SPECIFICS OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN ASPERGER'S SYNDROME: A CASE REPORT

Abstract

Asperger's disorder belongs to the spectrum of autistic disorders and is considered highly functional autism. The main features of the syndrome are motor awkwardness, difficulties in social communication, stereotypical actions, hypersensitivity and specific interests. The aim of this research was to gain insight into the life circumstances of people diagnosed with Asperger 's syndrome. The paper presents the case of a sixteen-year-old boy J.K. from Banja Luka who was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome at the age of nine (F.84 - Pervasive developmental disorder). All behaviors specific to Asperger syndrome are significant, except for characteristic interests that were not observed. Social development went smoothly in the periods of kindergarten and primary education, there are certain problems of social adjustment to new life circumstances after finishing primary school. The significance of this paper is reflected in raising awareness of the problems of life of people with this diagnosis.