Expert: James Michael Roan - 9/19/2006

Question
What are "the 7 Questions to ask" when you suspect a person may have Aspergers. I am a Learning and Behaviour support person and I have come across this " 7 Questions to ask"  but cannot find the questions--have you heard of this?  If not can you clarify simply for me the key differrences between  ADD; ADDH; Autism; ASD; and PDD  and the significant educational features--sand strategies to assist this group of students.  (Some agood quality  articles, etc)
referrences  etc.  

Answer
Hi Liam;

This is a tall order to fill of which only part I can help you with.

1. ADD refers to Attention Deficit Disorder without hyperactivity.

2. ADHD refers to Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity.

3. ASD refers to the umbrella Autism Spectrum Disorders under which you find severe and moderate autism, Asperger's Syndrome (AS), high functioning autism (HFA), and Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS).

4. Asperger's Syndrome (AS), high functioning autism (HFA), and Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)are all one in the same.

Autism and related disorders include (1) significant social interaction delays/impairments; (2)significant communication delays/impairments;and, (3) stereotyped and/or repetitive behaviors also defined as an unusually narrow range of interests.

To work with students on the spectrum you have to study everything you can get your hands on for at least two years. For Asperger's read Tony Attwood. For social delays ranging from social aversion to social incompetence see Simon Baron-Cohen and/or Michelle Garcia-Winner. For an autism perspective from someone with autism see Temple Grandin.

I'm happy to help you with specific questions.

Kind Regards,
James