Five Syndromes Related to Autism

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention states that one out of 150 children will be diagnosed with autism. Autism is a disease with a wide variety of symptoms and affects each individual differently.

In addition to Autism, scientists have discovered five other syndromes that are part of the autism spectrum, but are different. Each of these five syndromes, although related to autism, are distinctive different disorders. They include Asperger Syndrome, Fragile X Syndrome, Landau-Kleffner Syndrome, Rett Syndrome and Williams Syndrome. All five of these syndromes are characterized by difficulty in socialization.

Asperger's Syndrome was identified in 1944 by Hans Asperger who, while studying children with Autism. These children had normal intelligence, but lacked empathy for others as well as non-verbal communication skills. These children tend to avoid eye contact, lack the ability to form friendships and tend to be "clumsy" as they lack motor skills. They often appear "blank," as they don't know how to use facial expressions in relation to their feelings.

The most common trait of those with Asperger's Syndrome is that they tend to overly concentrate on a particular subject or task, almost to the point of obsession. Someone with Asperger's Syndrome may doggedly pursue a particular game and, as they get older, theories or ideas. Children with Asperger's tend to be highly intelligent, however. They can be very successful in the working world, but will often be viewed by others as "eccentric." One very famous person with Asperger's is Bill Gates.