SYMPTOMS
So how can I tell if a person has Asperger
syndrome?
Socio-communicative difficulties
- being a loner
- being active but odd
- being aloof or passive
- poor or exaggerated eye contact
- solemn/serious expression
- lack of empathy
- naivety
- difficulty with group work in a classroom or in
team sports like football
- children with AS respond better to adults than
to their peer group
- unable to initiate small talk but try getting
them to stop talking about their special interest
Language difficulties
- speech may be delayed
- literal understanding of language
- idiosyncratic language
Rigidity of thought
- a love of routine with extreme
distress if it changes
- unusual play patterns e.g. lining
toys up or taking them apart
- tendency to read factual rather
than fiction books
- obsessional interests
Common Obsessions
- pylons
- maps
- gadgets
- train spotting
- or any factual subject which they can immerse
themselves in.
Gross Motor Movements
- clumsy
- poor co-ordination e.g. catching a ball or being
accident prone
- flapping movements or nervous tics
- may walk with a lumbering stooped gait
Other Asperger syndrome Traits
- higher than normal anxiety levels
- more interest in things rather than people
- hyper or hypo sensitivity to temperature/noise/smell/touch
- independent or creative thinker
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