Facts First

  Prevalence:                    Data is lacking is not definitive.

  Characteristics:            The essential features of Asperger's Disorder are severe and sustained 
                                           impairment in social interaction and the development of restricted, repetitive 
                                           patterns of behavior, interests, and activities.  There are no clinically 
                                           significant delays or deviance in language acquisition, although more
                                           subtle aspects of social communciation may be affected.  There are no 
                                           clinically significant delays in cognitive development during the first 3 
                                           years of life.  

                                          The child may spend an inordinate amount of time on a spefic topic of 
                                          interest (i.e., Dinosaurs, Outerspace, Tractors, etc).

  Causes:                        No known causes.