asperger's syndrome

Tony Attwood: From my clinical experience I consider that children and adults with Aspergers Syndrome have a different, not defective, way of thinking.The person usually has a strong desire to seek knowledge, truth and perfection with a different set of priorities than would be expected with other people. There is also a different perception of situations and sensory experiences. The overriding priority may be to solve a problem rather than satisfy the social or emotional needs of others.The person values being creative rather than co-operative.The person with Aspergers syndrome may perceive errors that are not apparent to others, giving considerable attention to detail, rather than noticing the “big picture”.The person is usually renowned for being direct, speaking their mind and being honest and determined and having a strong sense of social justice.The person may actively seek and enjoy solitude, be a loyal friend and have a distinct sense of humour.However, the person with Aspergers Syndrome can have difficulty with the management and expression of emotions.Children and adults with Aspergers syndrome may have levels of anxiety, sadness or anger that indicate a secondary mood disorder. There may also be problems expressing the degree of love and affection expected by others. Fortunately, we now have successful psychological treatment programs to help manage and express emotions.