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Children's Health Children's Diseases and Conditions Autism

Asperger Syndrome: Struggles with Social Interaction

You might think that you could recognize autism in someone without much trouble, but neurologists and mental health specialists are now realizing that many people with high-functioning autism disorders often fly under the radar.

Like classical autism, Asperger syndrome and high-functioning autism are neurological conditions that cause impairments in communication and socialization. So people with these conditions might have trouble having a back-and-forth conversation or picking up on body language. Unlike people with classical autism, people with these disorders always have average or above-average intellectual abilities. In fact, it's thought that a number of historic figures, such as Albert Einstein, may have had Asperger syndrome and been aided by their ability to zero in a given issue. But until recently, these disorders were not widely recognized, which is why more and more adults are being diagnosed.

Healthology talked with Marjorie Solomon, PhD, an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of California Davis Medical Center and a psychiatrist at the Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (M.I.N.D.) Institute, about how children and adults with Asperger syndrome and high-functioning autism can learn to manage living in a social world.

What are Asperger syndrome and high-functioning autism?
Asperger syndrome and high-functioning autism are types of autism spectrum disorders. Autism spectrum disorders range from classical autism to milder forms like high-functioning autism and Asperger syndrome. Symptoms occur in three areas: language or communication, reciprocal social interaction—like being able to have a friend or to engage in interactive conversations—and rigid or repetitive patterns of behavior and interest.

To have a diagnosis of high-functioning autism or Asperger syndrome, you also need to have an IQ in the average or above average range. The difference between Asperger syndrome and high-functioning autism is that individuals with Asperger syndrome don't have a language delay. In autism, single words aren't acquired before two years of age.

What causes autism–spectrum disorders?
Autism–spectrum disorders, in general, have a large genetic component. There are some studies going on now taking a look at environmental factors. I think, in five years, we'll know more about environmental factors that might be responsible for what's being called a big rise in autism. Some people say mercury in fish, vaccines or living under high power lines or any number of things are responsible for the increase.

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