Asperger syndrome is an autism spectrum disorder that appears in the early years of childhood. It affects how people perceive the world around them and process information. People with Asperger’s syndrome often have normal or above-average intelligence. They also tend to have distinctive personalities and maybe either introverted or extroverted.
The main characteristics of Asperger’s syndrome are:
· Difficulty in social relationships (ranging from difficulty understanding other people’s emotions, difficulties in making friends, lack of interest in interacting with others)
· Lack of ability to mix information coming through the senses with an appropriate response
· Preoccupation with a narrow interest, which can be unusual and may change with time (such as memorizing train timetables or collecting buttons)
· Repetitive routines or rituals
· Attention difficulties and distractibility
· Communication problems, such as delayed language development, odd prosody, tone of voice, inflection, and idiosyncratic language
· Precocious vocabulary but problems with comprehension
· Repetitive motor movements such as hand or finger flapping, rocking, clapping
· Preference for solitude or unusual social behavior that is perceived as aloofness or “odd” by others.
There is no one test to determine if a person has Asperger’s syndrome, but there are some tests that have been developed to aid diagnosis. The Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale – Generic (ADOS-G) and the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) are currently the most popular diagnostic instruments for this syndrome. They observe children in natural settings to measure their social interaction, communication skills, and repetitive behaviors.
The Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) is a checklist used by doctors to observe autistic children. A child’s behavior will be observed during four 15 minute play sessions with the doctor or another adult knowledgeable about autism. The tester looks for subjects who are overly sensitive to stimulation, who lack appropriate attachments to people, objects, or activities.
Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale – Generic (ADOS-G) is a diagnostic test that examines the subject’s verbal and nonverbal behavior during a 20 minute one on one observation session with a trained professional or at a therapy appointment. It will measure joint attention, social interaction, play skills, imitation, and verbal communication.
The Aspergers Test is another diagnostic test used to measure a child’s conversation skill by determining how well they can talk about deviations, future plans, or school subjects. This type of testing usually occurs in an office setting, with the child being observed while the doctor asks them questions under specific circumstances.
Aspergers Test helps as a tool for Asperger diagnosis. The test provides a broad overview of the child’s overall ability to socialize, communicate and interact with their environment.