Asperger’s syndrome is a form of autism. It's often known simply as A.S. Autism is a disorder of development that affects social and communication skills. Autism is not just one specific disorder but occurs in a variety of forms and degrees. Autistic Spectrum Disorder is the term usually used to refer to the entire range. On this spectrum comes the condition A.S. A.S is found among all races, nationalities and social classes; the name comes from a man named Hans Asperger who was an Austrian physician who first described the syndrome in 1944.

A.S has a pattern that includes:

• Lack of empathy - these children do not understand others' feelings, or how to interact socially

• Limited ability to form friendships

• One sided conversations

• So focused on their own personal specific interest that there is no space for common interests suitable to their age

• Awkward body movements in articulation and also in gross motor behaviour

• A love of routine - they are often upset when their routine changes unexpectedly

• Repetitive activities - children with A.S may well spin or watch objects spinning for a long time

• Sensitive to sensory touch, light and noise

People with A.S perceive the world differently from everybody else. They find the rest of us strange and baffling. (Attwood. 1998 p.86)

The way children with A.S perceive the world makes sense to them and they cannot change the way they think or act. However, with assistance, they are able to adjust their behaviour so as not to cause conflict and confusion with other children. Other children usually do not understand or put up with A.S behaviour. Children with A.S look "normal" and often have average or above average intelligence, but for some reason are not able to understand and relate to other people at a level one would expect for their age. It can be hard for parents, teachers and peers to understand why these children have a lack of desire to interact with peers or inability to understand simple or social cues. Others often assume A.S children are selfish. The truth is, though, that they prefer to be by themselves, following their own special interest. Children with A.S do not take much notice of the reaction of the people listening to them and may talk on regardless of the listener’s interest and may appear insensitive to their feelings. When A.S children are listening to others, jokes, exaggerated language and metaphors can cause confusion: for example a person with A.S may be frightened at statements like "she bit my head off" and take it quite literally.

Children with A.S do not feel like a member of any specific group. They pursue their own particular interest in preference to that of the other children in their class or playground, leading to complete social isolation.