1. Aspergers
By Patrisha Martin

2. What is Asperger Syndrome?
 An Autism spectrum disorder
 Described in 1944 by an Austrian doctor, Hans
Asperger
 May be caused by genes and/or the environment.
These may include; toxins, household cleaners,
and vaccines

3. Asperger Syndrome and the Brain
 There are few studies on brain
anatomy of Aspergers.
 There is however, evidence of
differences in limbic circuits (important
in sensorimotor gating). Researcher’s
believe this is why people who have
autistic disorders have repetitive
thoughts and actions.
 Structural abnormalities in the brain
also may cause AS, these
abnormalities impact neural circuits
that control thought and behavior, a
gene or the environment may cause
interference with the normal movement
and wiring of the embryonic brain cells
during early development.

4. Aspergers and the Brain cont.
 Imperfection in genes that control and
regulate normal brain growth create
irregular growth patterns, which cause
overgrowth in some brain structures
and reduced growth, or excessive cell
loss, thus happening in the stages of
fetal development.
 Impaired knowledge of the human face
common with people who have AS is
caused by the prefrontal cortex (right
hemisphere especially) which plays a
critical role in the recognition of a
person’s face.
 There is also belief that there is an
increased brain volume in people with
AS due to abnormal prenatal pruning
of the synapses. AS synapses are in
non social areas which lead to further
specialization in the persons specific
area of interest and further neglect,
declining social synapses.

5. Facts about Asperger Syndrome
 2 out of every 10,000 children are diagnosed with
AS
 Boys are three times more likely to be diagnosed
with AS than girls
 Children with AS usually have a history of
developmental delays
 Can not be diagnosed through a blood test like
Down Syndome

6. Signs of Asperger Syndrome
 It is usually discovered in children at the age of 3
 Children with AS often lack the ability to modulate the
volume of their voice to match their surroundings.
 Abnormal eye contact
 Unfriendliness
 The failure to turn when called by name
 The failure to use gestures to point or show
 A lack of interactive play
 A lack of interest in peers
 Repetitive routines or rituals
 Insensitivity of pain or temperatures

7. Diagnosing and Treatment
 It is important for children to be screened so
that we can identify and proceed into
interventions that will help the child through
life.
 Diagnosing Aspergers is difficult. According
to studies it has been tricky to diagnose
children with Aspergers due to the lack of
instruments that are not reliable and
accurate information.
 In an article I read I found that teachers
sometimes have a better chance in noticing
that the child may suffer from AS, thus
because they are seeing the children in a
different environment than the parents may,
helping the parents be informed that their
child may need screened.
 In today’s society doctors and schools
screen the children for AS by observation
and a series of questions for the parents
about their child and for the child
themselves.

8. Diagnosing and Treatment cont.
 In today’s society doctors and schools screen the children
for AS by observation and a series of questions for the
parents about their child and for the child themselves.
 MRI’s are also being looked at to treat AS by scanning the
brain and going over the wiring that is responsible for
language, social, and the emotional functions.
 Medications for depression, anxiety, and aggression may
help reduce some symptoms that a person may
experience with AS.
 Therapy including:
 Speech
 Physical or Occupational (to help with motor skills/sensory)
 Social Skill training
 Cognitive Behavior (to help with emotions)

9. Video
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ryiPSGt4LQ&f
eature=related ( Just a heads up the video may
cause you to cry as it did me, it gives you an
understanding of what parents and the children
might be going through)

10. Donate
 After researching Aspergers it really touched my
heart. This has been a big thing to me and I have
now started to donate. I believe that more and
more people need to be aware of Aspergers. I
hope that after going through my power point you
can inform others of Aspergers. If you would like
to donate you can donate at the same place as I.
http://www.americanaspergers.org/

11. Bibliography
 " Screening for Asperger Syndrome in School-age Children: Issues and
Instrument." 25.1 (2009): N. pag. Web. 16 Feb. 2012. <Ebsco>.
 "Asperger Syndrome." N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Feb. 2012. <http://asperger-
symptoms.net/>.
 "Asperger Syndrome." Even Better Health. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Feb.
2012. <http://www.evenbetterhealth.com/autism-aspergers.asp>.
 Laino,Charlene. Http://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/news/20101206/m
ri-scans-may-help-evaluate-aspergers-syndrome. Web. 12 Mar. 2012.
 Mayo Clinic. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Feb. 2012.
<http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/aspergers-syndrome/DS00551>.
 Amol V. Kawal. "Asperger Syndrome:Overveiw of Revealing
Facts." Ebso. Web. 1 Mar. 2012.
<http://http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=b58ec8
18-3ef7-44dc-93d1-784d6f7b79e5%40sessionmgr4&vid=20&hid=17>.