Asperger Syndrome and the Development of Social Competence

S.E. Gutstein and T. Whitney, Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, Fall 2002, page 161 - 171.

The hallmark of Asperger Syndrome is a failure to develop social competence despite relatively normal language and cognitive development. Extensive research in this area points to a deficit in a key area of social development - experience-sharing relationships- as the primary factor in limiting the social development of individuals with Asperger's Syndrome. Experience sharing appears to develop in a manner different from attachment and instrumental interaction. The authors review the critical components of experience sharing, relate them to the specific social deficits found in children and adolescents with Asperger's Syndrome, then propose factors in developing a relationship intervention program that would incorporate these essential components.