Believed to be a mild form of autism in which social relationships are poor, and stereotyped behaviour is intense and rigid, but language and intelligence are intact.
A disorder of development characterized by gross and sustained impairment in social interaction and restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behaviour, interests, and activities occurring in the context of preserved cognitive and language development.
Included with Autistic Disorder in the category of Pervasive Developmental Disorders, usually evident in the first years of life. Children with these disorders have difficulty in accomplishing early developmental tasks entailing language, communication, socialization, and motor behavior. These disorders are rare and appear to have genetic cause.
A Pervasive Developmental Disorders and shares much in common with autism. The principal difference is that, unlike many sufferers of autism, there is no intellectual impairment
According to the DSM-IV, Asperger's Disorder is a type of pervasive developmental disorder similar to Autism that typically manifests in childhood. It is characterized by social impairments (which may include poor body language and eye contact skills, failure to develop peer relationships, lack of spontaneous sharing of experience, lack of reciprocity) and the presence of repetitive behavior and interest patterns. Asperger children typically become overly focused on their interests and may resist efforts to redirect their behavior. They also frequently show odd stereotyped hand or body movements. Unlike in autism, there are no significant delays in the development of language or cognitive abilities. Mark Dombeck, Ph.D. - Jan 1st 2000. Collection: Mental Health
One type of pervasive developmental disorder that is characterized by severe and sustained impairment in social interaction and the development of restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, and activities.