Asperger syndrome (AS) is a developmental disorder.  It is an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), one of a distinct group of neurological conditions characterized by a greater or lesser degree of impairment in language and communication skills, as well as repetitive or restrictive patterns of thought and behavior.  Other ASDs include:  classic autism, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (usually referred to as PDD-NOS). Unlike children with autism, children with AS retain their early language skills.The most distinguishing symptom of AS is a child’s obsessive interest in a single object or topic to the exclusion of any other.  Children with AS want to know everything about their topic of interest and their conversations with others will be about little else.  Their expertise, high level of vocabulary, and formal speech patterns make them seem like little professors.  Other characteristics of AS include repetitive routines or rituals; peculiarities in speech and language; socially and emotionally inappropriate behavior and the inability to interact successfully with peers; problems with non-verbal communication; and clumsy and uncoordinated motor movements.Children with AS are isolated because of their poor social skills and narrow interests.  They may approach other people, but make normal conversation impossible by inappropriate or eccentric behavior, or by wanting only to talk about their singular interest.    Children with AS usually have a history of developmental delays in motor skills such as pedaling a bike, catching a ball, or climbing outdoor play equipment.   They are often awkward and poorly coordinated with a walk that can appear either stilted or bouncy.  The ideal treatment for AS coordinates therapies that address the three core symptoms of the disorder:  poor communication skills, obsessive or repetitive routines, and physical clumsiness.  There is no single best treatment package for all children with AS, but most professionals agree that the earlier the intervention, the better. An effective treatment program builds on the child’s interests, offers a predictable schedule, teaches tasks as a series of simple steps, actively engages the child’s attention in highly structured activities, and provides regular reinforcement of behavior.  It may include social skills training, cognitive behavioral therapy, medication for co-existing conditions, and other measures. With effective treatment, children with AS can learn to cope with their disabilities, but they may still find social situations and personal relationships challenging.  Many adults with AS are able to work successfully in mainstream jobs, although they may continue to need encouragement and moral support to maintain an independent life.  Many of the Institutes at the NIH, including the NINDS, are sponsoring research to understand what causes AS and how it can be effectively treated.  One study is using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to show how abnormalities in particular areas of the brain cause changes in brain function that result in the symptoms of AS and other ASDs.  Other studies include a clinical trial testing the effectiveness of an anti-depressant in individuals with AS and HFA who exhibit high levels of obsessive/ritualistic behavior and a long-range study to collect and analyze DNA samples from a large group of children with AS and HFA and their families to identify genes and genetic interactions that are linked to AS and HFA.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?CMD=search&term=asperger+syndrome[majr]+AND+human[mh]+AND+english[la]&db=PubMed&orig_db=PubMed&filters=on&pmfilter_EDatLimit=5+Years http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/aspergerssyndrome.html 1 http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?term= /disorders/asperger/pubs_asperger.htm /disorders/asperger/xml_asperger.xml xml_asperger.xml V299 MAAP Services for Autism, Asperger Syndrome, and PDD

P.O. Box 524

Crown Point IN 46308 info@aspergersyndrome.org http://www.aspergersyndrome.org/ 219-662-1311 219-662-1315 Provides information, advice, and networking to families of more advanced individuals affected by the autism spectrum, including autism, Asperger syndrome, and pervasive developmental disorder. Publishes a quarterly newsletter. V992 Autism Science Foundation

419 Lafayette Street

2nd floor New York NY 10003 contactus@autismsciencefoundation.org http://www.autismsciencefoundation.org/ 646-723-3978 212-228-3557 Provides funding and other assistance to scientists and organizations conducting, facilitating, publicizing and disseminating autism research and serves to increase awareness of autism spectrum disorders and the needs of individuals and families affected by autism. V22 Autism Society of America

4340 East-West Highway

Suite 350 Bethesda MD 20814 http://www.autism-society.org 301-657-0881 800-3AUTISM (328-8476) 301-657-0869 Promotes lifelong access and opportunities for persons within the autism spectrum and their families through advocacy, public awareness, education, and research programs. V273 Autism Speaks, Inc.

1 East 33rd Street

4th Floor New York NY 10016 contactus@autismspeaks.org http://www.autismspeaks.org 212-252-8584 (888) 288-4762 212-252-8676 Nonprofit organization dedicated to finding the causes, prevention, effective treatment and, ultimately, a cure for autism spectrum disorders. Provides research grants and fellowships and sponsors scientific conferences. V696 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

1600 Clifton Road, N.E. Atlanta GA 30333 inquiry@cdc.gov http://www.cdc.gov 800-311-3435 404-639-3311/404-639-3543 V749 National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities

U.S. Dept. of Education, Office of Special Education Programs

1825 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 700 Washington DC 20009 nichcy@aed.org http://www.nichcy.org 800-695-0285 202-884-8200 202-884-8441 V633 National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)

National Institutes of Health, DHHS

31 Center Drive, Rm. 2A32 MSC 2425 Bethesda MD 20892-2425 http://www.nichd.nih.gov 301-496-5133 301-496-7101 V653 National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)

National Institutes of Health, DHHS

111 T.W. Alexander Drive Research Triangle Park NC 27709 webcenter@niehs.nih.gov http://www.niehs.nih.gov 919-541-3345 V658 National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

National Institutes of Health, DHHS

6001 Executive Blvd. Rm. 8184, MSC 9663 Bethesda MD 20892-9663 nimhinfo@nih.gov http://www.nimh.nih.gov 301-443-4513/866-415-8051 301-443-8431 (TTY) 301-443-4279