Do I Have Asperger Syndrome?

Do I Have Asperger Syndrome?

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Asperger syndrome (AS) is a pervasive developmental disorder at thehighest end of the autism spectrum. People with AS develop languagenormally, but often have difficulty with social interactions, fine andgross motor coordination, and eye contact. They may be extremelypassionate about just one or two topics, with little patience for smalltalk. They also may struggle to handle normal daily activities, such asorganizing time, managing conflict, or even facing the sensory overloadpresented by malls and grocery stores. Adults with AS may appear painfully shy, or they may be extremelyoutgoing - sometimes to the point of being "in your face." That'sbecause people with AS often misinterpret social interaction. Questionsthey may ask themselves: How far away do I stand from another person?How long can I talk about my favorite subject? What's the right answerto "how are you?" If these are the types of questions that puzzle you on a regular basis,you may already have considered the possibility that you have AS. And"if you think you have Asperger syndrome, you probably do," says MichaelJohn Carley, Executive Director of Global and Regional Partnership forAsperger Syndrome (GRASP) <http://www.grasp.org> . I Think I DO Have Asperger Syndrome - What Do I Do Now?<http://autism.about.com/od/aspergerssyndrome/f/dxasadults.htm> AS is in no way life threatening, and while there are therapiesavailable to aleviate symptoms and build new skills, there is notreatment which will cure it. That means you are under no obligation toseek a professional diagnosis, or to act on a diagnosis once you haveit. There are, however, good reasons to consider seeking a diagnosis<http://autism.about.com/od/aspergerssyndrome/a/www.autism.about.com/od/aspergerssyndrome/tp/whygetasdx.htm> , particularly if you feel thatAsperger syndrome may be causing problems or distress. If you do decide to seek a diagnosis of Asperger syndrome,<http://autism.about.com/od/aspergerssyndrome/f/dxcriteriaforas.htm>Carley recommends seeking out individual therapists, neurologists andautism centers that are familiar with tests for AS. The most criticalpoint is that you choose a therapist, neurologist or center withsignificant experience in diagnosing adults with AS. Since it isrelatively new to the DSM-IV (diagnostic manual), the diagnosis may besomething many practicing doctors will not have been trained in or haveexpertise in AS. Appropriate diagnosis will involve a variety of tests that focus onintelligence, "adaptive" social and communication skills, and personaldevelopmental history. An experienced professional can help distinguishbetween true AS and other disorders which have some of the same orsimilar symptoms (social phobias, anxiety, etc.). I Have an AS Diagnosis. Now What?<http://autism.about.com/od/adultsaspergersyndrom1/f/treatadultas.htm> Again, the decision is yours. The information may simply be interestingto you alone, and you may choose to keep it that way. Knowing that youhave AS can help you plan for and manage potentially difficult settingsor situations, and behavioral therapy geared to helping you buildsocial/communications skills may be helpful. If your medicalpractitioner feels that you have other, related disorders (such asanxiety, depression, or obsessive compulsive disorder), medication maybe appropriate. Carley also recommends seeking out books and websitesabout life as an adult with Asperger syndrome. On the other hand, you may choose to share your AS diagnosis withfriends and family. If you grew up with undiagnosed AS, your unusualsocial interactions may have created friction, and even bad feelings. Bysharing your diagnosis, you may open the door to better understandingand closer relationships. Are There Others Out There Like Me?Absolutely! GRASP is only one of several large organizations dedicatedto supporting teens and adults with AS. Others includeNeurodiversity.org <http://www.neurodiversity.org> , Asperger FoundationInternational <http://www.aspfi.org> , Wrong Planet<http://www.wrongplanet.net> and more. The purpose of theseorganizations is to provides adults with AS with support, socialcontacts, resources, treatment, and a sense of community. If you'reinteresting in learning more about these groups, click around thesites... join in the forums... and, if you can, attend a local groupmeeting. Sources: Asperger's Syndrome Fact Sheet, National Institutes of NeurologicalDisorders.<http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/asperger/detail_asperger.htm>Prepared by: Office of Communications and Public Liaison NationalInstitute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke National Institutes ofHealth Bethesda, MD 20892 Publication date January 2005. Interview with Michael John Carley, Executive Director of the Global andRegional Asperger Syndrome Partnership. April, 2007. Online Asperger Syndrome Issues and Support (OASIS) Website.<http://www.udel.edu/bkirby/asperger/> "Adult Issues, Resources andContributions From and For Individuals with AS and Autism."Q. How Do Experts Diagnose Asperger Syndrome in Adults?From Lisa Jo Rudy <http://autism.about.com/mbiopage.htm> ,Your Guide to Autism <http://autism.about.com/> .About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by StevenGans, MD <http://www.about.com/health/p4.htm> You've never really grasped small talk, and would rather talk to acomputer than another human being. Does that mean you have AspergerSyndrome (AS)? To find out, you'll have to see an expert. But howexactly do experts diagnose AS in adults?A. Dr. Shana Nichols of the Fay J. Lindner Center for Autism on LongIsland in New York specializes in diagnosing and treating teens andadults with Asperger Syndrome. While she uses several specificdiagnostic tools to identify specific symptoms, she says that even thosetools are somewhat out of date, as is the DSM IV, a psychiatricdiagnostic manual, which was last updated in 1994. "We've learned anenormous amount since then," she says. When adults come to the Lindner Center for a diagnosis, Dr. Nicholsbegins her exam with an IQ test. Since people with AS have normal orabove normal IQs, this is a good place to start. She also administers anassessment of adaptive skills which tests the patient's ability tomanage complex social situations. "If a parent is available," says Nichols, "we administer a parentinterview called the ADI (Autism Diagnostic Interview Revised). We're looking at current functioning and early history to get a sense ofthe patient's skills in social, communication and behavior domains."After all, as she says, "autism doesn't suddenly show up when you're 25,so most people with true AS showed symptoms throughout their childhood."If parents aren't available, Nichols and her colleagues ask the patientto recall their childhood, asking such questions as "Did you have a lotof friends?" and "What did you enjoy doing?" Nichols also administers the ADOS Module IV. ADOS is the autismdiagnostic observation schedule, and module four is for high-functioningverbal young adults and adults. Along with the ADI, it allows doctors tolook carefully at social and communication skills and behavior. Forexample, says Nichols, the tests look at such questions as "Can you havea reciprocal social conversation? Are you interested in the examiner'sthoughts and feelings? Do you demonstrate insight into relationships? Doyou use appropriate non-verbal gestures and facial expressions? Do youhave odd or over-focused interests?" The tests allow doctors to attach agrade in each each domain to determine whether the patient meets thecriteria for AS. It's not unusual, says Nichols, for a patient to come in expecting an ASdiagnosis and to leave with a different diagnosis. "Distinguishingbetween social phobias or shyness and actual impairment with AS can bevery tough for a layperson," she says. Other disorders, such asobsessive compulsive disorder (compulsions, hoarding, needing to dothings over and over) or social anxiety can sometimes look like AS. Ifdoctors do pick up on these other disorders, they can recommendappropriate therapy and/or medication. Sources: Ami Klin, Ph.D., and Fred R. Volkmar, M.D. Asperger's SyndromeGuidelines for Assessment and Diagnosis.<http://info.med.yale.edu/chldstdy/autism/asdiagnosis.html> Yale ChildStudy Center, New Haven, Connecticut. Published by the LearningDisabilities Association of America, June 1995 Interview with John Michael Carley, Executive Director, Global andRegional Asperger Syndrome Partnership (GRASP). <http://www.grasp.org>April, 2007. Interview with Dr. Shana Nichols, North Shore Long Island Jewish HealthSystem, Fay J. Lindner Center for Autism. May, 2007. [link url=http://www.nichcy.org/resources/asperger.asp]NationalDissemination Center for Children with Disabilities Asperger Syndrome page.FAQ Index <http://autism.about.com/od/aspergerssyndrome/f/> Q. What Treatments Are Available for Adults with Asperger Syndrome?Your symptoms seem to point to Asperger syndrome. But is it worth doingall the work of getting a diagnosis? What good will a diagnosis do andwhat therapies are available to you once you have an "official"diagnosis in hand?A. Children with Asperger syndrome (AS) and other forms of autismusually receive a set of treatments and therapies in school. Often,they'll receive physical,<http://autism.about.com/od/autismtherapy101/a/PTbasics.htm>occupational <http://autism.about.com/od/whatisautism/a/OTBasics.htm>and speech therapy <http://autism.about.com/od/whatisautism/a/SLP.htm>along with some kind of social skills training<http://autism.about.com/od/autismtherapy101/a/socskillbasics.htm> andbehavior support. If they over- or under-react to sensory input (lightsseem too bright, sounds seem too loud, etc.), their parents might alsosign them up for sensory integration therapy<http://autism.about.com/od/treatmentoptions/a/allaboutsi.htm> . As theyget older, they might get involved with social skills groups andcognitive therapy. While some of these therapies are appropriate for adults with AS, saysDr.Shana Nichols of the Fay J. Lindner Center for Autism, treatment foradults really depends upon the individual adult's response to thediagnosis. And responses can run the gamut from joy to anger -- andeverything in between. Says Dr. Nichols: "Some people are overjoyed because finally everythingmakes sense to them -- why they can't hold a job, keep a relationship.They have blamed themselves all their lives. Now they have a frameworkin which to understand their difficulties and their strengths. For a lotof people, it's a relief." Of course, there is no obligation to do anything about an AS diagnosis,and some people simply stop with the diagnosis and walk away. For thosepeople who are interested in exploring their AS further, says Nichols,"We do a debriefing and exploration focused what they feel now that theyknow about it. We do a diagnostic 'life mapping' and explore that; wetalk about how all people with AS are different from one another. Thenwe make a plan from there: We say you came there for a reason,' and weask, 'Where would you like to go next?'" Some of the issues Nichols explores with her patients include quality oflife concerns such as leisure interests, social activities, health,employment and family. "We look at all the different areas that make upquality of life, see how they're doing, and where they want to make somechanges." In addition to working on personal goals, says Nichols, "Family work isoften indicated. There are often rifts that have occurred where siblingsare no longer talking. We explore the questions, 'What do you want totell your family? How would you like to repair relationships?' Sometimeswe have families come in to work on issues together." Beyond cognitive therapy, adults with an AS diagnosis have a number ofother treatment options. They can request that their diagnostician writea report that clearly outlines diagnostic issues, IQ, and adaptivebehaviors. With that report, adults diagnosed with AS can often qualifyfor services provided by state and/or federal agencies. Such servicesrange from cognitive therapy to vocational training, job placement,health insurance, and, in some cases, housing. Some of the therapies that are useful for children are also helpful foradults with AS. For example, sensory integration therapy can be helpfulin alleviating hypersensitivity to sound and light; social skillstherapy (often in the form of life or job coaching) can improve jobsituations and even friendships. Perhaps most important, say AS advocates, is "do it yourself" therapy.Adults with AS have access to books, support groups, conferences andother resources that provide insight, ideas and information on allaspects of life with AS. The Global and Regional Partnership forAsperger Syndrome (GRASP) offers a whole page of links to sites andresources <http://www.grasp.org/links.htm#publishing> to support adultswith AS seeking ideas, insights, and next steps. Sources: Asperger's Syndrome Fact Sheet, National Institutes of NeurologicalDisorders. Prepared by: Office of Communications and Public LiaisonNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke NationalInstitutes of Health Bethesda, MD 20892 Publication date January 2005. Interview with Michael John Carley, Executive Director of the Global andRegional Asperger Syndrome Partnership. April, 2007. Interview with Dr. Shana Nichols, North Shore Long Island Jewish HealthSystem, Fay J. Lindner Center for Autism. May, 2007. Online Asperger Syndrome Issues and Support (OASIS) Website. "AdultIssues, Resources and Contributions From and For Individuals with AS andAutism."FAQ Index <http://autism.about.com/od/adultsaspergersyndrom1/f/