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Culture, Medicine and Psychiatry Sep 2016Situated at the intersection of anthropological work on illness narratives and research on the anthropology of autism, this paper is a close reading of an...
Situated at the intersection of anthropological work on illness narratives and research on the anthropology of autism, this paper is a close reading of an autobiographical narrative recounted by Peter, a young man diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, a type of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Responding to Solomon's (2010a:252) call for phenomenologically grounded accounts of "the subjective, sensory, and perceptual experiences of autism … based on personal narratives and practices of being and self-awareness," this paper calls into question key assumptions in the clinical and popular literature about ASD relating to theory of mind, empathy, capacity for metaphorical thinking, and ASD as a life-long condition.
Topics: Adult; Asperger Syndrome; Humans; Male; Theory of Mind
PubMed: 26838589
DOI: 10.1007/s11013-016-9484-9 -
Turkish Journal of Ophthalmology Aug 2022The purpose of this study was to describe the ophthalmologic manifestations found in patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and to assess their prevalence in the... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to describe the ophthalmologic manifestations found in patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and to assess their prevalence in the different types of ASD.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This prospective observational study included 344 patients with ASD seen over a period of 8.5 years. They were classified into four subgroups (autism, Asperger syndrome, pervasive developmental disorders not otherwise specified [PDD-NOS], and other). Data obtained from ophthalmological examinations were compared between the groups. Statistical analysis was performed with chi-square, Kruskal-Wallis, and Mann-Whitney tests.
RESULTS
Refractive defects were detected in 48.4% of the patients, with the most prevalent being hyperopia and astigmatism. There was a higher prevalence of myopia in Asperger syndrome. Evaluation of extraocular motility revealed the presence of strabismus in 15.4% of patients, with a statistically significantly higher prevalence in autism and the "other" disorders group. The most frequent type of strabismus was exotropia. Convergence was found to be normal in 43.6% of the patients. Nystagmus was observed in only 0.9% of patients. In the binocular sensory tests performed, patients with Asperger syndrome had significantly better results compared to the other groups. Optic nerve abnormalities were found in 4% of patients, with significantly higher prevalence in the "other" disorders group.
CONCLUSION
Ophthalmologic manifestations occur more frequently in patients with ASD than in the general child population. Of these, the most frequent are refractive defects and ocular motility disorder. Therefore, we consider it necessary to perform an ophthalmological evaluation in patients with ASDs.
Topics: Autism Spectrum Disorder; Autistic Disorder; Child; Humans; Prevalence; Refraction, Ocular; Strabismus
PubMed: 36016969
DOI: 10.4274/tjo.galenos.2021.46588 -
International Journal of Environmental... May 2021The purpose of this study was to examine Internet trends data and sentiment in tweets mentioning autism, Asperger syndrome, and Greta Thunberg during 2019. We used mixed...
The purpose of this study was to examine Internet trends data and sentiment in tweets mentioning autism, Asperger syndrome, and Greta Thunberg during 2019. We used mixed methods in analyzing sentiment and attitudes in viral tweets and collected 1074 viral tweets on autism that were published in 2019 (tweets that got more than 100 likes). The sample from Twitter was compared with search patterns on Google. In 2019, Asperger syndrome was closely connected to Greta Thunberg, as of the tweets specifically mentioning Asperger (from the total sample of viral tweets mentioning autism), 83% also mentioned Thunberg. In the sample of tweets about Thunberg, the positive sentiment expressed that Greta Thunberg was a role model, whereas the tweets that expressed the most negativity used her diagnosis against her and could be considered as cyberbullying. The Google Trends data also showed that Thunberg was closely connected to search patterns on Asperger syndrome in 2019. The study showed that being open about health information while being an active participant in controversial debates might be used against you but also help break stigmas and stereotypes.
Topics: Asperger Syndrome; Attitude; Autistic Disorder; Female; Humans; Information Seeking Behavior; Social Media
PubMed: 34067114
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18094981 -
Psychiatrike = Psychiatriki 2017This article is an overview of the literature on Asperger's syndrome and schizophrenia and aim to discuss their similarities and differences. Eugen Bleuler who...
This article is an overview of the literature on Asperger's syndrome and schizophrenia and aim to discuss their similarities and differences. Eugen Bleuler who associated the terms "schizophrenia" and "autism" a century ago, viewed autism as a form of solitude of schizophrenic patients representing withdrawal from reality. Ever since, there has been confusion as to the boundaries between these conditions. Nowadays recent research, from a variety of perspectives-genomics, neurodevelopment, psychiatry, etc. has given new information on these conditions. It is easier to demarcate these two disorders at the extremes, but it is extremely difficult dissociating milder forms of both disorders. Asperger's syndrome (AS), is considered to be a continuous and lifelong disorder with strong heritability, present from early childhood. It is included within the category of autism spectrum disorders and it is usually diagnosed in childhood. Patients with Asperger syndrome are often diagnosed late or they are considered as having schizophrenia. Misdiagnosing Asperger syndrome creates severe problems by preventing effective therapy. A lot of clinical characteristics of Asperger's syndrome are also present in schizophrenia, such as impaired social interaction, disabilities in communication and restricted interests. On the other side some clinical features may facilitate the differential diagnosis, such as the younger age at onset, family history of pervasive developmental disorders, pragmatic aspects of language use, lack of imagination, ect. It is known that symptoms of Asperger's syndrome have some overlap with those of schizophrenia, but less is known about comorbidity between these two syndromes. It is still a question whether autism spectrum disorders in young children can increase the risk for the development of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, later in life. Both disorders are of neurodevelopmental origin and genetic factors are prominent. In both neurocognitive deficits as well as deficits in social cognition and social functioning are marked. The boundaries between AS and schizophrenia are still not clear even if this distinction is necessary for the appropriate treatment of the patient and his family. For the writing of the literature review, the following electronic databases were used: PubMed, Scopus, Psycinfo, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and Google Scholar. The key words used were: Asperger's syndrome, schizophrenia, children and adolescents, differential diagnosis, autism spectrum disorders.
Topics: Adolescent; Asperger Syndrome; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Child; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Humans; Schizophrenia; Schizophrenic Psychology
PubMed: 28686564
DOI: 10.22365/jpsych.2017.282.175 -
Genes Jan 2022The current version of the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) does not consider Asperger syndrome a...
The current version of the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) does not consider Asperger syndrome a diagnostic category. This study was undertaken to see if there is evidence that this diagnosis should be reinstated. An online survey was conducted to examine symptoms and behaviors associated with the current diagnostic criteria of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) (DSM-V), and those associated with Asperger syndrome based on the previous version (DSM-IV-TR). The study also examined other characteristics historically associated with autism, as well as impairments often reported in infancy/young childhood and medical comorbidities frequently associated with autism. The sample included 251 individuals who had received a diagnosis of Asperger syndrome and 1888 who were diagnosed with autism or ASD. Numerous similarities and differences were found between the two groups. The findings are discussed in relation to reestablishing Asperger syndrome as a valid diagnostic category as well as a subtype of ASD.
Topics: Asperger Syndrome; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Autistic Disorder; Child; Comorbidity; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; Humans; United States
PubMed: 35205319
DOI: 10.3390/genes13020274 -
Frontiers in Psychology 2016An increasing number of clinicians point to similar clinical features between children with High Intellectual Potential (HIP or "Giftedness" = Total IQ > 2 ), and... (Review)
Review
An increasing number of clinicians point to similar clinical features between children with High Intellectual Potential (HIP or "Giftedness" = Total IQ > 2 ), and children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) without intellectual or language delay, formerly diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome. Some of these common features are social interaction impairments, special interests, and in some cases high-verbal abilities. The aim of this article is to determine whether these similarities exist at more fundamental levels, other than clinical, and to explore the literature in order to provide empirical support for an overlap between ASD and HIP. First, comparative studies between ASD and HIP children were sought. Because of a lack of data, the respective characteristics of ASD and HIP subjects were explored by a cross-sectional review of different areas of research. Emphasis was placed on psychometric and cognitive evaluations, experimental and developmental assessments, and neurobiological research, following a "bottom-up" procedure. This review highlights the existence of similarities in the neurocognitive, developmental and neurobiological domains between these profiles, which require further study. In addition, the conclusions of several studies show that there are differences between HIP children with a homogeneous Intellectual Quotient profile and children with a heterogeneous Intellectual Quotient profile. HIP seems to cover different developmental profiles, one of which might share features with ASD. A new line of investigation providing a possible starting-point for future research is proposed. Its implications, interesting from both clinical and research perspectives, are discussed.
PubMed: 27812341
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01605 -
Psychiatria Polska 2016A growing number of publications indicates presence of significant deficits in social cognition in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN). These deficits appear to be... (Review)
Review
A growing number of publications indicates presence of significant deficits in social cognition in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN). These deficits appear to be comparable in qualitative and quantitative dimension with impairment of the same functions among people with Asperger syndrome (AS). The aim of this study is to identify subject areas in the field of impairment of social cognition processes among people with Asperger syndrome and anorexia nervosa taking into consideration the potential contribution of genetic pathways of oxytocin and vasopressin in the pathogenesis of these diseases. In the first part of the paper a systematic analysis of studies aimed at the evaluation of the processes of social cognition among patients with AN and AS has been carried out. The results of a significant number of studies confirm the presence of deficits in social cognition in AN and AS. In addition, among patients with AN and AS there exists a similar structure and distribution of the brain functions in regions responsible for social cognition. The second part of the paper describes the role of the oxytocin-vasopressin system (OT-AVP) in the processes of social cognition in AN and AS. Its genetic basis and the possible importance of single nucleotide polymorphisms within the genes: OXT, AVP, CD38, OXTR, AVPR1A and LNPEP have also been presented.
Topics: Anorexia Nervosa; Asperger Syndrome; Cognition; Cognition Disorders; Emotions; Humans; Social Adjustment; Social Behavior; Social Behavior Disorders
PubMed: 27556112
DOI: 10.12740/PP/OnlineFirst/33485 -
Lakartidningen Sep 2014Autism spectrum disorder describes a behaviourally defined impairment in social interaction and communication, along with the presence of restricted interests and... (Review)
Review
Autism spectrum disorder describes a behaviourally defined impairment in social interaction and communication, along with the presence of restricted interests and repetitive behaviours. Although the etiology is mostly unknown, it is evident that biological factors affect the brain and result in the autistic clinical presentation. Assessment for diagnosing autism spectrum disorder should be comprehensive in order to cover all sorts of problems related to the disorder. Knowledge and experience from working with neurological and psychiatric disorders are a prerequisite for quality in the examination. Up to now, there is no cure for autism spectrum disorder, but support and adaptations in education are nevertheless important for obtaining sufficient life quality for the patients and the family.
Topics: Asperger Syndrome; Autistic Disorder; Child Development Disorders, Pervasive; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; Humans
PubMed: 25253606
DOI: No ID Found -
Journal of Autism and Developmental... Apr 2019Religious beliefs and faith in high-functioning autistic persons are analyzed by discussing the work and biography of Franz Kafka. It enables researchers to... (Review)
Review
Religious beliefs and faith in high-functioning autistic persons are analyzed by discussing the work and biography of Franz Kafka. It enables researchers to differentiate between how autistic and non-autistic persons experience and express religious beliefs and spiritual issues because Kafka as an autistic person also wrote about these topics in his philosophical-religious writings. This Franz Kafka case study provides additional inner (cognitive) state input to better understand high-functioning autism. This contribution with new and different perspectives to the field of autism and religious beliefs could help to explore the varieties of religious experience and cognition, and to improve our insights in high-functioning autism.
Topics: Autistic Disorder; Biomedical Research; Cognition; Famous Persons; Female; Humans; Male; Medicine in Literature; Religion; Religion and Psychology; Writing
PubMed: 30539371
DOI: 10.1007/s10803-018-3858-5 -
Behavioral Sciences (Basel, Switzerland) Aug 2020In this study, we aim to verify how emotional training can improve empathy and theory of mind (ToM) in patients diagnosed with early onset schizophrenia and Asperger's...
In this study, we aim to verify how emotional training can improve empathy and theory of mind (ToM) in patients diagnosed with early onset schizophrenia and Asperger's syndrome. The study design includes 100 subjects divided into two experimental groups and two control groups. The two experimental groups followed a rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) protocol. The two control groups instead underwent cognitive behavioral psychotherapy training. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was applied to analyze the difference between the Asperger's syndrome (AS) and early onset schizophrenia (EOS) groups, pre and post training. Our analysis shows that the AS group improved post emotional training but only when emotions were internalized, as demonstrated by the improvement of the scores in the post-treatment eye test (ET) but not in the emotional quotient (EQ) test. The EOS group instead showed post-training improvement, not only concerning skills leading to internalizing emotions but also in empathy, as demonstrated by the improvement of EQ and Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (RFQ) test scores. These scores remained lower than in the control group. Finally, our findings reveal that the value of the treatment was more considerable for the EOS group than for the AS group due to the improvement in first- and second-order ToM skills and an improvement of empathic skills in the first group, followed by the group comprising AS subjects. In the AS group, the treatment only favored the enhancement of first-order ToM skills; however, this improved quality of life and social adaptation.
PubMed: 32872431
DOI: 10.3390/bs10090131