Asperger 's or Asperger Syndrome was first described by Hans Asperger, a Viennese pediatrician, in the 1940 's. He had observed and diagnosed four boys with Asperger 's that exhibited autistic behaviors such as difficulty with social and communication skills. Each one of them failed to demonstrate empathy with their peers. Their manner of speech either lacked coherence or was overly formal, and their conversations were dominated by narrow topics. The children also shared a tendency to be clumsy.
Asperger 's is a disorder on the autism spectrum labeled as a milder form of or "high-functioning" autism. Individuals with the disorder tend to have average to above-average intelligence, but the behaviors associated with the disorder often lead to
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Asperger syndrome has a tendency to run in families, but the exact inheritance pattern is unknown. If a parent has Asperger 's, more often than not their child will inherit the disorder, as well. Though living and caring for a person with Asperger 's can be a challenge, there is no evidence that people with the disorder have shorter lives. Many if not most live productive lives independently with jobs and families of their own. There are no occupations that can be considered best or worst for someone with this syndrome. Each individual has their own personal strengths and weakness just like anyone else. Occupations should be considered that support strengths and interests as they would for anyone.
Many great historical figures were believed to have Asperger Syndrome. Beethoven and Einstein are just two examples of the great minds impacted by the disorder. Both of these men and many others were considered to be highly gifted at the time, and certainly not labeled with a disorder. Asperger Syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects countless lives. As technology is evolving, we are gaining a greater understanding of how we can enhance the quality of life for Asperger 's patients.
To quote St. Francis DeSales, a Catholic Bishop from the late 1500 's, "Do not wish to be anything but what you are, and try to be that perfectly." Almost sounds like a mantra for us all to strive for, regardless