The professionally expanded category, Other Autistic Spectrum
Disorders
also has five disorders placed under its classification. These
disorders are
high-functioning autism, which for some has become synonymous with
Asperger
Syndrome, Non-Verbal Learning Disabilities, Semantic Pragmatic
Communication
Disorder, Hyperlexia, and ADHD. What all these disorders have in
common,
however, are problems with social interaction and communication skills.
Although in some disorders language skills are not affected, other
communications skills are.
Semantic Pragmatic
Comm. Disorder
Delay and difficulty with language skills, little or no affect on
socialization
Non-Verbal Learning Disability
Trouble with non-verbal communication, perception, and motor skill
coordination
High Functioning
Autism
Some medial professionals use this term in referring to Asperger
Syndrome,
Autism without delays in cognitive abilities
Hyperlexia
Ability to read above age level, difficulty understanding language and
social interaction
ADHD
Inability to control impulses may lead to difficulties in peer
interaction
and socialization
Table 2 Other Autism Spectrum Disorders
ASPERGER SYNDROME
In plain language, Asperger Syndrome can be defined as autism without
cognitive and language delay. In fact, individuals with Asperger
Syndrome
often have above average IQs and language skills. One interesting trait
with
Asperger Syndrome is the pre-occupation of certain topics. For example,
one
twelve year old recently observed was fascinated with dinosaurs. H e
could
name every species, their habitats, and the habits of each dinosaur.
His
pre-occupation with dinosaurs bordered on obsession. Sometimes it is a
particular skill that becomes a focus in the life of someone with
Asperger
Syndrome. One adult with Asperger Syndrome focused on poetry, often
writing
up to forty poems a day. A five year old with Asperger Syndrome had a
focus
on art, with skills that of someone double her age.
Like with autism, Asperger Syndrome carries difficulties with social
interaction, unusual movements, sensitivity to certain stimuli like
sound or
light, and aversions to textures or taste.
Often, children with
Asperger
Syndrome can be found playing near or next to children, but not
actually
with children. They tend to be self-centered in conversation, not
understanding non-verbal cues such as body language or facial
expressions.