Asperger's---sometimes called "high functioning autism" because the person has average or above average intelligence---is considered a form of the neurologically based syndrome autism. As with autistic individuals, the person with Asperger's typically experiences sensory sensitivities, problems reading social cues and auditory processing difficulties that impact communication and developing relationships. In addition, anxiety or depression caused by the demands of fitting into a "neurotypical" world is common.
Sensory Sensitivities
Babies with autism may demonstrate their sensory sensitivities by frequent crying and difficulty sleeping. They find noise overwhelming and either crave being held for comfort or find touch aversive. These children grow up with low frustration tolerance and crave predictability and consistency that help them control the impact of sounds, smells, tastes and touch experiences that overwhelm them.
Social Challenges
Children with Asperger's do not naturally learn how to read facial expressions such as a sneer and need to be taught how to differentiate friendly kidding from mean behavior. They don't "get" idioms because they tend to interpret language literally. Individuals with asperger's may avoid eye contact because looking at someone's face and interpreting what they are saying at the same time is overwhelming. These social differences interfere with creating friendships, and perhaps this challenge is most stressful during adolescence when social skills are expected to become more sophisticated.
School Challenges
The middle school years are often the most challenging for children with Asperger's because children are expected to transition from class to class throughout the day, organize numerous assignments and plan long-term projects. Students with Asperger's find it difficult to multi-task---and that, along with changing hormones and social expectations, makes adolescence a time filled with anxiety. In addition, many students have gross and fine-motor difficulties that have an impact on abilities to perform handwriting, keyboarding and physical education class activities.
Asperger's Syndrome Strengths
Although individuals with Asperger's face many challenges that contribute to anxiety or possibly depression, they often discover that their intelligence, abilities to focus intensely on their specialized interests and creativity bring personal rewards and recognition. With maturity and experience, many individuals learn what behaviors are expected in different social situations. Temple Grandin, a famous writer/lecturer who herself has Asperger's explains that the world would be dull and unfortunate without the contributions of people such as Albert Einstein, Isaac Newton, Vincent Van Gogh or Bill Gates---all suspected to have or had Asperger's syndrome.
References
- The Out-Of-Sync Child; Carol Stock Kranowitz; 2006
- Asperger's Syndrome and Anxiety; Nick Dubin; 2009
- Asperger Syndrome and Adolescence; Teresa Bolick; 2001
