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What Is So Good About Asperger Syndrome?

What Is So Good About Asperger Syndrome?. Sheffield Hallam University 30th June 2008. What is an Impairment?. We are led to believe that individuals with AS are 'impaired' in certain areas Is this accurate – or is it a 'majority rules' judgement?

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What Is So Good About Asperger Syndrome?

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  1. What Is So Good About Asperger Syndrome? Sheffield Hallam University 30th June 2008

  2. What is an Impairment? • We are led to believe that individuals with AS are 'impaired' in certain areas • Is this accurate – or is it a 'majority rules' judgement? • Is the skill set of the PNT really so wonderful? • Could an AS manner of behaving be far more sensible and rewarding?

  3. Areas of Difference • Social behaviour • Verbal Communication • Non verbal communication • Theory of Mind • Executive functioning • Central coherence • Sensory processing • Obsessions

  4. Social Behaviour • People with AS are not unsociable • The PNT make very little logical sense • Social niceties could be seen as banal, utterly incomprehensible and a waste of energy – really, what is the point and get to the point! • People with AS can socialise with one another perfectly well

  5. Verbal Communication • Literal interpretation is simply accuracy • Being pedantic is being linguistically honest • If we actually said what we mean (and meant what we said) then life would improve considerably

  6. Non Verbal Communication • ...leads to misinformation, confusion, and lack of clarity – for all of us • Would you prefer everything to be clear expressively and receptively – or prefer doubt, uncertainty, and stress? • The dreaded first date...snog or no snog?

  7. Theory of Mind • People with AS do not lack a Theory of Mind • Or, the PNT lack a Theory of Mind • It is cross neurological boundaries where the problems arise – not because of any deficit in people with AS • Is lying really such a great thing? • Do you like being able to trust?

  8. Executive Functioning • Allows for detailed planning • Order over chaos • Knowing what happens when, for how long and in what order is logical and sensible • Reduction in wasted time

  9. Central Coherence • Meticulous attention to areas of interest • Detail is important • Ability to remain focussed • Provision of a wonderful balance with the gestalt led PNT

  10. Sensory Processing • (Almost) unbelievable senses • Sheer joy in processing • Perceptual beauty – not a bad thing

  11. Obsessions • Intense passions • Vocations • Having an 'obsession' can be a wonderful thing

  12. Other Aspects • Sense of fairness • Burning desire for justice and rightness • Sense of humour • Ability not to lose childlike fun

  13. Issues to Consider • AS is not inherently problematic • Yet people with AS face many problems in society • People with AS seem to have huge pressures to change and adapt • Societal adaptation and changes in the PNT is far more sensible

  14. Luke Beardon Senior Lecturer in Autism The Autism Centre Sheffield Hallam University L.Beardon@shu.ac.uk

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