116 Asperger’s Disorder (299.80)
https://youtu.be/QWY3ntr3sdI
Introduction
- Asperger’s disorder is defined in the DSM-IV-TR to include the same social interaction and behavior impairments as those diagnosed with autism (Hoffman, 2009).
- This subtype, however, does not include language or cognitive deficits
- Unlike those with autism, children with Asperger’s are interested in interacting with others.
- Socially inappropriate, odd communication, or difficulty reading social cues inhibit formation of peer relationships.
- Furthering their social isolation, children with Asperger’s are described as “little professors” in that they become experts in a particular area of interest often to the exclusion of other topics.
- Verbal skills are superior to non-verbal
- Exhibit motor difficulties
- Visual-spatial abilities
- Fine and gross motor skills
- Poor coordination
- Odd gait
- Clumsiness
- Exhibit motor difficulties
- Unlike those with autism, children with Asperger’s are interested in interacting with others.
- Impairments cannot be due to another PDD or schizophrenia.
- More common in males
- Estimated between a 5:1 to at least 9:1 male to female ratio
- Hans Asperger first described this disorder as being attributed to familial heredity.
- He characterized this disorder to include the following symptoms:
- Decreased facial expression and gestures
- Peculiarities is communication
- Lack of empathy and intellectualization of feelings
- School behavioral problems
- i.e. aggression stemming from social deficits
- He characterized this disorder to include the following symptoms:
- This subtype, however, does not include language or cognitive deficits
DSM-IV-TR criteria
- A. Qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least two of the following:
- 1. marked impairment in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, body postures, and gestures to regulate social interaction
- 2. failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level
- 3. a lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or achievements with other people (e.g., by a lack of showing, bringing, or pointing out objects of interest to other people)
- 4. lack of social or emotional reciprocity
- B. Restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, and activities, as manifested by at least one of the following:
- 1. encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus
- 2. apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals
- 3. stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g., hand or finger flapping or twisting, or complex whole-body movements)
- 4. persistent preoccupation with parts of objects
- C. The disturbance causes clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
- D. There is no clinically significant general de