Autism & Aspergers Syndrome

What Are They?

Both are aspects of the autistic spectrum. The basic difficulties are to do with communication, socialisation and imagination.

They are not illnesses in the way this word is usually used. People within the autistic spectrum (the name given to the wide range of differences that Autism and Asperger’s syndrome represent) are different in the way they look at and think about the world from most of us.

There are vast differences in ability within this area, ranging from people who have severe learning disability, no useful speech and no interest at all in other people (some being locked into their own world) to highly intelligent people who have difficulties understanding the subtleties of emotional life and do not really understand other people even if they are very successful in some areas of life.

What’s the Difference?

Strictly speaking, the difference between Autism and Asperger’s syndrome is to do with whether or not you have early difficulties with language. In practice, the term 'Asperger’s syndrome' is used as a way of describing people with a high intellect who have difficulties with social situations and communication but do not have major problems with other areas of development.

How Would I Know I Have It?

Often people within the autistic spectrum have difficulty understanding why other people behave in the ways they do.  You do not have a natural understanding of what makes other people tick.  This can get them into difficulties as they may not pick up social signals that tell you when to stop doing things, may not notice when people are upset, or at the extremes even understand that other people have feelings at all. 

Examples of behaviour that are often seen include:

• Not looking at people when they speak to you
• Not listening to others but going on and on about the things you are interested in without letting them get  a word in
• Repeatedly questioning things using the same words every time.

You can have problems with change in the world around you and with routines, timetables etc. Change, even tiny changes, may make them you very anxious and upset. Because you have difficulty understanding other people, you may find it difficult to make friends.

Sometimes people with Asperger’s syndrome will be described as eccentric or 'weird'. You may have a stilted, formal, overpolite way of speaking that others think odd.

You may understand and translate language very literally even if you are highly intelligent, so that if someone says “is there a frog in your throat?” when you have a hoarse voice you may misinterpret their words and say something like “of course not how could there be a frog in my throat?”   They would believe that you thought there was a real frog there!

Because you are different, people may find you difficult to understand so you may be teased and bullied.

Your reactions to things the rest of us take in our stride can often be extreme.

Sometimes you may have interests that seem odd to the rest of us, and which you spend all your time doing. You may be very interested in really precise details. You may tend to be good at finding the detail in things but not at looking at the whole picture.

Although those who are very severely affected may have little interest in other people and in socialising, there are a lot of people who, especially as they get older, realise they cannot make friends and do not understand why.  This can make them very unhappy.

Unfortunately, it’s not unusual for people to have difficulties in other areas such as reading difficulties or clumsiness. On the plus side, you may be very good at things that require attention to detail, and sometimes have unique talents.

It is thought that some very famous and intelligent people have had Asperger’s syndrome, the most famous being Einstein, who was one of the greatest scientists ever!

Who Gets It & Why?

A lot more males than females (about 4 males to every female) but it can occur in both sexes. It used to be thought that people with Autism/Asperger’s were very rare. However, it’s now thought that at least 1to 2 people per 1,000 have an autistic spectrum disorder. Some people believe that the figures are very much higher than this, more like 1 in 200 people.  

The causes are clearly to do with the way the brain develops and is put together.  Autistic spectrum disorders is often hereditary as the condition is almost certainly genetic.

People with Autism and serious learning disabilities often have other serious medical problems therefore it’s important to have a full physical examination if you are in this group.

There are lots of theories about what causes and cures autism. There is no evidence that vaccinations cause autism, in fact studies looking at very large numbers of people suggest this is not the case.

OK, the Description Fits - What Next?

If you want to find out more then you may want to see your doctor who can refer you to a specialist (often a psychiatrist, child and adolescent  psychiatrists are also available) who can help sort out whether or not this applies to you.  Diagnosis may take a while.  If available, any information from your parents about your development will be very useful and may help the right decisions to be made.

Most people with severe autism are seen and diagnosed in early childhood.  However if you have Asperger’s syndrome then neither you nor anyone else may notice any concerns until well after you start school.  Even then, the concerns may be difficult to get a grip on and you may be thought of as awkward or naughty.

Treatments

Remember that autism is not an illness as such.  Usually people benefit from help with how to get on with others and having their differences from others explained to them. Learning how to understand other people is important but can be difficult.  

Help at school or work is important. If people around you understand your difficulties they can help you.

Any other difficulties that you have may need proper attention. Anxiety and depression are common and may need treatment in their own right. If you are clumsy or have problems with concentration then you can also get help with this. 

These individual difficulties may need several different professionals including psychiatrists, speech therapists, occupational therapists and psychologists.

In the meantime you may want to Chat to a Buddy, or check out our Treatments and Self Help sections, try to take little steps everyday to make yourself feel better.