Asperger's Syndrome, also identified as Asperger's Disorder or Autistic Psychopathy, is a Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) characterized by stern and continued mutilation in social interaction, growth of limited and monotonous patterns of manners, interests, and activities. These characteristics result in clinically important impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. In contrast to Autistic disorder (Autism), there are no clinically important delays in language or cognition or self-help skills or in adaptive behavior, other than social interaction. Prevalence is limited but it appears to be more common in males. Onset is later than what is seen in Autism, or at least recognized later. A large number of children are diagnosed between the ages of 5 and 9. Motor delays, clumsiness, social interaction problems, and idiosyncratic behaviors are reported. Adults with Asperger's have trouble with empathy and modulation of social interaction the disorder follows a continuous course and is usually lifelong.( Attwood, T. (1998)
Aspergers is not easily identifiable in fact; a lot of children are misdiagnosed with further neurological disorders such as Tourette's condition or Autism. More often, children are misdiagnosed with Attention Deficit (and Hyperactivity) Disorders (ADD & ADHD), Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Such mistakes in analysis lead to a delay in healing of the disorder, though a lot of pharmaceuticals and natural remedies are used to treat several neurological and pervasive developmental disorders. Remedies used at present range from St. John's Wort tea to drugs such as Haldol and Ritalin. Treatments differ to a large level with the individual patient no single medication or therapy works for everyone and AS cannot be entirely cured. As it is so new and so complicated to spot, our society is ill equipped to deal with the particular educational needs of children afflicted with Asperger's.
