Alice Dumoulin
Age 16 | Sherbrooke, Quebec
To complete this research, an interview was conducted with Mr. Dumoulin, computer scientist and mathematician with “Dunin Technologie Inc.”, on the subject of Asperger’s (S. Dumoulin, personal communication, January 2020). It covers autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) that includes childhood disintegrative disorder, autism and lastly Asperger Syndrome. More than 1.4% of Quebec’s population has an ASD, and over 1.06% of the Canadian population is autistic. The purpose of this project is to better understand what this syndrome is, to better understand and explain this syndrome to the people around me and create a test to diagnose women having Asperger Syndrome, according to the features most commonly found in these patients in addition to their lived experiences.
ASPERGER SYNDROME
Individuals with Asperger Syndrome generally do not present any language delay or intellectual deficiencies. This syndrome is a genetic problem inciting neurological problems affecting the brain’s activity (Solano, 2014). Individuals who have Asperger Syndrome will eventually develop difficulties connecting the receipt and treatment of information. They have analysis problems that prevent their five senses (vision, hearing, touch, taste, and smell), their brain and their body from completely managing acquired information. They also have a different perception of life and of the world around them due to their different way of thinking. It is very important not to confuse Asperger Syndrome with a disease, as it is rather a neurodevelopmental condition. Asperger Syndrome is a syndrome with a large spectrum and its presentation is unique to each patient and have different intensities, so much so that it is said that there is a form of Asperger Syndrome for each person with the syndrome. The majority of people with Asperger Syndrome are verbal and very few are non-verbal.
DISCOVERY
Asperger Syndrome was discovered by Hans Asperger, an Austrian psychiatrist, in 1944. This syndrome has long been ignored, but in 1962, Bosch continued his studies on the syndrome. He published a study concerning the particularities of autism and Asperger Syndrome, in order to better differentiate them. In 1971, Van Krevelen, Wolf and Barlow, that later joined in 1979, pursued Bosch’s research, convinced that despite their similarities, Asperger Syndrome was indeed different from autism (Lussier, n.d.). Thanks to their efforts, Asperger Syndrome was officially recognized in 1994.
SYMPTOMS
Symptoms of Asperger Syndrome are visible as of three years of age. In fact, children with Asperger Syndrome are often of superior intelligence than the average and are perfectionists, but they are especially demanding. Individuals with Asperger Syndrome have great difficulty communicating, are sensitive to sensory stimulation (for example, tolerating loud noises) and have difficulty coordinating their movement. They also have difficulty understanding abstract concepts, irony, hidden meanings, the intentions of the people with which they are communicating, social conventions, and non-verbal language (for example, smiles and raised eyebrows). Because of these difficulties, these individuals will have difficulty making friends, listening to others, and controlling their emotions. They can also demonstrate very little to no empathy, trouble with non-verbal communication, unexplained mutism, controlled clumsiness, sensory intensity, and limits in their recreational activities. They often have passing obsessions and need a routine to function on a daily basis (Dumoulin, 2021).
UNDERDIAGNOSIS IN WOMEN
It is often said that men are more likely to be affected by Asperger Syndrome than women, in fact four times more likely, but this is partially untrue. This stereotype is due to a problematic diagnosis system. Women affected by Asperger’s are often underdiagnosed. Their Asperger Syndrome symptoms are often confused, and they are more often diagnosed with depressive episodes, anxiety or personality disorders. This incorrect diagnosis is due to the evaluation criteria, which are based on symptoms found in men rather than women. In addition, women are nicknamed “chameleon women” as they more easily adapt, hide, and repress their emotions and/or feelings.
DIAGNOSIS
It can take many years to confirm a diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome. Precision and accuracy in the diagnosis are essential to have the best possible support for the patient. Unfortunately, very few professionals can make a diagnosis. The more the diagnosis is precise, the easier it will be to find good methods to help the patient and prevent them from falling into depression. If the patient experiences many failures, anxiety or insecurity, they will have a lack of confidence in themselves and will be at higher risk of developing depression. A diagnosis will bring relief to the patient and those close to them as it will permit the individual with Asperger Syndrome to recognize, understand and value their uniqueness and their way of thinking. By way of the services put in place after this diagnosis, schooling and adapted support will be helpful.
CAUSES
Three different possible causes of Asperger Syndrome have been found. The first is the genetic cause. It is the most likely, as Asperger’s is a genetic problem inciting neurological problems affecting the brain’s activity. The second is the neurological cause and the last is an environmental cause (including contact with chemical substances, pollution, heavy metals, and infections during pregnancy), where Asperger Syndrome would be triggered by early exposure. The environmental cause is the only one where Asperger’s would not develop from birth.
NEUROLOGICAL DIFFERENCES
In individuals with Asperger’s, imaging studies demonstrate a dysfunction particularly affecting the frontal lobe and the temporal regions of the cortex, the “social brain” (Villar-Documet, n.d.). This will also create difficulty in coordinating movements, partially explained by a deficiency in the capacity to associate sensory inputs with the proper motor commands (Villar-Documet, n.d.) as that part of the cerebellum is affected.
Another difference between the brain of individuals affected by Asperger Syndrome and those unaffected is in a completely different way of analyzing information. For an individual with Asperger Syndrome, it will often be their sight that is their most developed sense. It will draw attention to the smallest details in the places they visit and will have a higher-than-average capacity for memorization. For a person without Asperger Syndrome, it would be their hearing.
The third difference that can be observed is the development of the left hemisphere of the brain. During the first four years of life of the individual, the hemisphere will be subjected to above average growth. Following this atypical growth, the individual will then develop Asperger Syndrome. Once the child reaches primary school age, the growth of this part of the brain will slow to below average to regain the brain’s balance. This abnormal growth will be observed as much in the gray matter (responsible for information processing) as in the white matter (responsible for communication between neurons) of the brain. The brain regions involved in social competencies, communication and motor skills will have increased growth in autistic children (Villar-Documet, n.d.). Because of this growth, the brain of children with Asperger Syndrome will be 17.6% (Radio-Canada, 2020) heavier than average.
In certain regions of the brain affected by Asperger Syndrome, an increase or decrease in connectivity can be found. This can induce a less active function, such that individuals with Asperger Syndrome cannot perceive the link between what they hear and see and what they already know as quickly (Villar-Documet, n.d.).
Neurons (responsible for transporting information) are much smaller and more numerous in an individual with Asperger Syndrome than in a person without Asperger Syndrome. The cells found also have a different constitution. This different constitution creates an imbalance during the migration of impulses, which explains the overstimulation and hypersensitivity in individuals with Asperger Syndrome (Villar-Documet, n.d.)
DIAGNOSTIC TEST FOR WOMEN POTENTIALLY AFFECTED BY ASPERGER SYNDROME
Are you a woman and believe you have ASPERGER’S? This test is for you!
Please note that if you believe yourself to have the syndrome, you must visit a specialist for a diagnosis to be provided. This test is NOT a diagnosis.
★ It is possible that most questions apply to you and you are not affected or the opposite, that nothing applies to you and yet you are. This is explained by the fact that each person has a different manifestations and intensity, such that there is a form of Asperger’s unique to each individual with Asperger’s.
★ This test is based on symptoms found in women, it is possible that if you are a man, that you recognize yourself in certain questions.
1) When you are in public, how do you feel?
❏ Good (1)
❏ Normal (2)
❏ Not good (3)
❏ I am not able to be in public (4)
2) Are you hypersensitive?
❏ Never (1)
❏ Rarely (2)
❏ Sometimes (3)
❏ Often (4)
❏ Always (5)
3) In your daily life, are you anxious?
❏ Never (1)
❏ Rarely (2)
❏ Sometimes (3)
❏ Often (4)
❏ Always (5)
4) Do you feel misunderstood by others?
❏ Never (1)
❏ Rarely (2)
❏ Sometimes (3)
❏ Often (4)
❏ Always (5)
5) Are you happier in a controlled environment such as your home?
❏ Never (1)
❏ Rarely (2)
❏ Sometimes (3)
❏ Often (4)
❏ Always (5)
6) Do you have stereotypies? (jumping, singing, dancing, balancing, …)
❏ Never (1)
❏ Rarely (2)
❏ Sometimes (3)
❏ Often (4)
❏ Always (5)
7) How often do you leave your house?
❏ Never (1)
❏ Rarely (2)
❏ Sometimes (3)
❏ Often (4)
❏ Always (5)
8) How many close friends do you have?
❏ 10+ (1)
❏ Between 7 and 9 (2)
❏ Between 4 and 6 (3)
❏ Between 1 and 3 (4)
❏ None (5)
9) Are you gifted?
❏ Yes (3)
❏ No (0)
❏ Unsure (0)
10) Do you have particular aptitudes or specific talents?
❏ Yes (3)
❏ No (0)
❏ Unsure (0)
Between 0 and 15 points
Very few traits typical of women with Asperger’s define you. It is very improbable that you are among individuals in this group!
Between 16 and 30 points
Certain traits typical of women with Asperger’s define you. It is improbable that you are among individuals in this group!
Between 31 and 45 points
Many traits typical of women with Asperger’s define you. It is very likely that you are among individuals in this group!
Asperger Syndrome is more present in our lives that we think, because it is often hidden, most often in women, as demonstrated above. The test found in this review allows only for an idea of traits in women. However, it is important to have a diagnosis as soon as possible to put measures in place in the daily life of the individual and allow them to have a better quality of life.
REFERENCES
Corniou, M. (2015, January 4). Asperger: Vivre en société quand on ne sait pas mentir. Québec Science. https://www.quebecscience.qc.ca/societe/asperger-vivre-en-societe-quand-on-ne-sait-pas-mentir/.
Dumoulin, A. (2021, January 17). L’asperger, c’est quoi?. Le journal étudiant du Mont. https://m.lemont.ca/lasperger-cest-quoi-partie-2/
Dumoulin, S. (January 2020). [Personal communication].
Fondation FondaMental. (2016, October 25). Le syndrome d’Asperger [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbvLARdmaU8
Imineo Documentaires. (2017, June 4). Asperger Syndrome - Documentary [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnxPJSVXqiY
Labbé, S. A. (2020, January 23). Le syndrome d'Asperger au féminin ou l'errance diagnostique chez la femme Asperger. Spectre de l’autisme.com. https://spectredelautisme.com/trouble-du-spectre-de-l-autisme-tsa/asperger-feminin/.
Le syndrome. (2020, February 6). Groupe Asperger. https://asperger.autisme.ch/syndrome
Lussier, F. (n.d.). Le syndrome d’Asperger: Particularités comportementales. CÉNOP. https://cenop.ca/troubles-comportement/troubles-spectre-autisme-tsa/syndrome-asperger-comportement.php
Nash, M. (2002, May 6). Les secrets de l’autisme. Fédération Québécoise de l’Autisme. https://www.autisme.qc.ca/tsa/lautisme-en-chiffres/les-secrets-de-lautisme.html
Phan Tom. (2019, September 23). Comprendre l’autisme [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFTV5bb2x9Y&fbclid=IwAR1cmsti7WQ9PGxx5atc2IJisi-RuedUiDQ_8JQwDfDNFsVk3iLt1ajKPeU.
Radio-Canada. (2020, November 9). Les particularités du cerveau autiste. https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/537938/autistes-cerveaux-grosseur
Rondot, M. (April 2017). Comment reconnaître un syndrome d’Asperger en 10 points?. Passeport Santé. https://www.passeportsante.net/fr/Actualites/Dossiers/DossierComplexe.aspx?doc=syndrome-asperger-autisme-communication#
Rudy, S. (2013). Tableau: Liste des traits caractéristiques des femmes Asperger. In L’Asperger au féminin: Comment favoriser l’autonomie des femmes atteintes du syndrome d’Asperger (E. Fleurot, Trans.). De Boeck. (Original work published 2010).
Solano, C. (June 2014). Syndrome d’Asperger. Passeport Santé. https://www.passeportsante.net/fr/Maux/Problemes/Fiche.aspx?doc=syndrome-asperger
Villar-Documet, R. (n.d.). L’autisme Asperger (TSA): Approche clinique, psychologique et Neurofeedback. https://www.rvd-psychologue.com/neurofeedback-le-cerveau-et-le-syndrome-asperger-tsa.html
Vinçot, V. (2019, January 21). Niveaux d'autisme: Symptômes et perspectives des niveaux de gravité 1, 2 et 3. Mediapart. https://blogs.mediapart.fr/jean-vincot/blog/210119/niveaux-dautisme-symptomes-et-perspectives-des-niveaux-de-gravite-1-2-et-3
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alice Dumoulin
I like to develop my knowledge of any subject. My greatest passions are singing and dancing. I have run an art company for nearly two years. I am someone that loves to learn. Asperger’s is a very captivating subject to me. This year, I am participating in science fair again to deepen my knowledge on the subject, but from a different angle. I like to relax in many ways, including reading articles on the human body or discovering another art form, the desire to learn is always there. :)