DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF THE AUTISTIC SPECTRUM DISORDER AND ASPERGER SYNDROME

Abstract

The aim of the paper was to described substantial symptoms making possible a clinical differential diagnosis of autism and Asperger syndrome. Those differences do not me rely reflect the intensification of negative features but that Autism and Asperger syndrome are separate syndromes, which, however, share a common spectrum of symptoms. Making a differential diagnosis is essential due to different therapeutic and educational needs of children suffering from those syndromes. The most evident differences are language and communication, manipulative behaviours, social relations as well as manual skills. The first important difference is language, which has been neglected so far since the research concentrated on communication and its disorders. While language is of a high diagnostic value that allows early identification of symptoms specific for Asperger syndrome. The second difference is a very high level of manipulative behaviours in Asperger syndrome which leads to disorders in social functioning of such individuals. Therefore, dealing with manipulation is a significant therapeutic task. At the same time, manipulative behaviours occurring in Asperger syndrome should be distinguished from resistence manifested by autistic children. Moreover, children with Asperger show a need of social relations despite considerable lowering of social competencies, and failures to communicate provoke the intensification of deviant behaviours. Finally, children with autism and Asperger syndrome vary in the level of manual skills. Though initial picture may be very similar, the potential of people with Asperger syndrome for gaining proper graphomotor skills is considerably higher due to the lack of deep disorders in motor planning.