| Asperger's Syndrome (AS) or Asperger's Disorder | | | | restricted and repetitive and are sometimes |
| is an autism spectrum disorder. It is a | | | | abnormally intense or focused. They may stick to |
| neurobiological disorder named for a Viennese | | | | inflexible routines, move in stereotyped and |
| physician, Hans Asperger on 1944. This Syndrome | | | | repetitive ways, preoccupy themselves with parts |
| is more common in boys than girls. It is differs | | | | of objects. |
| from other autism spectrum disorders by its | | | | Children with AS may have an unusually |
| relative preservation of linguistic and cognitive | | | | sophisticated vocabulary at a young age and have |
| development. | | | | been colloquially called "little professors", but have |
| There is no single treatment, and the | | | | difficulty understanding figurative language and |
| effectiveness of particular interventions is | | | | tend to use language literally. |
| supported by only limited data.Intervention is | | | | Children with AS appear to have particular |
| aimed at improving symptoms and function. The | | | | weaknesses in areas of nonliteral language that |
| mainstay of management is behavioral therapy, | | | | include humor, irony, and teasing. Although |
| focusing on specific deficits to address poor | | | | individuals with AS usually understand the cognitive |
| communication skills, obsessive or repetitive | | | | basis of humor they seem to lack understanding |
| routines, and physical clumsiness. Most individuals | | | | of the intent of humor to share enjoyment with |
| improve over time, but difficulties with | | | | others. |
| communication, social adjustment and independent | | | | Despite strong evidence of impaired humor |
| living continue into adulthood. | | | | appreciation, anecdotal reports of humor in |
| People with Asperger syndrome often display | | | | individuals with AS seem to challenge some |
| behavior, interests, and activities that are | | | | psychological theories of AS and autism. |