Office of Disability Services Cleveland State University

1. Working with Students with Asperger’s Syndrome Office of Disability ServicesCleveland State University

2. Asperger’s Syndrome: What is it? • A developmental disorder • Part of the autism spectrum disorders • Communication and socialization • Impact on learning • Often called “high functioning autism” • “Normal” intellectual function

3. Early Onset • Occurs more often in males than in females • Generally identified during early childhood- over 3 years of age • Motor milestones are delayed • Clumsy in walking and movement • Difficulty using fine finger movements • Prefers to interact with older or younger individuals • Often loner in social situations

4. Communication • Inability to recognize body language • Difficulty starting and maintaining a conversation • Voice lacks tone, pitch and accent • Often engage in one-sided conversations • Communication focus on one or two topics of interest • Internal thoughts are often verbalized • Lacks perspective-taking • Difficulty understanding sarcasm or humor

5. Social Impact • Inability to understanding and interpret rules • Difficulty taking turns • Lacks empathy • Interests limited • Doesn’t impact learning potential- average to above average intellect • Often co-morbidity factors ADHD, Anxiety disorder ,Depression, especially in adolescents, nonverbal learning disorder, Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and Social anxiety disorder

6. Impact in the Classroom • Student may try to monopolize conversation • Will have difficulty working on group projects • May be insensitive or oblivious to other people’s points of view • Motor weakness that can affect hand and finger strength • Sleep disorders often causes drowsiness • Medication side effects • Inflexibility with schedule changes

7. Advantages in the Classroom • Very interested in technology • High interest in math and engineering • Detail orientated • Average to above average intelligence • Focus often isolated to one area of expertise • Excel in computer programming and science • Focus is on part to a whole, can identify weaknesses in an area • Average to excellent memorization skills

8. Medications that impact on performance • Aripiprazole (Abilify). This drug may be effective for treating irritability related to Asperger's syndrome. Side effects may include weight gain and an increase in blood sugar levels. • Guanfacine (Intuniv).This medication may be helpful for the problems of hyperactivity and inattention in children with Asperger's syndrome. Side effects may include drowsiness, irritability, headache, constipation and bedwetting. • Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).Drugs such as fluvoxamine (Luvox) may be used to treat depression or to help control repetitive behaviors. Possible side effects include restlessness and agitation. • Risperidone (Risperdal).This medication may be prescribed for agitation and irritability. It may cause trouble sleeping, a runny nose and an increased appetite. This drug has also been associated with an increase in cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

9. Accommodations • Note-taker if problem with hand and finger strength • Tape record lectures • Minimize group work if possible • Scribe for exams, if needed for essays • Dragon naturally speaking for exams • No Scantron • Allow to step out of class for brief periods

10. Depression and Asperger’s Syndrome • Adolescence and acceptance/ pain of isolation • Depression and medications • Suicide rate higher than average • Co-existing conditions • Medications and alcohol/ recreational drugs

11. Famous People with Asperger’s • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Isaac Newton • Albert Einstein Hans Christian Anderson • Marie Curie Michelangelo • Thomas Jefferson George Orwell • Bill Gates Beethoven • Alfred Hitchcock Thomas Edison • All had symptoms of Asperger’s Syndrome