アスペルガー症候群

Girl diagnoses herself with Asperger's after reading book

アスペルガー症候群（－しょうこうぐん、Asperger syndrome: AS）は、興味・関心やコミュニケーションについて特異であるものの、知的障害がみられない発達障害のことである。「知的障害がない自閉症」として扱われることも多いが、公的な文書においては、自閉症とは区分して取り扱われていることが多い。精神医学において頻用されるアメリカ精神医学会の診断基準 (DSM-IV-TR) ではアスペルガー障害と呼ぶ。

A 10-year-old girl diagnosed herself with Asperger's syndrome after reading a book about the condition.

By Paul Stokes
Last Updated: 4:41PM GMT 17 Nov 2008

Rosie's six-year-old brother Lenny was diagnosed with Asperger's four years ago and their parents Richard, 43, and Sharon, 38, were keen for her to understand his perspective.

As she and her mother turned the pages of the book by Karen Leigh Simmons and came to a section on Asperger's, Rosie suggested: "I think this might be me."

Mrs King, 38, a school lunch supervisor, from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, said: "We couldn't believe it. It all started to make sense.

"We always knew Lenny was autistic, since he was diagnosed when he was really young. Their behaviours are completely opposite to one another, Lenny barely says a word and is very awkward around people, and lacks any social intent, whereas Rosie has always been highly sociable.

"She could be a little peculiar, but more than anything we thought she was just a very sociable and happy child."

Rosie's sister, Daisy, eight, shares her chattiness, but has Kabuki syndrome - a rare condition that produces developmental abnormalities, such as shortness of bones, as well as learning and behavioural difficulties.

Mrs King added: "We obviously kept an eye on Rosie because of her siblings' conditions but when she blurted that out we took her straight to the specialist for some tests."

She and her husband Richard, 43, a civil engineer, immediately took her to see a speech therapist, child psychologist and behavioural therapist.

Rosie was officially diagnosed with mild Asperger's Syndrome thee months ago after a year-long process.

The condition is an autistic disorder which can cause communication and emotional problems.

Mrs King explained: "Some children with Asperger's find it very difficult to communicate with people around them, but Rosie is so inquisitive and always wants to know what's going on around her.

"We are thankful the book allowed her to seek help. At least we know what we are dealing with now and can help her when she needs it.

"Rosie is only 10 but she takes on a lot of responsibilities for someone her age. She always helps to look after Daisy and Lenny and she never complains about it.

"I feel very privileged to have a family like ours, life can be a bit stressful at times but I wouldn't change anything for the world, all three of them are amazing."

Rosie is a positive child, describing her Asperger's as an ability rather than a disability, and is now doing well at school especially in English and Literacy.

She said: "I want to make a film and I'd like to do that when I'm little and then become an inventor.

"I have also written 11 books and I love art. I like having Asperger's, it makes me different from other people and gives me a great imagination.

"I don't mind helping out with Lenny and Daisy. I love my brother and sister and wouldn't change them for anything."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/3472774/Girl-diagnoses-herself-with-Aspergers-after-reading-book.html

アスペルガー症候群（－しょうこうぐん、Asperger syndrome: AS）は、興味・関心やコミュニケーションについて特異であるものの、知的障害がみられない発達障害のことである。「知的障害がない自閉症」として扱われることも多いが、公的な文書においては、自閉症とは区分して取り扱われていることが多い。精神医学において頻用されるアメリカ精神医学会の診断基準 (DSM-IV-TR) ではアスペルガー障害と呼ぶ。

http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%A2%E3%82%B9%E3%83%9A%E3%83%AB%E3%82%AC%E3%83%BC%E7%97%87%E5%80%99%E7%BE%A4#.E3.82.B3.E3.83.9F.E3.83.A5.E3.83.8B.E3.82.B1.E3.83.BC.E3.82.B7.E3.83.A7.E3.83.B3.E4.B8.8A.E3.81.AE.E4.B8.BB.E3.81.AA.E7.89.B9.E5.BE.B4