Autism-World

Ask:

What makes someone with autism different than someone with Aspergers Syndrome?

Answer:

Characteristics of autism:
-impairment in social interaction (eg: lack of eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, abnomral body postures; failure to develop social relationships; lack of interest in sharing enjoyment or achievement with others; lack of social or emotional reciprocity)

-impairment in language and communication (eg: delay in speech development, inability to initiate or sustain a conversation, stereotyped and repetitive use of language, lack of make-believe play appropriate to developmental level around ages 2-7years old)

-onset of delays or abnormal functioning before age 3.

-IQ ranges in a spectrum (half a below 50, 25% are btw 50-70, and remaining 25% are borderline to average range >70)

Causes of autism: some medical conditions (German measles, cytomegaloviros, and difficulties during pregnancy and labor), genetic influences (runs in families, involvement with chormosome 15), neurobiological abnormalities (reduced cerebellum size, although not in all sufferers)

Characteristics of Asperger’s Disorder:
-impairment in ability to engage in meaningful social interaction
-restricted and repetitive stereotyped behaviours
-milder form of social impairment as compared to Autistic children
-often exhibit clumsiness and poor coordination

-but lacks the severe delays in language or other cognitive skills associated with autistic sufferers.
-can be quite verbal, tendency to be obsessed with arcane facts over people; display formal and academic style of speech

-have IQ scores within the average range as compared to autistic sufferers

Causes of Asperger’s Disorder: little research exists, although possible genetic contribution is suspected (does seem to run in families, and higher prevalence of both autism and Asperger’s disorder in some families). Neurobiological research has looked upon the brain structure ‘amygdala’ for its possible role in the social-emotional disturbances, but there is no conclusive evidence to date.

This entry was posted on Monday, July 23rd, 2007 at 9:45 pm and is filed under Ask and answer.