Another very informative site for more information regarding instruction in the classroom is the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Found in the link below or click on the graphic above.
http://dpi.wi.gov/
Asperger Syndrome (also known as Asperger Disorder) is a relatively new category of developmental disorder, first recognized officially in the DSM in 1994.
Briefly, Asperger Syndrome is thought to be the mildest of a spectrum of developmental disorders known as autism. As with other conditions of autism, it is a neurological disorder of unknown cause. Children with Aspergers present with deviations in social skills, problems with communication, behavioral characteristics involving repetitive features, and a limited but intense range of interests. While children with AS have been spoken of as having “a dash of autism,” it is not entirely clear that Aspergers is truly a form of autism, or whether it is related only in the similarities of signs and symptoms.
Since AS itself has a wide range of severity, less impaired children who might meet the criteria for that diagnosis are sometimes not diagnosed at all, or are misdiagnosed with ADHD or other emotional disturbances.
There are five children with Aspergers for every child who presents with classic autism, although some may not have been correctly diagnosed with the syndrome, so it is not a rare disorder at all. For reasons that are yet unknown, Aspergers is more common in boys than in girls. It appears to be associated with other types of disorders, including Tourette disorder, attention deficit problems, depression, and anxiety.
The most obvious characteristic of persons with Aspergers is their areas of special interest. Often, and very early in their life, these kids will demonstrate an obsessive interest in one specific area such as math or aspects of science or history, learning everything possible on the subject, dwelling on it even during free periods. Sometimes these areas of interest will change over time, replaced by new obsessions, but often the interests will continue through adulthood, even forming the basis for a career.
Another common trait of children with Aspergers Syndrome is the socialization deficit. This differs from the same characteristics seen in classic autism in that AS children are usually not as socially impaired as are children with autism. Once they get to school age, children with AS often express an interest in friends and are frustrated by their socialization difficulties.
While normal language skills are a characteristic separating AS from other forms of autism, there are differences in how children with Aspergers use language and how it is used by the unaffected population. The rote skills are strong, sometimes very strong, but their spoken language is often unusual. Sometimes the language sounds overly formal, slang is misused or not used at all, and things are often taken too literally, with major problems dealing with abstracts. Many children with Aspergers have problems understanding or appreciating humor, this in spite of the fact that they are likely to show an interest in jokes, particularly such things as puns and word games.
Although there is little solid information regarding the likely outcome of children with Aspergers, it does appear that, compared to other forms of autism, children with AS are much more likely to grow up to become functioning adults. While limitations continue, it is clear that AS does not preclude the potential for a more normal adult life. Typically, adults with AS will gravitate to a profession that relates to their own area of interest, sometimes becoming proficient. Success in adulthood appears to be closely related to intelligence.
* For additional information on Asperger’s syndrome, see the Asperger Syndrome Education Network. The above has been a synopsis of information found there.
http://www.radkid.org/asperger.html
Although there are many possible symptoms of Asperger’s syndrome, the main symptom is severe trouble with social situations. Your child may have mild to severe symptoms or have a few or many of these symptoms. Because of the wide variety of symptoms, no two children with Asperger's are alike.
Symptoms during childhood
Parents often first notice the symptoms of Asperger's syndrome when their child starts preschool and begins to interact with other children. Children with Asperger's syndrome may:
A child with one or two of these symptoms does not necessarily have Asperger’s syndrome. To be diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, a child must have a combination of these symptoms and severe trouble with social situations.
Although the condition is in some ways similar to autism, a child with Asperger's syndrome typically has normal language and intellectual development. Also, those with Asperger's syndrome typically make more of an effort than those with autism to make friends and engage in activities with others.
Symptoms during adolescent and teen years
Most symptoms persist through the teen years. And although teens with Asperger's can begin to learn those social skills they lack, communication often remains difficult. They will probably continue to have difficulty "reading" others' behavior.
Your teen with Asperger's syndrome (like other teens) will want friends but may feel shy or intimidated when approaching other teens. He or she may feel "different" from others. Although most teens place emphasis on being and looking "cool," teens with Asperger's may find it frustrating and emotionally draining to try to fit in. They may be immature for their age and be naive and too trusting, which can lead to teasing and bullying.
All of these difficulties can cause teens with Asperger's to become withdrawn and socially isolated and to have depression or anxiety.3
But some teens with Asperger's syndrome are able to make and keep a few close friends through the school years. Some of the classic Asperger's traits may also work to the benefit of your teen. Teens with Asperger's are typically uninterested in following social norms, fads, or conventional thinking, allowing creative thinking and the pursuit of original interests and goals. Their preference for rules and honesty may lead them to excel in the classroom and as citizens.
Symptoms in adulthood
Asperger's syndrome is a lifelong condition, although it tends to stabilize over time, and improvements are often seen. Adults usually obtain a better understanding of their own strengths and weaknesses. They are able to learn social skills and how to read others' social cues. Many people with Asperger's syndrome marry and have children.
Some traits that are typical of Asperger's syndrome, such as attention to detail and focused interests, can increase chances of university and career success. Many people with Asperger's seem to be fascinated with technology, and a common career choice is engineering. But scientific careers are by no means the only areas where people with Asperger's excel. Indeed, many respected historical figures have had symptoms of Asperger's, including Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, and Thomas Jefferson.
http://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/tc/aspergers-syndrome-symptoms