What is Asperger's Syndrome? Currently Asperger's Syndrome is placed in the "autistic" category. Doctors and professionals in the field usually refer to it as a form of "high functioning autism" (HFA). Individuals with Asperger's Syndrome tend to have an IQ ranging from above average to genius, and there is much speculation Einstein and many other scientists, musicians and prodigies in history have had Asperger's Syndrome.
The main characteristics of a person with Asperger's is a thorough (almost encyclopedic) knowledge in one or several specific subject(s) and in many cases a special skill or ability (extraordinary math or linguistic abilities). This however is often combined with a difficulty understanding human social interaction, a difficulty dealing with change and changing environments, hypersensitivity to stimuli such as light, noise and pain, and motor skills may be less developed than the norm. Many Asperger's individuals have a problem remembering faces (what's known as face-blind).
There is often a lack of understanding and ability to prioritize external stimuli, causing an inability to differentiate between a mild offense and a huge injury. This coupled with a lack of understanding of social interactions leads Asperger's sufferers to need to consciously plan their social behavior in advance. The innate ability to translate human body-language and non-verbal cues is simply not there for them.
Diagnosed with Asperger's only six months ago, the Painter Erich J. Pries uses Art as Therapy. His work can be seen at the Katerina Gallery in Greenlawn, NY.
72 Broadway map
Greenlawn, New York
(631) 262-0100
Other Asperger's Syndrome Support Sites on Long Island:
www.aha-as-pdd.org Advocates for Individuals with Higher Functioning Autism, Asperger's Syndrome and other Pervasive Developmental Disorders
Contacts:
Pat Schissel, President - Nassau Support: 516-484-8404; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Bernice Polinsky - Adult Issues:631-269-5709; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Pat Long - Suffolk Support: 631-363-6033
web site: www.aha-as-pdd.orgAdult Asperger's Social Group
For high functioning adults ages 18 to 40 Contact: by e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Or by telephone, Johnathan Cooper CSW 516-486-5776
Organization for Autism Research
The Doug Flutie Junior Foundation
The Asperger's Passport Project
The Environmental Working Group report on Mercury Exposure and Autism.
Autism Speaks
The Coalition for SafeMinds (Sensible Action For Ending Mercury-Induced Neurological Disorders)
USATODAY.com - John Schneider promotes Asperger's Syndrome awareness
The Centers for Disease Control's National Immunization Program has a page devoted to the correlation between vaccines and autism provides information on ongoing research.
Institute Of Medicine Immunization Safety Review: Examines the hypothesis that thimerosal-containing vaccines, specifically the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine are a possible cause of autism.
The David Center
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