Page 13 - Part-A

Understanding Specific Learning Difficulties

Asperger’s syndrome

This is a considerably milder type of ASC, although it is still relatively challenging to
diagnose. People with Asperger’s syndrome are generally as similar to people in the
‘mainstream’ of society as they are to those with autism. As a consequence of this,
there are likely to be many individuals with Asperger’s syndrome who may have the
condition but are unlikely to ever be medically diagnosed.

Asperger’s syndrome is generally seen as lacking the language and developmental
delays of other autism disorders, although individuals differ widely in the extent to
which the condition is disabling in practical terms.

People with Asperger’s syndrome may also have motor (movement) coordination
difficulties similar to those seen in DCD (dyspraxia). The person may be diagnosed as
having both of these conditions.

In common with many people who have an SpLD, due to the wide variety of types of
SpLDs and autism, it may not be immediately obvious that some people are living with
these conditions, as their behaviour may not differ significantly from the behaviour of
individuals without the conditions.

Autism, however, has a practical impact on the individual in terms of:

• How they are perceived

• Their experience of the environment and of other people

• Their ability to function and access benefits from services and activities in
the wider community and in society as a whole.

Children with ASC may have significant problems with their social interactions and
language difficulties. They may also display behavioural issues, such as repetitive
patterns of behaviour and interests.

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