Asperger's Syndrome (AS) is one of many forms of autism. The syndrome itself is defined as an impairment in social interaction and language development, a restricted pattern of interests, and repetitive behaviors, including physical clumsiness and odd facial expressions. Often, children with AS exhibit both communication and nonverbal behavioral problems, sometimes in combination.
Typically, people with AS demonstrate abnormal behaviors during the infancy and toddler years, before the age of three. But this syndrome typically does not have a distinct age pattern for each of its subtypes.
The typical pattern of AS symptoms are similar to that of typical children with ADHD or PDD-NOS but in contrast to how children with other forms of autism behave. Though some children with AS appear to be hyperactive, they are likely to be not. Instead, the majority of children with AS are likely to be underactive. This means that they are likely to show various types of problems, including an increased tendency toward self-imposed social isolation.
Though most children with AS tend to be calm, normal, and sociable, they are likely to be diagnosed with the disorder after self-reporting different symptoms of their own. These symptoms might include:
Children with Asperger's Syndrome have difficulties with physical clumsiness. While physical clumsiness is generally not a serious problem in children with the disorder, it can become more problematic when children with the syndrome do not know how to properly use their limbs. It is also not uncommon for children with the syndrome to become frightened when they fall, so they tend to be in constant fear of falling.
While adults with Asperger's Syndrome are rarely actually confused with those with AS, they often remain childlike. It is common for adults with the syndrome to be shy, emotional, and easily irritated. This may also be what contributes to the increased incidence of suicide attempts among adults with the syndrome.
This syndrome can sometimes be confused with the much less severe Williams Syndrome, especially when the symptoms are exhibited in the same manner. However, this syndrome is much more commonly referred to as autism without restrictive characteristics. Indeed, AS can even cause severe developmental delays that are sometimes mistaken for Williams Syndrome.
Children with Asperger's Syndrome have a higher chance of being diagnosed with ADHD or other disruptive conditions. The developmental problems that children with this syndrome display are quite unusual and can make it quite difficult for parents to understand their children.