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Asperger's syndrome: who is being abused?
1Maudsley Hospital, Denmark Hill, London.
Archives of Disease in Childhood
|June 1, 1991
Summary
Six children diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome were initially referred for poor functioning and potential abuse. Inpatient assessment revealed unmet emotional needs, not abuse, leading to the diagnosis and impacting parental relationships.
Area of Science:
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Presents six case histories of children admitted to a psychiatric unit due to concerns of poor functioning and possible emotional abuse.
- Initial assessments suggested children were well-functioning, with parents not meeting their emotional needs.
Observation:
- Children presented with a formal, concrete thinking style.
- Difficulty in identifying and understanding human emotions and relationships was a key characteristic.
Findings:
- All six children were diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome after detailed inpatient evaluation.
- The diagnosis highlighted underlying neurodevelopmental differences rather than emotional abuse.
Implications:
- Discusses the impact of the Asperger's syndrome diagnosis on parental understanding and relationships.
- Explores parental willingness to engage with professionals following the diagnosis.
- Emphasizes the importance of thorough diagnostic assessment in differentiating neurodevelopmental disorders from abuse concerns.