Asperger's Syndrome Analysis

Words: 1037
Pages: 5

Introduction: Historical and Medical Background Asperger’s Syndrome is defined as “an autism spectrum disorder considered to be on the “higher functioning” end of the spectrum” (Autism Speaks, 2014). The first children who showed characteristics of Asperger’s were identified in 1944 by Hans Asperger, who was a pediatrician (Attwood, 1998). However, his observations weren’t really known until 1981 when Lorna Wing, an English doctor, also noticed these characteristics and published a series of studies (National Institutes of Health, 2012). Other professionals recognized the same characteristics that Asperger and Wing had noticed, and felt that it was a milder case of autism, and thus called it “high-functioning autism” (The Autism Society, …show more content…
However, “scientists have revealed structural and functional differences in specific regions of the brain” (National Institutes of Health, 2012). They have compared the brain scans of people with Asperger’s with those who do not have Asperger’s and have found these anatomical differences (National Institutes of Health, 2012). This syndrome could also be inherited because in some families, the characteristics of ASD and Asperger’s are shown through the family history and also occur in twins (Attwood, 1998). Another statistic about the disorder is that; Asperger’s is more likely to be diagnosed in males, and they have four times more of a change of having Asperger’s than females (Attwood, 1998). It is also proven that Asperger’s “is not caused by emotional trauma, neglect, or failing to love your child” (Attwood, 144, 2014). Another possible cause for developing Asperger’s is due to teratogens, which cause birth defects, early in the fetus’ development (Attwood, 1998). Finally, Asperger’s can occur alongside other disorders such as “Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, tic disorders, depression, anxiety disorders, and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder” (National Institutes of Health,