subject: Children with Asperger's Syndrome - Diversity in Preschool [print this page] Children with Asperger's Syndrome - Diversity in Preschool
Asperger's syndrome also known as A.S is a form of autism. Autism is a disorder of development that affects social and communication skills. Autism is not just one specific disorder but occurs in a variety of forms and degrees. The term Autistic Spectrum Disorder is often used to describe the whole range. On this spectrum comes the condition A.S. A.S occurs in all social classes, races and nationalities. It is named after an Austrian physician, Hans Asperger, who first defined the syndrome in 1944.
A.S has a pattern that includes:
Lack of empathy - these children do not understand others' feelings, or how to interact socially Little ability to form friendship One sided conversations So focused on their own personal specific interest that there is no space for common interests suitable to their age "clumsy" movements in both their articulation and gross motor behaviour A love of routine, unexpected change in routine can be upsetting Repetitive activities, children with A.S may spin and watch spinning objects for long periods of time Sensitive to sensory touch, light and noise
People with A.S perceive the world differently from everybody else. They find the rest of us strange and baffling. (Attwood. 1998 p.86)
Children with A.S see the world in a way that makes sense to them. They can't change how they think or act. However, with assistance, they are able to adjust their behaviour so as not to cause conflict and confusion with other children. Other children usually do not understand or put up with A.S behaviour. Children with A.S look "normal" and often have average or above average intelligence, but for some reason are not able to understand and relate to other people at a level one would expect for their age. Parents, teachers and their peer group often can't understand why these children don't want to interact with peers, or why they don't seem to understand basic social cues. Others often assume A.S children are selfish. The truth is, though, that they prefer to be by themselves, following their own special interest. Children with A.S tend to be uninterested in what others say or feel. They may talk on about a subject without taking notice of their listeners' reactions or interest in the subject, and so appear to be insensitive to others. When A.S children are listening to others, jokes, exaggerated language and metaphors can cause confusion: for example a person with A.S may be frightened at statements like "she bit my head off" and take it quite literally.
The child with A.S does not see themselves as a member of a particular group; they follow their own interest rather than that of the other children in the class or playground which can lead to total social isolation.
