Asperger's Syndrome
Asperger's Syndrome (AS) is a part of a category of conditions known as "Autism
Spectrum disorders" They are known as "spectrum" disorders because they
encompass a wide range of behavioral and other symptoms that may vary greatly
in severity.
Many symptoms of AS are similar to those of autism and PDD, however, they are
frequently less severe in nature and cause less overall impairment. Persons
with AS often display repetitive motions or behaviors such as pacing, rocking,
making repetitive sounds and hand flapping or "finger flapping". Many times
aspies (the term that many people with AS use to refer to themselves) are
intensely interested in a limited number of topics. These topics are referred to
as "special interests". Some common special interests include trains, airplanes,
dinosaurs, movies, music, mathematics and sports, although any topic may
become a special interest and special interests may change with time. Many
aspies become experts in their special interests with extensive knowledge of all
aspects of it. Some even make their special interest into very lucrative careers.
Special interests, however, can become problematic when they preclude an
individual from learning about, experiencing, or conversing about other topics
Many people with AS often experience over or under sensitivity to sensory
stimulation. For example, many can not tolerate loud sounds, bright lights, the
feel of bathing and brushing their teeth or being touched by others. At the same
time others might crave the sensation of being hugged and squeezed tightly, of
having their hair pulled or of running into walls or other objects. It is not
uncommon for people with AS to be over sensitive in some areas and under
sensitive in others.
People with AS frequently have difficulty interpreting the non-verbal
communication of others such as tone of voice, body positioning, hand gestures
etc. Conversely, many times people with AS do not understand the non-verbal
cues that they themselves send without meaning to, they may come across as
rude, disinterested or overly intrusive. Often it is very hard for a person with AS
to imagine how another person might be feeling, or how they may look or
present themselves to others. This phenomenon is known as "mind blindness"
For the above mentioned reasons, the primary difficulty for many aspies lies in
the social sphere of life. It can be quite confusing to interact with others when
one lacks some of the intuitive knowledge that neoro-typicals (the term that
many aspies use to describe non-aspies) possess. This difficulty is especially
evident during adolescence and young adulthood when social interactions
become of primary importance. During this phase of life many people with AS
become depressed and overly anxious due to their social difficulties and
inability to "fit in"
Our approach to working with people with AS is to emphasize the personal
strengths that accompany AS while providing therapy that focuses on teaching
real world, usable social skills and using cognitive techniques to assist in
developing the ability to understand how others might think, act, or feel in
common social situations. We also provide referrals for other AS/Autism related
services when needed.
Spectrum disorders" They are known as "spectrum" disorders because they
encompass a wide range of behavioral and other symptoms that may vary greatly
in severity.
Many symptoms of AS are similar to those of autism and PDD, however, they are
frequently less severe in nature and cause less overall impairment. Persons
with AS often display repetitive motions or behaviors such as pacing, rocking,
making repetitive sounds and hand flapping or "finger flapping". Many times
aspies (the term that many people with AS use to refer to themselves) are
intensely interested in a limited number of topics. These topics are referred to
as "special interests". Some common special interests include trains, airplanes,
dinosaurs, movies, music, mathematics and sports, although any topic may
become a special interest and special interests may change with time. Many
aspies become experts in their special interests with extensive knowledge of all
aspects of it. Some even make their special interest into very lucrative careers.
Special interests, however, can become problematic when they preclude an
individual from learning about, experiencing, or conversing about other topics
Many people with AS often experience over or under sensitivity to sensory
stimulation. For example, many can not tolerate loud sounds, bright lights, the
feel of bathing and brushing their teeth or being touched by others. At the same
time others might crave the sensation of being hugged and squeezed tightly, of
having their hair pulled or of running into walls or other objects. It is not
uncommon for people with AS to be over sensitive in some areas and under
sensitive in others.
People with AS frequently have difficulty interpreting the non-verbal
communication of others such as tone of voice, body positioning, hand gestures
etc. Conversely, many times people with AS do not understand the non-verbal
cues that they themselves send without meaning to, they may come across as
rude, disinterested or overly intrusive. Often it is very hard for a person with AS
to imagine how another person might be feeling, or how they may look or
present themselves to others. This phenomenon is known as "mind blindness"
For the above mentioned reasons, the primary difficulty for many aspies lies in
the social sphere of life. It can be quite confusing to interact with others when
one lacks some of the intuitive knowledge that neoro-typicals (the term that
many aspies use to describe non-aspies) possess. This difficulty is especially
evident during adolescence and young adulthood when social interactions
become of primary importance. During this phase of life many people with AS
become depressed and overly anxious due to their social difficulties and
inability to "fit in"
Our approach to working with people with AS is to emphasize the personal
strengths that accompany AS while providing therapy that focuses on teaching
real world, usable social skills and using cognitive techniques to assist in
developing the ability to understand how others might think, act, or feel in
common social situations. We also provide referrals for other AS/Autism related
services when needed.
| For Your Free Phone Consultation or to Schedule an Appointment Please call: (412) 561-0311 or (412) 561-0411 or email: scott@pittsburgh-therapy.com |
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Windham & Leibovich PC
"Therapy That Makes Sense"
"Therapy That Makes Sense"
Suite 201
Pittsburgh, PA 1522
Pittsburgh, PA 1522
