Autism is described as occurring on a spectrum because the symptoms can vary from a complete lack of communication with others to difficulty understanding others’ feelings. This range of symptoms is why the diagnostic term is referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Aspergers Syndrome, sometimes also called High-Functioning Autism, falls under the category of Autism Spectrum Disorder. (And yes, this remains the case, no matter what you may have heard about the newly-published DSM-V. But, the DSM-V is the subject of another blog). Aspergers Syndrome is viewed as being on the “mild” end of the spectrum because its symptoms differ in degree and severity from other forms of autism.
These following characteristics are typical of individuals with AS/HFA:
- Average or above-average intelligence
- Average or above-average verbal communication skills
- Speech marked by a lack of rhythm, an odd inflection, or a monotone pitch
- Average or below-average nonverbal communication skills
- Difficulty in social interactions, including the ability to engage in back and forth conversations
- Difficulty with understanding the actions, words, or behaviors of others, including the ability to see things from another’s perspective
- A preoccupation with or a narrow interest in a specific unique topic
- Awkward movements and/or mannerisms
- Delay in motor skills
- Strong reactions to textures, smells, sights, sounds, or other sensory stimuli that are not noticed by others
In his book, Asperger’s and Self-Esteem: Insight and Hope through Famous Role Models, Norm Ledgin advises us to move beyond describing Aspergers Syndrome in terms of its deficits. Instead, we should target the “Asperger’s traits that make us happy”.
Specifically, Norm Ledgin states that a person with Aspergers Syndrome is likely to:
- Display a dependable commitment to honesty and truth
- Offer to be helpful and accommodating
- Be a reliable keeper of promises
- Show strong ties to home and family
- Obey rules and persons in positions of authority
- Be creative in several interest areas
- Exhibit a natural sense of fairness and justice
- Resist compromising his or her principles
- Have an appealingly droll sense of humor
- Set high standards for his or her own work
- Be organized and get things done
- Inspire confidence by virtue of intelligence and reserve
However, individuals with Aspergers Syndrome are more than the sum of the characteristics presented above. As is true of all human beings, they have a mix of unique characteristics that can work together to overcome challenges to enable them to live productive and fulfilling lives.
Do you see any of these characteristics in your child? What strengths or weaknesses do you see in them?
Autism Community Network (ACN) is honored to be included among the bloggers on the Aspergers101 website as the health-related expert on Aspergers Syndrome/High-Functioning Autism (AS/HFA). Our team consists of a medical doctor, clinical psychologist, applied behavior analysts, occupational therapists, and speech and language pathologists.
Visit the ACN website here.
By Dr. Loree Primeau, Executive Director, Autism Community Network
Sources: Autism Speaks; WebMD; National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; Asperger’s and Self-Esteem: Insight and Hope through Famous Role Models by Norm Ledgin.
A graduate of Abilene Christian University, Jennifer had a long career in TV Broadcasting. Upon learning her oldest son Sam had a form of Autism called Asperger’s Syndrome, she left her career and became a full-time mother to both of her sons. Jennifer elicited the participation of her family and together they produced several independent programs including a children’s animated series titled Ameriquest Kids, as well as a documentary and book titled, Coping to Excelling: Solutions for School-age Children Diagnosed with High-Functioning Autism or Aspergers Syndrome. She formed the nonprofit Asperger101 to provide on-going free resources related to ASD at Aspergers101.com and has implemented the Texas Driving with Disability Program and continues to grow the statewide initiative today. She and her husband have recently retired to their property in the Texas Hill Country.
Hi, I have Asperger’s, and I know for a fact that the part about not compromising on one’s own principles brings true for me, as does the rigid adherence to rules, and setting high standards for one’s own work.
I want to thank you so much for posting this article. The positive aspects of a person with Aspbergers are so often overlooked. My daughter is 16 and she struggles in every aspect of her life (school, church, etc.) because of her social dysfunction. She is often excluded from activities or ignored all together because of people’s perception of her. I often wish that people would take the time to get to know her, so they could see that there is a really great person, inside of all the awkwardness.
Thank you for your comment Rebecca! My son is now 22 and he too faced the same isolation and it can be painful to them…and often even more so for the parent. Know as she gets older it seems to get easier on her as society seems to ‘move on’ from the hatred of Middle and High School years. As long as she gets immersed into her special interests, hopefully that interest will lead her to a career and she will enjoy working around people of like mind/interests. Good luck and thank you for reading!~
I’m not sure if this is going straight to Miss Jennifer or not but I am 49 years old a woman, and I believe I have high functioning autism, and the reason why I’ve never been tested is because I strongly remember as a little girl being brought to a facility in order and I think the doctor told my mom to bring me there for some reason because when we were there, I remember her getting into an argument with the Doctor Who at that Time had put me in front of a board that had all kinds of pictures and wanted me to pick out stuff or whatever and I remember thinking that I liked where I was at there was something about the place that I liked it something about it made sense and I overheard my mom saying there’s nothing wrong with my daughter and we’re leaving. I’m not having her tested for nothing and we left and I struggled my whole life… I was basically a loner. And to this day, I don’t have very close friends, especially golf friends. They’re more acquaintances than anything I’ll see each other. Hey you know we might like each other but when it comes to actual friendships, I don’t really have it because people obviously I feel like I’m the oddball out nobody has time to listen to what I have to say when I do try to say something or talk or I feel like I have something to say they cut me off and start talking like I didn’t exist… So now that I’m 49 years old I just prefer not being around people except I can’t help it because I had to be at work and I get into a lot of arguments at work because my bosses especially One who I consider a bully doesn’t understand me and I finally went off on her and said you know I’m autistic. I’m not gonna perceive things the same way you perceive things so you need to treat me differently or talk to me differently because the way you’re talking to me is not helping and all you’re gonna do is end up pissing me off and then I’m gonna do and say something stupid is gonna get me in trouble so you need to approach me differently or don’t approach me at all… And that’s just happened the other day and I mean I’ve got to where it’s like I wish I knew if I had it or not for sure because I don’t know if I can still get help I don’t know. I don’t know what’s out there for me, especially at my age.
Hello Jennifer, first of all, I am so glad you reached out. From experience, I do understand, and you are not alone. My son is now 31 and though working and financially on his own, he is very lonely and has no friends except his family. More relatable to your situation is my sister, whom I love dearly, and she is mid 70’s and never diagnosed but clearly has ALL symptoms of ASD/Aspergers. I am 10 years her junior and she would stay home and take care of me when I was a little girl because she couldn’t relate to her peers. I remember her asking me “how to get and maintain friends” as was prepared to write this information down. Maybe she prepared me for my future son? In any event, I tell you this because my sister, though perceived as many as blunt, is one of the truest, smartest and gifted person I’ve ever met! Not having met you, I bet you are the same. I agree, we are all wired uniquely and because of that fact, we all exhibit different gifts. How boring should we all be the same, act the same and have the same talents. Have you heard of Alix Generous? She is probably more your age and is now married and goes by Alix Generous Lancaster. Look her up! She too was misunderstood, adult, and felt alone. She has found herself and offers Ted Talks on adult females with autism and the complications that may arise in a neurotypical world. Best of all Jennifer.
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