Welcome To Asperger's Syndrome - A Different Ability

299.80 in the DSM-IV defines Asperger's Syndrome this way:

 

Diagnostic Features

The essential features of Asperger's Disorder are severe and sustained impairment in social interaction (Criterion A) and the development of restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, and activities (Criterion B) (see p. 66 in Autistic Disorder for a discussion of Criteria A and B). The disturbance must cause clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning (Criterion C). In contrast to Autistic Disorder, there are no clinically significant delays in language (e.g., single words are used by age 2 years, communicative phrases are used by age 3 years) (Criterion D). In addition, there are no clinically significant delays in cognitive development or in the development of age-appropriate self-help skills, adaptive behavior (other than in social interaction), and curiosity about the environment in childhood (Criterion E). The diagnosis is not given if the criteria are met for any other specific Pervasive Developmental Disorder or for Schizophrenia (Criterion F).

 

I am a 50 year old adult woman with Asperger's Syndrome. I was diagnosed at the age of 40. I write about and am interested in most anything to do with Asperger's Syndrome with two more specific focuses - that of adults with Asperger's in general and even more specific than that adult women with Asperger's.

It is very important when reading about Asperger's Syndrome and/or trying to figure things out in your own asperger life or that of someone you love and care about to keep in mind that not everyone with Asperger's is the same and that not ever aspect of how it defines applies to completely to everyone. Each and every one of us aspies has our own individuality and will vary in the degree to which we experience the various defining traits of Asperger's Syndrome.