What is Asperger Sydrome?
Asperger syndrome is an autism spectrum disorder, and people with it therefore show significant difficulties in social interaction, along with restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior and interests. It differs from other autism spectrum disorders by its relative preservation of linguistic and cognitive development. Although not required for diagnosis, physical clumsiness and atypical use of language are frequently reported.

Asperger syndrome is named after the Austrian pediatrician Hans Asperger who, in 1944, described children in his practice who lacked nonverbal communication skills, demonstrated limited empathy with their peers, and were physically clumsy.Fifty years later, it was standardized as a diagnosis, but many questions remain about aspects of the disorder.For example, there is doubt about whether it is distinct from high-functioning autism (HFA);partly because of this, its prevalence is not firmly established.The diagnosis of Asperger's has been proposed to be eliminated, replaced by a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder on a severity scale.

The exact cause is unknown, although research supports the likelihood of a genetic basis; brain imaging techniques have not identified a clear common pathology.There is no single treatment, and the effectiveness of particular interventions is supported by only limited data.Intervention is aimed at improving symptoms and function. The mainstay of management is behavioral therapy, focusing on specific deficits to address poor communication skills, obsessive or repetitive routines, and physical clumsiness.Most individuals improve over time, but difficulties with communication, social adjustment and independent living continue into adulthood.Some researchers and people with Asperger's have advocated a shift in attitudes toward the view that it is a difference, rather than a disability that must be treated or cured.



Social interation
The lack of demonstrated empathy is possibly the most dysfunctional aspect of Asperger syndrome.Individuals with AS experience difficulties in basic elements of social interaction, which may include a failure to develop friendships or to seek shared enjoyments or achievements with others (for example, showing others objects of interest), a lack of social or emotional reciprocity, and impaired nonverbal behaviors in areas such as eye contact, facial expression, posture, and gesture.

Unlike those with autism, people with AS are not usually withdrawn around others; they approach others, even if awkwardly. For example, a person with AS may engage in a one-sided, long-winded speech about a favorite topic, while misunderstanding or not recognizing the listener's feelings or reactions, such as a need for privacy or haste to leave.This social awkwardness has been called "active but odd".This failure to react appropriately to social interaction may appear as disregard for other people's feelings, and may come across as insensitive.

The cognitive ability of children with AS often allows them to articulate social norms in a laboratory context,where they may be able to show a theoretical understanding of other people's emotions; however, they typically have difficulty acting on this knowledge in fluid, real-life situations.People with AS may analyze and distill their observation of social interaction into rigid behavioral guidelines, and apply these rules in awkward ways, such as forced eye contact, resulting in a demeanor that appears rigid or socially naive. Childhood desire for companionship can become numbed through a history of failed social encounters.

More evidence suggests children with AS are victims rather than victimizers. A 2008 review found that an overwhelming number of reported violent criminals with AS had coexisting psychiatric disorders such as schizoaffective disorder.
All information can be found <URL:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asperger_syndrome/url>

I suffer with this problem and have for 23years though out my life I have found that the information is wrong why well it veries from person to person really some get obsessed some dont. Other like me like comany yet it says that I am not supposed to be well erm I basically do not apply to the above.

I want as meny people to be aware of this and if to provide somewhere for those who live with some one who has it to talk about it and for other suffers to know they are not allone.