Autism and Asperger were first observed by Dr. Leo Kanner of Johns Hopkins Hospital of Baltimore in 1943 . Dr. Hans Asperger of Vienna reported 4 similar cases in 1944 . Although they researched independently and hardly knew about each other , both used the Greek root " autos " – meaning " self " – in " autism " . Not long after , Dr Asperger's clinic was bombed by an Allied forces plane , while for 40 years , Dr Kanner kept publishing articles in his country's psychiatric journals . His articles carried much weight in the field .

Though Dr. Asperger died relatively unknown in Europe in 1980 , British doctor Dr. Lorna Wing took on his initiative in the next year , and attributed great natural gift to the Asperger's Syndrome . In 1991 ( a decade later ) , she translated Dr Asperger's article into English . It was Dr. Kanner who classified autism as a subset of schizophrenia and incorporated it into the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder in 1980 . In 1994 , in the wake of Dr Wing's and others' efforts , Asperger's syndrome was formally listed in DSM – 4th Edition .

Autism is caused by neuro-defects affecting a child's learning , communicative , language , sensory and interpersonal development . It can be diagnosed usually after 1 - 1/2 to 2 years of age .

According to Child Assessment Services ( Department of Health of Hong Kong ) , about 23 out of 10,000 children of the age 2 to 5 year old are autistic in Hong Kong in the year 2004 . ( Some countries, like the US , have a rate of 1:500 in the year 2000 . )

Nil.

Male : Female ratio as 4 : 1 .

Cause unknown .

Unknown , under study .

About 2/3 of autistic children have below normal intelligence level .

The mentally handicapped children have slow language development , and capable of only reaching the level of their mental age . Due to language development impairment , more than half of the autistic can neither speak nor have functional speech . Even the speaking ones have much difficulties with grammar , expression and comprehension .

So far no drugs have been found to be a cure for autism . But research from around the world show that the most helpful is intensive , systematic one-to-one training .

Generally speaking , autistic children are visual learners with short attention span . Therefore , tools can be made in accordance with a child's ability , such as pictures , along with symbols and words , to enhance their ability to express themselves .

The behaviorial problems are caused by different factors , such as a child's responsiveness to the environment , ability to cope , etc . Ref : Behavior Correction , Ch. 7 , 衝破障礙 .

Not all have . Only about 2-3% are high-function children who might be gifted in music , painting , mathematics or visual memory .

They look the same as us except their weird behaviourial symptoms such as rocking hands/body , self-stimulation , etc .

No , it is a kind of neuro-defect and unrelated to emotional , psychological states or parental apathy .

Usually nil . But peope with physical impairment might also be autistic .

Asperger Syndrome – the autistic with language ability , high IQ and learning ability , with interpersonal skill problems, usually diagnosed later , after 6 years of age .

• Autism
• Autistic Features
• Pervasive Developmental Disorder PDD
• Asperger
• Rett Syndrome

Diagnostic Criteria :

• DSM-IV Diagnostic Criteria For Autistic Disorder
• DSM-IV Diagnostic Criteria For Asperger's Disorder
• ICD10

Diagnostic Tools :

• Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS)
• Autism Diagnostic Interview -Revised (ADI-R)
• Checklist for Autism Toddlers (CHAT)
• Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS)
• Psycho-educational Profile-Revised (PEP-R)

• Behavioral
• communication
• self-care
• cognition
• social interaction
• sensory co-ordination
• muscle co-ordination

a. Interpersonal Relationships

• The autistic lack ability in knowing about their self and handling social interaction . Since childhood , they have been anti-social , unresponsive , lacked eye contact with others , rejected physical contacts , had difficulty establishing close relationships with family members , unable to learn through imitation , play with other children , understand others' feelings , or express their own feelings in socially acceptable ways , confining themselves to their own world .

b. Speech and Communication Hindrance

• They have varying degrees of difficulty in understanding normal modes of communication like speech , gesture , body language and non-verbal expression . About 50% of the autistic children have no speech ability ; those capable of speech tend to have parrot repetition , confusion of pronouns , monotone voice , and cannot answer questions properly .

c. Stubborn and Repetitive Behaviour

• They tend to have set ways of doing things , unlike that of ordinary children , eg in dressing or playing games . They are fixated on a narrow range of hobbies and ways of life , resistant to changes and decorations .

It can not be cured by any drugs , but the following types of therapy are useful :

• Behavioural – improve cognitive ability and reduce problem behaviour
• Speech – overcome communication and speech difficulties
• Occupation – sensory and muscle co-ordination
• Physiotherapy – muscle co-ordination activity
• Education – intensive structured learning

For serious hyperactivity , self-harm and destructive behaviour , the following might help :

• Medication – can help a person calm down and soothe signs of unease .
• Special Diet – Reduction in dairy / oat products can only help reduce hyperactivity in a small number of children .

( Ref : Yolanda Wong 衝破障礙 2000 , Breakthrough Press . )