Syndrome d’Asperger : un diagnostic précoce dans une entité syndromique discutée ?

Abstract

The trend currently observed goes towards regrouping all various autistic syndromes under one unique category, the autism-spectrum disorder. Asperger's syndrome could therefore disappear from the international classifications for mental illnesses. Indeed, the lack of general consensus on Asperger's definition is by essence an argument against the syndrome's own existence. Moreover, the distinction between Asperger's syndrome and high level autism is blurry for the least. The differences between the two disorders are measurable in terms of symptomatic intensity rather than in terms of truly distinctive symptomatic profiles, which also argues in favor of the continuity of the autism-spectrum. Several years separate the appearance of the first autistic symptoms and the final diagnosis for autism, especially for Asperger's as it is defined today. However, the first clinical signs of autism occur/manifest during early childhood. Thus, taking a closer interest at the child's psychomotor development could favor an early diagnosis of Asperger's syndrome. Movement, which can be defined as the first sign of language, could therefore be used as a mean to diagnose and study the different types of autistic disorders. Even if no early signs of Asperger syndrome manifest, parents should nonetheless react in the same manner as autism (i.e. by setting up tools of adaptation to socialization very early). The primary benefit of early diagnosis is foremost the higher efficiency of early treatment.