Asperger Syndrome: what it is and its relationship to autism

Asperger's syndrome is the expression used to refer to a clinical condition that includes, among other characteristics, impairment in social interaction and the development of repetitive and restricted patterns of behavior. Initially Asperger's syndrome and the autism they were classified as distinct disorders that belonged to the category of general developmental disorders, with Asperger syndrome being known as a mild form of autism.

Currently, the autism and Asperger syndrome are diagnosed as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In addition, many people consider the name “Asperger's syndrome” inappropriate due to the history of the physician who names this syndrome. Despite contributions in the field, Hans Asperger is currently recognized as a great supporter of the Nazi regime.

Read too: April 2 – World Autism Awareness Day

Autism Spectrum Disorder and Asperger's Syndrome

For a long time, disorders such as Asperger syndrome and autism were considered to be different situations. However, many

symptoms and treatments were shared among these disorders., which made many researchers defend the idea that they should be analyzed as a whole. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th edition or DSM-5:

Autism spectrum disorder is a new DSM-5 disorder that encompasses autistic disorder (autism), Asperger's disorder, the childhood disintegrative disorder, Rett's disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified in the DSM-IV. It is characterized by deficits in two core domains: 1) deficits in social communication and social interaction, and 2) repetitive and restricted patterns of behavior, interests, and activities.

ASD is a complex disorder and has different manifestations.
ASD is a complex disorder and has different manifestations.

We can therefore conclude that individuals who would have been diagnosed in the past with Asperger's syndrome would currently be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

  • What is TEA?

O tautism spectrum disorder (ASD), as highlighted in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, is a neurodevelopmental disorder in which the individual presents repetitive and restrictive behaviors and/or interests, as well as difficulty in communicating and interacting with other people. The term spectrum is given because the degree of commitment of each individual is unique. While some people have serious socialization difficulties, with great social isolation, others have mild difficulties.

Some signs of ASD can be noticed in the first years of life, but the Diagnosis of the disorder usually occurs when the child is 4 or 5 years old.

are examples of signs that may indicate ASD and can be observed in the first year of life:

  • lack of response to name;
  • unusual interests;
  • low frequency of smile and social reciprocity;
  • unusual annoyance with loud sounds;
  • not follow nearby people and objects in motion, among others.
One of the signs of ASD is unusual annoyance with loud sounds.
One of the signs of ASD is unusual annoyance with loud sounds.

O TEA has no cure, being, therefore, a permanent disorder. Although there are no specific medications to treat the disorder, a multidisciplinary monitoring of the individual can help its development. Among the recommended follow-ups are speech therapist, psychologist and occupational therapist. The therapies aim, among other things, to improve the social and communication skills of these individuals.

Read too:Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Who was Hans Asperger?

Hans Asperger (1906–1980) was an Austrian pediatrician considered a pioneer in the study of autism. Asperger's syndrome received this name in honor of the physician, who made great contributions to the field.

Initially, the doctor's ties to the program were unknown. Nazi. However, according to a study published in 2018 and entitledHans Asperger, National Socialism, and “race hygiene” in Nazi-era Vienna, asperger actively cooperated with the "infant euthanasia" program, contributing to the murder of several children with disabilities. Faced with these revelations, several debates arose about the need to abandon the use of the name Asperger syndrome.

By Vanessa Sardinha dos Santos
Biology teacher

Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/saude/sindrome-de-asperger.htm

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