ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a case of a 12-year-old girl who is brought by her parents to the general practitioner surgery. Her mother is concerned that in year 7 at secondary school she has no friends. In the surgery her eye contact is poor, and she has a tendency to turn to her mother when the GP asks her a question. She is smartly dressed in a tracksuit, and noticeably has no zips. There is no evidence of any psychomotor retardation, or any psychotic phenomena. The most likely diagnosis is Asperger syndrome. This is on the autism spectrum of conditions, and involves social reciprocity problems, delay in imagination skills and repetitive or stereotyped interests and behaviours. Children and young people with Asperger syndrome can be happy and successful given the right support and environment, so education and career pathways are very important. Allowing them to develop their interests and supporting them in their productive interests can be helpful and rewarding.
