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Understanding Asperger Syndrome

Asperger Syndrome:
The Social-Cognitive Deficit

• Theory of Mind


• Verbal & Non-Verbal Communication


• Psychological, Emotional and Behavioral Response


• Interventions and Strategies

Theory of Mind

• Difficulty with perspective


• Can't explain or read own behavior


• Unique intuitive skills


• Rigid expectations of others/hypervigilance


• Immature understanding of emotions


• Limited contextual understanding


• Literal thinking and communication


• Blatant honesty

Communication: Verbal Expression

• Literal processing and communication


• Difficulty with perspective and reciprocity


• Adherence to detail and sequence


• Voice modulation issues


• Difficulty with conversation transitions


• Hyper/hypo verbal


• Odd use of language from pragmatics to pedantic

Communication Challenges: Physical

• Poor eye contact


• Limited and/or inappropriate use of expressive gestures


• Awkward and inappropriate body language


• Difficulty reading/interpreting social cues


• Failure to understand and adhere to physical prompts and instructions within social context


• Emotional and cognitive response to physical transitions

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