I was reffered to the Autism Association of South Australia for assessment for Asperger syndrome by his parents, following concerns that I was presenting with behaviours that would see me fit the criteria for Asperger Syndrome. It was felt that an assessment by this Association may clarify my social difficulties and provide access to support services. I was aware of and consented to the assessment.
Assessment Procedure
Due to my age and awareness of the assessment, observations of my interactions with others, responses to my enviroment and behaviour were not carried out at my home. The assessment session at the Autism Association consisted of activities and informal discussion with a member of the Diagnostic Team that I had not previously met, during wich my mother was interviewed and my early developmental history was recorded. At my request, the assessment session not was videotaped. All the information concerning me was then collated and reviewed. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) of the American Psychchiatric Association's criteria fo Asperger syndrome, as well as Gilberg and Gilberg's (1989) and Szatmari's et.al. (1989) criteria for Asperger syndrome, were used as a guide to the assessment.
Asperger syndrome is a pervasive developmental disorder that is present from birth and is lifelong condition. To be diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, a person must present with qualitative imparment in social interaction, which is not as a result of an intellectual disability, impaired language development, or a desire to withdraw, and witha qualitative impairment in the use of language for social interaction and dialogue. Additionall, there must be evidence of restricted and repetitive patterns of interests, activities or behaviour, and there are other significant difficulties with the processing of sensory information. The diagnostic criteria also stipulates that there must be no clinically significant general delay in language or in cognitive development.
As a result of the information collected via the assessment and the early history, the Diagnostic Team members involved in my assessment concluded that I does present as an individual with Asperger syndrome. I displayed the qualitative impairments in socialisation seen in individuals with Asperger syndrome, and I presented with restricted patterns of interest and some difficulties with sensory processing.
Examples of my behaviours, response and interactions which are consistent with this include the following:
Socialisation
Individuals with Asperger syndrome present with a quaitative impairment in reciprocal social interaction that is not neccessarily due to a desire to withdraw. It is manifest in part by a lack of awareness of and interest in others, a failure to develop peer relationships, and a lack of emotional and/or social reciprocity. Impairment in the use of verbal and nonverbal communication are also manifest in this area.
It was reported in the early history taken from my mother while I was interested in other children when younger, he did not interact with them. She commented that he was a "pretty lonely kid", and recalled that it was usually older girls, who mothered me, who were his "friends". She felt I do not hnow how to make friends, and noted that he rarely had friends over to play or visit the homes of other children. Currently, my interactions are mainly with the members of his Church group. Although he sees these people regularly, his relationship with them has not extended out of the Church activities eg. to phone calls or get togethers.