Do I have Asperger's Syndrome?

Dear Reader,

Before getting into the specifics of diagnosing Asperger's, there's another important "condition" to be aware of. It's called Intern's Disease, a condition that many medical and psychology students "come down with" as they study various disorders. The gist of it is that, as a person learns about signs, symptoms, and syndromes it is very common to begin diagnosing oneself with conditions that aren't actually present. Before jumping to conclusions about having Asperger's Syndrome, you may wish to consider other possible conditions, including "Intern's Disease."

Perhaps throughout the course of your research, you have come across the term "autistic spectrum" or AS. Diagnostic labels can sometimes be misleading in that they imply that either you have a certain condition, or you don't. Sometimes, a spectrum viewpoint can be more accurate. Asperger's is thought to be on the mild end of autistic spectrum, similar to high-functioning autism. Some signs of Asperger's can include:

• A lack of empathy for others
• Trouble with nonverbal communication (eye contact, body language)
• Clumsy movements, trouble with visual-motor skills
• Difficulty forming friendships, one-sided social interactions, social isolation
• Intense, repetitive, interest in particular topics such as TV shows, weather, small details, or parts of objects

No one knows the exact causes of Asperger's, but genetic factors seem to play a role. Signs typically emerge in childhood. Even if you are hesitant to tell your close family about your concern, perhaps you can ask them about patterns in your childhood. Did you have trouble making friends? Did the adults in your life have any concerns about your emotional or social development? If so, why? Did they ever consult any therapists or physicians about such concerns?

Asperger's can be difficult to diagnose. The difficulty in diagnosis relates primarily again to this notion of a spectrum. While some cases of autism or Asperger's may be clear cut, for others, it can be hard to tell where to draw the line between "normal" and "abnormal" personality quirks. It may be helpful to ask yourself if your daily functioning at work, school, or in social situations seems to be impaired. There is no cure for autism-like conditions, but there are treatments that can help build social skills. Cognitive behavioral therapy is the name given to a series of techniques that can help curb some of the difficult or stressful tendencies that can come along with autism or Asperger's. Seeing a health care provider or counselor may be helpful if there are aspects of yourself that you wish to change or areas in which you'd like to grow. Students at Columbia can make an appointment at Counseling and Psychological Services if they have concerns about Asperger's or any other issues by calling x4-2878. Try not to let the Asperger label overwhelm you, whether or not it actually applies. For more information, check out the Asperger Foundation or the Online Asperger Support Center.

Take care,