go about it. Some people with Asperger syndrome may appear to be much more socially confident or adept than they really are. Many autistic adults develop more traditional skills by mimicking others around them, or by preparing what they are going to say before an event, as though learning a script. This can be effective, yet exhausting.

Repetitive behaviours and routines

The world can seem a very unpredictable and confusing place to people with Asperger syndrome, who often prefer to have a daily routine so that they know what is going to happen every day. They may want to always travel the same way to and from school or work, or eat exactly the same food for breakfast.

The use of rules can also be important. It may be difficult for someone to take a different approach to something once they have been taught the “right” way to do it. They may not be comfortable with the idea of change, but may be able to cope better if they can prepare for changes in advance.

Highly focused interests

Many people with Asperger syndrome have intense and highly focused interests, often from a fairly young age. These can change over time or be lifelong, and can be anything from art or music, to trains or computers. An interest may sometimes be unusual. One person loved collecting rubbish, for example. With encouragement, this particular person developed an interest in recycling and the environment.

Many channel their interest into studying, paid work, volunteering, or other meaningful careers or jobs. People with Asperger syndrome often say that the pursuit of such interests is fundamental to their wellbeing and happiness.

Different names and terms for autism

Over the years, different diagnostic labels have been used, such as: Autism, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), classic autism, Kanner autism, pervasive developmental disorder (PDD), high-functioning autism (HFA), Asperger syndrome and Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA). This reflects the different diagnostic manuals and tools used, and the different autism profiles presented by individuals.

Because of recent and upcoming changes to the main diagnostic manuals, “autism spectrum disorder” (ASD) is now likely to become the most commonly given diagnostic term. Asperger syndrome remains a useful profile for many diagnosticians and professionals.

I hope you found that interesting and I hope the next time you come across someone who is socially awkward, you’ll give them the time and space to express their needs and thoughts – thanks for reading!

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