Common Developmental Disorders are disorders that begin at birth or in early childhood, affect the period in which it occurs and later periods of development in many aspects and to a significant degree negatively. In YGB, the aspects of development that are particularly affected are language, adaptive behavior, communication and social skills, and the damage in this area is very pronounced and permanent. Cognitive (mental) development, on the other hand, is significantly retarded in most of the disorders found under this group. According to the DSM-IV classification system of the American Psychiatric Association, the main disorders found under this group are classified as Autistic Disorder, Rett Disorder, Asperger’s Disorder, Disintegrative Disorder of Childhood.

Asperger’s Syndrome

Asperger syndrome (AS) or Asperger’s disorder is one of the autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) defined by difficulties in social interaction and stereotypical interests and activities.

The name of Asperger syndrome comes from the Austrian pediatrician Hans Asperger. Asperger’s was defined in 1944 as children who came for treatment who had no nonverbal communication skills, could not empathize with their peers, and were physically clumsy. Fifty years later, AS has been recognized as an Asperger disorder in the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10), and in the Diagnostic and Statistical Classification of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV).

A number of features found in autism are also observed in Asperger’s syndrome. However, although Asperger syndrome is considered a subgroup within the autistic group, it has its own diagnostic criteria.

What is the Difference between Asperger Syndrome and Autism?

While intelligence in Asperger Syndrome is mostly within the limits defined as ‘normal’, mental retardation (mental retardation) is more common in Autism cases.

While there is a wider and information-based area of interest in Asperger Syndrome, there are more monotonous areas of interest such as sorting and counting in Autism cases. In addition, there is no delay in language development in Asperger’s cases.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis is usually made between the ages of four and eleven. Dec. Neurological and genetic evaluation, tests measuring cognitive and psychomotor functions, verbal and nonverbal strengths and weaknesses, learning style and independent living skills are performed with the help of tests that measure.

According to the DSM-IV Diagnostic Criteria Manual created by the American Psychiatric Association, the following characteristics should be taken into account in order to diagnose Asperger’s Syndrome.

A. Qualitative deterioration in social interaction manifested by the presence of at least two of the following:

1. There is a significant deterioration in many nonverbal behaviors such as hand-arm movements made to provide social interaction, body position taken, facial expression worn, eye-to-eye contact

2. Inability to develop relationships with peers appropriate to their developmental level

3. Not being in search of having fun with other people, spontaneously sharing their interests or achievements (for example. For me to show, bring or specify the objects of interest)

4. Not giving social or emotional responses

B. The presence of limited, stereotypical and repetitive patterns of behavior in behavior, interests and activities manifested by the presence of at least one of the following:

1. Staying closed within the framework of one or more stereotypical and limited patterns of interest that are unusual in terms of the level of interest or focus on it

2. Strict compliance with specific, non-functional, habitually performed daily tasks or ceremonial forms of behavior without showing any flexibility

3. Stereotypical and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g. finger clicking, hand clapping or twisting or complex whole body movements)

4. Don’t keep fiddling with pieces of stuff all the time

C. This disorder causes clinically significant distress in social, occupational areas, or other important areas of functionality.

D. There is no clinically significant overall delay in language development (e.g. individual words are used by the age of 2, sentences for communication are used by the age of 3).

E. There is no clinically significant delay in cognitive development or the development of age-appropriate self-sufficiency skills, adaptive behavior (other than social interaction), and environmental concern in childhood.

F. The Diagnostic Criteria for another specific Pervasive Developmental Disorder or Schizophrenia are not met.

Genetic Predisposition

It has been supported by many studies that Asperger Syndrome has a genetic basis.
In families with typical Asperger’s children, 14% of fathers and 4% of mothers were diagnosed with AS. When the families of autistic children were examined, 2% of parents and 4% of siblings were definitely diagnosed with AS.

The exact cause of AS is unknown.
There is strong evidence that Asperger’s syndrome can be caused by various physical factors that affect brain development. It is not due to emotional deprivation or the education provided by parents.

Treatment

Society should be informed about this issue before the trainings to be given. We should not label children and individuals who may exhibit such extreme behaviors because of their illnesses, and we should not consider them as ‘the other’, we should not exclude them. As a support, we should encourage them by motivating them in their achievements. People with Asperger’s syndrome often have average or above average intelligence. For this, a child with Asperger’s syndrome can go to a normal school. With the right support and encouragement, they can move forward, continue their education and get a good job. That being said;
-Auditory, Visual and Movement Methods

-The Focusing Attention Method

-Individual special education,
-Speech and language therapy,
-Family gatherings,
-Family education,
-Family psychotherapy sessions,
-The education of the people who take care of the child is extremely important for the treatment of the disease.