Asperger syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects the way a person relates to others and understands the world around them. It was first diagnosed by Austrian pediatrician Hans Asperger in the 1940s and is characterized by difficulties in social interaction, repetitive behavior patterns, and intense, specific areas of interest.
What is Asperger syndrome?
Asperger syndrome is part of the autism spectrum, but is considered a milder form of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). People with Asperger syndrome often have difficulties understanding social conventions and may have very focused interests in certain topics. Despite their difficulties, many people with this disorder have exceptional abilities in specific areas, such as mathematics, science or visual arts.
10 signs to identify Asperger syndrome
1. Difficulties in social interaction
People with Asperger syndrome may have difficulty interpreting social cues and responding appropriately in social situations. They may seem distant or uninterested in interacting with others, and may have difficulty establishing and maintaining friendships.
2. Repetitive Behaviors
People with Asperger syndrome often have repetitive patterns of behavior and rituals that they steadfastly follow. They may be very sensitive to changes in their environment and feel overwhelmed by new or unexpected situations.
3. Intense and specific interests
People with Asperger syndrome tend to have very intense and specialized interests in certain topics. They may spend hours researching or talking about their topic of interest, often in very detailed and passionate ways.
4. Difficulties in nonverbal communication
People with Asperger syndrome may have difficulty interpreting and using nonverbal communication, such as body language, facial gestures, and tone of voice. This can lead to misunderstandings in social interactions.
5. Strict routines and schedules
People with Asperger syndrome tend to rely on strict routines and schedules in their daily lives. They find it comforting to have structure and predictability in their activities and may experience anxiety if they deviate from their usual routines.
6. Sensory sensitivities
People with Asperger syndrome may be sensitive to sensory stimuli such as light, sound, touch, or smells. They may react intensely to certain stimuli and need to avoid certain sensory overwhelming situations or environments.
7. Lack of empathy
People with Asperger syndrome may have difficulty showing empathy or understanding the emotions of others. They may seem insensitive or uninterested in the emotional experiences of others, although this does not mean that they do not care about them.
8. Lack of reciprocity in conversation
People with Asperger syndrome may have difficulty maintaining two-way, balanced conversations. They may focus on their own interests and not notice social cues that indicate the other person wants to participate in the conversation.
9. Difficulties understanding humor and sarcasm
People with Asperger syndrome may have difficulties understanding humor and sarcasm, as they tend to interpret things literally. This can lead to misunderstandings in social interactions and make them appear less capable of socializing.
10. Exceptional abilities in certain areas
Despite the difficulties they may face in everyday life, many people with Asperger syndrome have exceptional abilities in specific areas. They may excel in academic disciplines such as mathematics or science, or demonstrate talent in creative fields such as visual arts or music.
In short, Asperger syndrome is a mental disorder. neurodevelopment that affects the way people interact with the world around them. Although it may present significant challenges in terms of social interaction and communication, people with Asperger syndrome also have many unique strengths and abilities that deserve to be recognized and valued.