Are Aspergers Gifted?

Over the years, researchers have fre- quently noted that many individuals with exceptional gifts manifest autistic-like behaviors. Further, an increasing number of individuals with autism or Asperger's are identified as being gifted. These twice-exceptional learners are in good company.

Can you have Aspergers and be gifted?

The Disorder

There is no doubt that a gifted child can have Asperger's Disorder and that this combination has a profound impact on both social interactions and schooling (Amend & Schuler, 2004; Cash, 1999; Neihart, 2000).

Are Aspergers children gifted?

AS children are described as having quite a range of abilities, as are gifted children. It was Asperger's observation that all children with the disorder seem to have “a special interest which enables them to achieve quite extraordinary levels of performance in a certain area” (p. 45).

What geniuses have Aspergers?

Can you have Aspergers and be smart?

Those with Asperger's syndrome, in contrast, must by definition have suffered no cognitive delay during their first 3 years of life. This means that they will usually have at least a “normal” IQ. In some cases, their IQ may be very high, even in the genius range. There are, however, different kinds of smarts.

Asperger's Disorder, and Other Common Misdiagnoses and Dual Diagnoses of Gifted Children

Is Aspergers a good thing?

Most Aspies: are able to easily forgive others. are conscientious, reliable, and honest. are enthusiastic and have a propensity for obsessive research, thus developing a broad and deep base of knowledge in subjects of interest.

How does an Asperger's mind work?

One popular theory is that people with Asperger's syndrome and other autistic disorders lack a "theory of mind" — the intuitive understanding that others have their own thoughts and feelings. As a result, they cannot imagine their way into the minds of others to anticipate their responses.

Does Stephen Fry Aspergers?

Celebrities with Asperger's Syndrome Include Tim Burton, Stephen Fry and Albert Einstein. American director and producer Tim Burton from iconic films Edward Scissorhandsand Beetlejuice is confirmed to have Asperger's syndrome, as does famous British comedian Stephen Fry.

Who has Asperger's syndrome celebrities?

Can you have autism and be a genius?

You might not realize that many people with autism are also geniuses. They excel in certain areas, from mathematics and technology to music. Find out what an autistic savant is.

Can giftedness be mistaken for autism?

Giftedness can lead to misdiagnosis

Children who are gifted may have behaviors that look like ADHD or autism. “One of the things we know about gifted children almost universally is that they are intense,” says psychologist James T. Webb, who specializes in them.

What do adults with Aspergers do?

Some adults with Asperger profiles develop an understanding of the world around them, a framework of how and where they do or don't fit in; they learn and apply skills and strategies to use in particular situations, anticipate and manage upsetting sensory input.

At what age is Aspergers usually diagnosed?

Most cases are diagnosed between the ages of five and nine, with some diagnosed as early as age three.

What happens to untreated Aspergers?

Some of the effects of unaddressed or untreated Asperger's syndrome may include: Social isolation. Difficulty making and keeping friends. Challenges in finding and maintaining steady employment.

Is giftedness on the spectrum?

Both giftedness and autism fall on a spectrum, so while there may be individuals who clearly fit into one box or another, some behaviors might be more ambiguous and require additional information, context, or professional opinions.

How do I know if I am gifted?

How do you know if someone has Aspergers?

Symptoms of Asperger's, or “autism spectrum disorder,” include rarely changing facial expression, not making eye contact when speaking to others, talking incessantly about a single topic and not noticing that others are not listening, standing too close to others, inability to determine when another person is joking, ...

Can you outgrow Aspergers?

It's something you outgrow

It's not uncommon for people to dismiss the behavior of a child with Asperger's Syndrome as nothing more than antisocial tendencies which will be outgrown. While a child may develop skills to cope, Asperger's is a lifelong condition.

Is Aspergers hereditary?

Scientists have confirmed that variations in a particular gene play a key role in the autism spectrum condition known as Asperger Syndrome. They have also found that variations in the same gene are also linked to differences in empathy levels in the general population.

What famous celebrities have autism?

What causes Asperger's syndrome?

What causes Asperger's syndrome? No one thing causes Asperger's syndrome. However, research suggests that certain factors during pregnancy and after birth may put a child at higher risk of an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis.

What mental health problem does Stephen Fry have?

“Back then, bipolar disorder was a totally misunderstood condition: a condition that people really did not want to talk about. But Stephen opened up with humour and empathy about himself and his rollercoaster of a life.”

Are Aspergers loyal?

Honesty and loyalty – People with Asperger type personalities tend to demonstrate these valued and appreciated qualities to a high degree, but Aspies are also known for being very direct (blunt even) and speaking their mind.

Does Aspergers show up on a brain scan?

Tracking Brain Activity in Asperger's Patients. Results of the functional and diffusion MRI scans showed that compared with people with no cognitive problems, people with Asperger's syndrome: Have increased activation in the brain network that governs attention.

Is Aspergers an intellectual disability?

Another distinction between Asperger's Disorder and autism concerns cognitive ability. While some individuals with autism have intellectual disabilities, by definition, a person with Asperger's Disorder cannot have a “clinically significant” cognitive delay, and most possess average to above-average intelligence.