1. What Is So Good About Asperger Syndrome? Sheffield Hallam University 30th June 2008

2. What is an Impairment? We are led to believe that individuals with AS are 'impaired' in certain areas We are led to believe that individuals with AS are 'impaired' in certain areas Is this accurate – or is it a 'majority rules' judgement? Is this accurate – or is it a 'majority rules' judgement? Is the skill set of the PNT really so wonderful? Is the skill set of the PNT really so wonderful? Could an AS manner of behaving be far more sensible and rewarding? Could an AS manner of behaving be far more sensible and rewarding?

3. Areas of Difference Social behaviour Social behaviour Verbal Communication Verbal Communication Non verbal communication Non verbal communication Theory of Mind Theory of Mind Executive functioning Executive functioning Central coherence Central coherence Sensory processing Sensory processing Obsessions Obsessions

4. Social Behaviour People with AS are not unsociable People with AS are not unsociable The PNT make very little logical sense The PNT make very little logical sense Social niceties could be seen as banal, utterly incomprehensible and a waste of energy – really, what is the point and get to the point! Social niceties could be seen as banal, utterly incomprehensible and a waste of energy – really, what is the point and get to the point! People with AS can socialise with one another perfectly well People with AS can socialise with one another perfectly well

5. Verbal Communication Literal interpretation is simply accuracy Literal interpretation is simply accuracy Being pedantic is being linguistically honest Being pedantic is being linguistically honest If we actually said what we mean (and meant what we said) then life would improve considerably If we actually said what we mean (and meant what we said) then life would improve considerably

6. Non Verbal Communication...leads to misinformation, confusion, and lack of clarity – for all of us...leads to misinformation, confusion, and lack of clarity – for all of us Would you prefer everything to be clear expressively and receptively – or prefer doubt, uncertainty, and stress? Would you prefer everything to be clear expressively and receptively – or prefer doubt, uncertainty, and stress? The dreaded first date...snog or no snog? The dreaded first date...snog or no snog?

7. Theory of Mind People with AS do not lack a Theory of Mind People with AS do not lack a Theory of Mind Or, the PNT lack a Theory of Mind Or, the PNT lack a Theory of Mind It is cross neurological boundaries where the problems arise – not because of any deficit in people with AS It is cross neurological boundaries where the problems arise – not because of any deficit in people with AS Is lying really such a great thing? Is lying really such a great thing? Do you like being able to trust? Do you like being able to trust?

8. Executive Functioning Allows for detailed planning Allows for detailed planning Order over chaos Order over chaos Knowing what happens when, for how long and in what order is logical and sensible Knowing what happens when, for how long and in what order is logical and sensible Reduction in wasted time Reduction in wasted time

9. Central Coherence Meticulous attention to areas of interest Meticulous attention to areas of interest Detail is important Detail is important Ability to remain focussed Ability to remain focussed Provision of a wonderful balance with the gestalt led PNT Provision of a wonderful balance with the gestalt led PNT

10. Sensory Processing (Almost) unbelievable senses (Almost) unbelievable senses Sheer joy in processing Sheer joy in processing Perceptual beauty – not a bad thing Perceptual beauty – not a bad thing

11. Obsessions Intense passions Intense passions Vocations Vocations Having an 'obsession' can be a wonderful thing Having an 'obsession' can be a wonderful thing

12. Other Aspects Sense of fairness Sense of fairness Burning desire for justice and rightness Burning desire for justice and rightness Sense of humour Sense of humour Ability not to lose childlike fun Ability not to lose childlike fun

13. Issues to Consider AS is not inherently problematic AS is not inherently problematic Yet people with AS face many problems in society Yet people with AS face many problems in society People with AS seem to have huge pressures to change and adapt People with AS seem to have huge pressures to change and adapt Societal adaptation and changes in the PNT is far more sensible Societal adaptation and changes in the PNT is far more sensible

14. Luke Beardon Senior Lecturer in Autism The Autism Centre Sheffield Hallam University L.Beardon@shu.ac.uk