Asperger syndrome: An introduction

Hans Asperger (1906-1980) lived and worked in Vienna. He qualified as a doctor and specialised in paediatrics. His work brought him into contact with a number of boys who found it difficult to ‘fit in’ socially. In addition to their poor social interaction skills, the boys had difficulties with the social use of language, together with a limited ability to use and understand gesture and facial expression. Also evident were repetitive, stereotypical behaviours, often with ‘abnormal fixations’ on certain objects.