Like many developmental disorders, the understanding and treatment of Asperger Syndrome (AS), remains a work in progress. (Howlin, 2002) Asperger's syndrome is a congenital neurobiological condition that affects 0.25% of the population. AS is linked to Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) and includes autistic-like behavior and marked deficiencies in social and communication skills. (McCroskery, 1999). People with AS find it nearly impossible to make and keep friends, maintain normal conversations or feel a full range of emotions. (abcnews.go.com) .
According to the DSM-IV, the criteria for a diagnosis of AS is as follows: .
1) The patient demonstrates at least two of the following impaired social interactions:.
A) the patient shows a marked inability to regulate social interaction by using multiple non-verbal behaviors such as body posture and gestures, eye contact and facial expression.
B) The patient doesn't develop peer relationships that are appropriate to the developmental level. .
C) The patient doesn't seek to share achievements, interests or pleasure with others.
D) The patient lacks social or emotional reciprocity. .
2) At least one of the following activities that are repetitive, restricted and stereotyped: .
A) Preoccupation with abnormal interests that are restricted and stereotyped (such as spinning things). .
B) Rigidly sticks to routines or rituals that don't appear to have a function. .
C) Has stereotyped, repetitive motor mannerisms (such as hand flapping) .
D) Persistently preoccupied with parts of objects.
3) The symptoms cause clinically important impairment in social, occupational or personal functioning. .
4) There is no clinically important general language delay. The child can speak words by age two, phrases by age three.
5) There is no clinically important delay in developing cognition, age-appropriate self-help skills, adaptive behavior (except social interaction) and normal curiosity about the environment.