Asperger syndrome
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GC: n

S: WHO – http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2014/WHA-20140523/en/ (last access: 3 July 2016); Autism.org – http://www.autism.org.uk/about/what-is/asperger.aspx (last access: 3 July 2016).

N: 1. Asperger syndrome, a neurobiological disorder characterized by autism-like abnormalities in social interactions but with normal intelligence and language acquisition. The disorder is named for Austrian physician Hans Asperger, who first described the symptoms in 1944 as belonging to a condition he called autistic psychopathy. Today, Asperger syndrome is considered an autism spectrum disorder, a category of conditions that also includes autism (sometimes called classic autism) and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS).
2. When you meet someone who has Asperger’s syndrome, you might notice two things right off. He’s just as smart as other folks, but he has more trouble with social skills. He also tends to have an obsessive focus on one topic or perform the same behaviors again and again.
Doctors used to think of Asperger’s as a separate condition. But in 2013, the newest edition of the standard book that mental health experts use, called The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), changed how it’s classified.
3. Today, Asperger’s syndrome is technically no longer a diagnosis on it’s own. It is now part of a broader category called autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This group of related mental health issues shares some symptoms. Even so, lots of people still use the term Asperger’s.
The condition is what doctors call a “high-functioning” type of ASD. This means the symptoms are less severe than other kinds of autism spectrum disorders.
4. Cultural Interrelation:

  • Reality: Probably, Isaac Newton (1642-1726), Peter Mark Roget (1779-1869) and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859–1930). In the case of the singer Susan Boyle, we may say that she had been diagnosed with ‘brain damage’ until she learned she had Asperger’s syndrome.
  • Fiction: We can mention, among others, the films Adam (2009) directed by Max Mayer and Mary and Max (2009) directed by Adam Elliot.

S: 1. EncBrit – https://global.britannica.com/science/Asperger-syndrome (last access: 3 July 2016). 2 & 3. WebMD – http://goo.gl/kltmbk (last access: 3 July 2016). 4. http://incorrectpleasures.blogspot.com.es/2006/09/referenced-list-of-famous-or-important.html (last access: 3 July 2016); The Guardian – https://goo.gl/of7BO6 (last access: 3 July 2016); https://www.autism.com/news_movies (last access: 3 July 2016); IMDb – http://goo.gl/8v4hJD (last access: 3 July 2016); FCB.

OV: Asperger’s syndrome

S: GDT – http://www.granddictionnaire.com/ficheOqlf.aspx?Id_Fiche=8371485 (last access: 3 July 2016)

SYN: Asperger’s disorder, Asperger disorder.

S: GDT – http://www.granddictionnaire.com/ficheOqlf.aspx?Id_Fiche=8371485 (last access: 3 July 2016)

CR: autism, disorder, syndrome.