Asperger’s Syndrome: 10 signs to identify this disorder

We explain the signs that identify people with this psychopathology.

The Asperger Syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects social functioning, communication and language, motor skills and the activities and interests of the individual who suffers from it, even though intelligence is normal (and even above average).

Currently Asperger's Syndrome has been removed from the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria manual and this category is now included in the autism spectrum disorders. However, it is worth explaining here its causes, symptoms and signs to put into context a diagnostic label that was widely used during the last decades.

The cause of Asperger's syndrome appears to be the dysfunction of several brain circuits. dysfunction of several brain circuitsThe affected areas are the amygdala, the frontostriatal and temporal circuits and the cerebellum, structures that are involved in the development of social relationships.

10 signs to detect Asperger's Syndrome

Asperger's syndrome affects between 3 and 7 out of every 1000 children (aged 7 to 16 years) and more cases occur in boys than in girls. The presence of average (high) intelligence may cause the difficulties and limitations of individuals with this disorder to be underestimated.

Possessing a high IQ (intelligence quotient) is no guarantee of a satisfactory life.The high IQ (intelligence quotient) is important for personal, academic and professional success and is essential for developing skills such as empathy, social judgment, common sense and negotiation skills.

Neurological functioning of Asperger's Syndrome

The characteristic way of thinking and understanding the world of people with Asperger Syndrome has caused much debate among experts. Currently, there seems to be a certain consensus in affirming that the peculiar psychological functioning of individuals with this disorder can be explained on the basis of several theoretical models..

Although these models have great relevance, so far none of these theories has been able to explain Asperger Syndrome in its entirety.

Deficits in the "Theory of Mind".

Theory of mind refers to the ability to infer into the mental states of other peopleIn other words, theory of mind refers to the ability to infer on the mental states of other people: on their thoughts, desires, beliefs, etc., and to use the information received to predict their behavior and make sense of their behavior. In other words, theory of mind refers to the ability to put oneself in the other person's place.

Studies carried out in this field indicate that people with Asperger Syndrome are unable to formulate an explanation for the thinking or behavior of others. The deficit in theory of mind causes the impossibility of explaining and understanding both one's own and others' behaviors and, therefore, it is not only impossible to predict what others will do and their intentions, but also affects most of the daily activities that influence the personal development and well-being of individuals with this pathology.

Executive function deficits

Executive function is the ability to maintain active an appropriate set of problem-solving strategies in order to achieve a future goal. It is therefore associated with intentionality, purposefulness and complex decision making (e.g., impulse control, inhibition of inappropriate responses, etc.).

This appears to be caused by frontal lobe malfunction. People with Asperger's Syndrome have a deficit of executive functions. executive function deficits, as their behavior and thinking is rigid, repetitive and perseverative.. Examples of this deficit can be: inability to make plans, organizational difficulties, etc.

Right Hemisphere Dysfunction

The right hemisphere (RH) is important for processing visuospatial information. visuospatial informationIt is important for aspects related to language (intonation or prosody) and is related to the expression and interpretation of emotions.

Dysfunction of the HD is related to problems in social lifeHD dysfunction is related to problems in social life, such as the interpretation of gestures, problems in the intonation of the messages to be transmitted, problems with body posture or difficulties in the integration of coherent information. People with this disorder have difficulty in grasping the emotional meaning of others, poor performance in tasks that require the integration of visual-motor information, and difficulties in social relationships.

Signs to detect Asperger's Syndrome

There are many behaviors that can indicate the presence of Asperger Syndrome. In summary, the following are 10 characteristic signs of this disorder:

• Difficulty with social interaction and limited social relationships
• Lack of empathy for others
• Difficulty understanding and comprehending the world around them and the emotions of others.
• They may react annoyingly to certain external stimuli: noises, images, light...
• May show motor retardation and clumsiness in their movements.
• Restricted, rigid, systematic and repetitive interests and activities.
• Eccentric or unusual behaviors
• They don't usually look you in the eye when they talk to you
• They talk a lot, in a loud and peculiar tone, and use pedantic language, extremely formal and with an extensive vocabulary
• They invent idiosyncratic words or expressions.
• Sometimes they seem to be absent, absorbed in their thoughts