Although lack of empathy has been considered a central characteristic of Asperger syndrome, quantitative and qualitative assessments of empathy in this syndrome are lacking. We present two cases of adolescents with Asperger syndrome who show extreme deficits on measures of both cognitive and affective empathy.
Emotion is another realm that befuddles people with Asperger's. It is often said that they lack empathy. If, by empathy, you mean a deep understanding of other people's specific emotional states and how to respond appropriately, this is true. What it does not mean, however, is that they lack all compassion.
Difficulty with social interactions and social language. Not understanding emotions well or having less facial expression than others. Not using or understanding nonverbal communication, such as gestures, body language, and facial expression. Conversations that revolve around themselves or a certain topic.
The outside world isn't only exhausting but can also feel terrifying, because I'm bombarded by so much sensory information, and sometimes my anxiety levels skyrocket. To calm down I often lock myself in a cubicle in a public bathroom so I don't worry about the rest of the world seeing me freak out.
It might be hard for the child (or adult) with autism to walk up to another person and start talking to them. They might not like talking that much and prefer to keep to themselves. On the other hand, some people with autism might overshare and might not know when to let the other person have a turn to talk.
Many autistic individuals struggle with expressing their thoughts and feelings verbally, which can lead to frustration and argumentative behavior. ABA therapy focuses on teaching alternative communication methods to help individuals articulate their needs effectively without resorting to arguments.
The "6-second rule" is a communication strategy used to support autistic individuals by giving them extra processing time after being asked a question. Instead of expecting an immediate response, a person using the rule will pause for about six seconds after asking a question before repeating it or moving on.
Individuals with ASDs commonly have a low frustration tolerance and significant irritability. They may report that they alternate from calm to extreme anger very quickly. There have been several studies that suggest individuals with ASDs have difficulty understanding and interpreting their own emotions.
Computer science is a good choice because it is very likely that many of the best programmers have either Asperger's syndrome or some of its traits. Other good majors are: accounting, engineering, library science, and art with an emphasis on commercial art and drafting.
Physical Symptoms:
Characteristics of Asperger syndrome include difficulty with social interactions and unusual behaviors such as:
Studies have found that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) aggregates in families, and twin studies estimate the proportion of the phenotype variance due to genetic factors (heritability) to be about 90%.
There aren't any drugs approved by the FDA to specifically treat Asperger's or autism spectrum disorder. But some medications can help with related symptoms such as depression and anxiety. Your doctor may prescribe some of these: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
As an autistic person, it can sometimes be difficult to feel like you 'fit in' or to find your place in the world. Because of this, many autistic people can end up being socially isolated and lonely. Some autistic people may enjoy being alone, while others may want to socialise but may not know how to.
We have found that the three most effective emotional repair strategies for an autistic person are being alone, being with animals, or engaging in intense interests. This may explain why an autistic person may choose to leave alone or avoid his or her parent or friend who is distressed.
The partner with Asperger's syndrome may also not know what to do, or may choose to do nothing, because of a fear of doing something that could make the situation worse. Partners have reported problems with sexual knowledge and intimacy.
Those with Asperger's syndrome, in contrast, must by definition have suffered no cognitive delay during their first 3 years of life. This means that they will usually have at least a “normal” IQ. In some cases, their IQ may be very high, even in the genius range. There are, however, different kinds of smarts.
Behavioral approaches have the most evidence for treating symptoms of ASD. They have become widely accepted among educators and healthcare professionals and are used in many schools and treatment clinics. A notable behavioral treatment for people with ASD is called applied behavior analysis (ABA).
People with Asperger's syndrome (Aspies) tend to be above average in intelligence and have very focused interests. We also have a repetitive type of behavior. This means that in a job where we are problem-solving, this type of behavior is very helpful. It also enhances the ability to solve problems.
In autistic people this can result in a meltdown (the equivalent of the 'fight' response) which is often mistaken for a temper tantrum. Meltdowns can be expressed verbally (eg, shouting, growling, or crying), physically (eg, kicking or flapping) or a mixture of both ways.
Symptoms of High-Functioning Autism
Difficulty with Social Interaction: Individuals with high-functioning autism may struggle to understand social norms, make eye contact, initiate or maintain conversations, and interpret nonverbal cues such as facial expressions or body language.
Some of the behaviors in autistic children that some may interpret as bossy or controlling may include telling people what to do or how to behave. This may be evident in relationships, such as with family, school peers, and other social gatherings.
Chinning is a form of repetitive self-stimulatory behavior (stimming) that you may notice in children or adults with autism. It involves pressing, rubbing, or holding the chin against objects, surfaces, or even hands to gain sensory input or comfort.
Children with autism may exhibit rigidity, inflexibility and certain types of repetitive behavior such as: Insistence on following a specific routine. Having difficulty accepting changes in the schedule. A strong preoccupation with a particular interest.
In general, people who have an active lifestyle are much more emotionally resilient and focused. There also seems to be some evidence that physical exercise helps people with depression and ADHD, which are commonly co-occurring conditions with autism.