Asperger's Syndrome Diagnosis

Even after studies have been made, the cause for Asperger’s Syndrome (AS) still hasn’t been discovered. Although it does seem like it has something to do with genetics since a lot of the members of the family exhibit behaviors akin to AS. This includes relatives who show signs of eccentricity or are odd. Research shows how it is probable that all of the disorders in line with adult autism share the same genetic causes. Those who have AS disorders have been seen to have greater genetic bases than those with autism behavior. In a few cases, it has been observed that there has been contact with teratogens, which are responsible for defects at birth, several weeks after conception. Some theories also involve factors in the environment; however studies haven’t proven these yet.

People suffering from AS seem to have functional parts of their brains affected. Some studies on neuroanatomy as well as observed exposures to teratogens while the fetus is developing show that some link may exist with changes in how the brain works. This involves the neural circuitries responsible for how a person thinks or acts.

A study has demonstrated that people who have AS have neural systems that have exhibited delay in the development of their ability to imitate. There have also been some studies for abnormal imitative abilities due to activation progressions in the cortex.

Some other hypotheses are trying to figure out probable malfunctions when it comes to serotonin or the cerebellum.

During normal pediatric check-ups, the screening of the development process is crucial in finding early symptoms of abnormalities. These might be observed even at just thirty months. Some screening tools that have been used in diagnosing AS include the Aspergers Syndrome Diagnostic Scale or ASDS, the Childhood Asperger Syndrome Test or CAST, the Gilliam Asperger's Disorder Scale or GADS, the Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire or ASSQ, the Autism Spectrum Quotient or AQ and the Krug Asperger's Disorder Index or KADI. However, even though these are methods of screening, they have all not been proven to differentiate AS from other kinds of ASD.

U.S. and standard criterion for identifying AS criteria requires that there must be a marked inability to function well in a normal setting.

As for standard international criteria, a diagnosed case of Asperger’s Syndrome has to display:

Impaired interactions in society.

Repeated, stereotyped ways of behaving, actions and interests displayed without marked delays in speech and development of the cognitive faculties.

Usually, a child is diagnosed when he or she is at an age between four and eleven. By employing assessments in cognition, psychomotor functions, verbal and non-verbal abilities, a general and neurological diagnosis is made.

Improper identification happens frequently and this may cause trauma in an individual and members of the family. Medicine given due to an incorrect diagnosis could cause exhibited behaviors to get worse. When a diagnosis has not been made or if a misdiagnosis occurs, and it isn’t rectified until the adult stage, AS can become more problematic. This is due to the particular effects of AS being dependent on age. Diagnosing autism wrongly could indicate attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADSD instead. Delays also occur due to the expenses involved in making assessments.