Autism and Asperger's Syndrome
By: Justine Hernandez
What is Autism?
Autism is a type of brain disorder that affects a person's behavior and social interaction skills. You can usually identify the symptoms of autism between the age of 12-18 months. The main cause of Autism is genetics. Autism is different for everyone, meaning they all learn in their own way. "Many people with Autism also have unusual ways of paying attention, and reacting to different sensations." (What is Autism? AutismScienceFoundation 2015).
What is Asperger's Syndrome?
Asperger's Syndrome is one of the five Autism spectrum disorders. It is very similar to Autism but there are many more symptoms. For example, sensitivity to loud noises, or wanting to not be touched. It affects their social skills as well as understanding how people interact. Those who have Asperger's Syndrome want to be able to connect with people the way everyone else does, but don't have the skills to do so. "Their IQ’s are typically in the normal to very superior range."(What is Asperger's Syndrome? ASPEN 2015).
Quotes
- "My name is Christopher Boone. I know all the countries of the world and their capital cities and every prime number up to 7,057." (Haddon, 2). This quote shows that he has a formal type of speaking that is advanced for his age, and his interest in one particular thing.
- "I do not like people shouting at me. It makes me scared that they are going to hit me or touch me and I do not know what is going to happen." (Haddon, 4). This quote tells us how he doesn't like loud noises, being touched, and that he likes to know what is going on before anything happens.
- "And I like timetables because I like to know when everything is going to happen." (Haddon 155). This tells us about his Autism, the way he likes to learn, and how he likes to be organized.
- "I don't like it when Rhodri laughs at me. Rhodri laughs at me a lot. Father says it is being friendly." (Haddon, 67). This tells how he doesn't understand how people express their feelings.
- "This will not be a funny book. I cannot tell jokes because I do not understand them." (Haddon, 8). This tells us about how he cannot understand how other people interact with jokes.