What is Asperger Syndrome?
Asperger syndrome (AS), one of the autistic spectrum disorders, is a pervasive developmental disorder characterized by an inability to understand how to interact socially. AS is commonly recognized after the age of 3. People with high-functioning autism are generally distinguished from those with AS because autism is associated with marked early language delay. Other characteristics of AS include clumsy and uncoordinated motor movements, limited interests or unusual preoccupations, repetitive routines or rituals, speech and language peculiarities, and non-verbal communication problems. Generally, children with AS have few facial expressions. Many have excellent rote memory, and become intensely interested in one or two subjects (sometimes to the exclusion of other topics). They may talk at length about a favorite subject or repeat a word or phrase many times. Children with AS tend to be self-absorbed, have difficulty making friends, and are preoccupied with their own interests.
Is there any treatment?
There is no specific course of treatment or cure for AS. Treatment may include psychotherapy, parent education and training, behavioral modification, social skills training, educational interventions, and medications for specific behavioral symptoms.
What is the prognosis?
Children with AS have a better outlook than those with other forms of pervasive developmental disorders, but in most cases, these individuals will continue to demonstrate difficulties in social interactions. There is also an increased risk for development of psychosis (a mental disorder) and/or mood problems such as depression and anxiety.
What research is being done?
The NINDS conducts and supports a broad range of research on developmental disorders, including AS. The goals of these studies are to increase understanding of disease mechanisms and to find ways to treat, prevent, and ultimately cure these disorders.
Select this link to view a list of studies currently seeking patients.
Asperger Syndrome Coalition of the U.S. (ASC-US)
P.O. Box 351268
Jacksonville, FL 32235-1268
info@asc-us.org
http://www.asc-us.org
Tel: 866-4-ASPRGR (866-427-7747)
MAAP Services for Autism, Asperger's, and PDD
P.O. Box 524
Crown Point, IN 46308
chart@netnitco.net
http://www.maapservices.org
Tel: 219-662-1311
Fax: 219-662-0638
Autism Network International (ANI)
P.O. Box 35448
Syracuse, NY 13235-5448
jisincla@mailbox.syr.edu
http://ani.autistics.org
New Jersey Center for Outreach and Services for the Autism Community (COSAC)
1450 Parkside Avenue
Suite 22
Ewing, NJ 08638
information@njcosac.org
http://www.njcosac.org
Tel: 609-883-8100 NJ: 800-4-AUTISM (428-8476)
Fax: 609-883-5509
Autism Society of America
7910 Woodmont Ave.
Suite 300
Bethesda, MD 20814-3067
info@autism-society.org
http://www.autism-society.org
Tel: 301-657-0881 800-3AUTISM (328-8476)
Fax: 301-657-0869
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
P.O. Box 1968
(55 Kenosia Avenue)
Danbury, CT 06813-1968
orphan@rarediseases.org
http://www.rarediseases.org
Tel: 203-744-0100 Voice Mail 800-999-NORD (6673)
Fax: 203-798-2291
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders Information Clearinghouse
1 Communication Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20892-3456
nidcdinfo@nidcd.nih.gov
http://www.nidcd.nih.gov
Tel: 800-241-1044 TTD/TTY: 241-1055
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
National Institutes of Health
Bldg. 31, Rm. 2A32
Bethesda, MD 20892-2425
NICHDClearinghouse@mail.nih.gov
http://www.nichd.nih.gov
Tel: 301-496-5133 800-370-2943
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
6001 Executive Blvd.
Rm. 8184, MSC 9663
Bethesda, MD 20892-9663
nimhinfo@nih.gov
http://www.nimh.nih.gov
Tel: 301-443-4513 TTY: 301-443-8431 Depression Info: 800-421-4211 Anxiety Info: 88-88-ANXIETY (269-4389) Panic Info: 888-64-PANIC (64-72642)
Fax: 301-443-4279
Learning Disabilities Association of America
4156 Library Road
Suite 1
Pittsburgh, PA 15234-1349
ldanatl@usaor.net
http://www.ldaamerica.org
Tel: 412-341-1515 412-341-8077
Fax: 412-344-0224