Autism is a social and communication disability. It is not a learning disability, mental illness or health issue, although these conditions can co-exist alongside Autism.
Autism is referred to as a pervasive developmental disorder reflecting its impact across functioning levels. The disability has a physical origin, resulting from impairment of functioning in specific brain regions. The cause of Autism is a subject of debate based upon limited research and resulting in inconclusive debates about the impact of genetics, environment, diet and vaccines. The undeniable acceleration of Prevalence Rates is attributed to a number of factors. Read more...visit our FAQs and our Bookstore.
The term Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is used because Autism varies from person to person. Around 25% of people with ASD will have an accompanying learning disability. Some people with ASD will have average or above average intelligence, they are likely to be diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome. Regardless of an individuals level of functioning all individuals with an Autism Spectrum Disorder will have problems in the areas of Communication, Social Skills and Imagination.
What is Asperger’s Syndrome?
Asperger's Syndrome has been described as "high functioning Autism."
People with Asperger’s Syndrome may not have a learning disability,
and Asperger’s Syndrome may not become obvious until a child is older.
Indeed some people can go through their whole lives having Asperger’s
Syndrome and not receive a diagnosis, until they are in their 40's or older.
Hans Asperger identified Asperger's Syndrome in the 1940's, however it only
became widely known and researched in the 1980's when Dr Lorna Wing gave
comprehensive accounts of 34 cases.
Dr Wing described the main clinical features of Asperger's Syndrome to be:
- Lack of empathy
- Naive, inappropriate one sided interactions
- Little or no ability to form friendships
- Pedantic or repetitive speech
- Poor non verbal communication
- Intense absorption in certain subjects
- Clumsy and ill coordinated movements and odd postures.
Individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome (in common with all people within the Autistic Spectrum Disorder) will have difficultly in 3 main areas.
- Social communication: knowing what to say to other people and understanding what they are saying to you.
- Social understanding: knowing what to do when you are with others or behaving inappropriately (apparently oblivious to social rules).
- Imagination: pretend play, make believe and fantasy.
People with Asperger's Syndrome can go on to achieve a lot of things; they may have above average intelligence. They may go on to go to university, have a job, a family. Some people with Asperger's Syndrome have gone on to become professors, world experts in their chosen field. An example of this is Professor Temple Grandin. Check out her website at www.Autism.org/temple/visual.html
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