Students with Asperger Syndrome: How They Compare with Students in Other Autism Subgroups and What Can Be Done to Support Them in Higher Education
Almasoud, حنان علي عبدالعزيز المسعود hanan . 2010
The focus of this paper will be with Asperger syndrome and how to meet their special
needs in higher education. As part of the teaching staff in the Special Education
Department at King Saud University, I hope that this paper will be a valuable source of
information and a guide for teaching staff in Saudi colleges and universities who want to
increase their knowledge about this condition and make their practice more professional
and efficient. This consequently will reflect positively on the achievement and progress of
our students with Asperger syndrome in Saudi colleges and universities.
The paper will first illustrate the characteristics of Asperger syndrome by giving some
definitions written by professionals in the field and by individuals who have Asperger
syndrome. Second, a comparison will be made between Asperger syndrome and other
subgroups of autism (autistic disorder, Rett's disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder,
and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) in order to
show the similarities and differences between them. Third, some difficulties that face
individuals with Asperger syndrome in adulthood will be discussed especially those
difficulties associated with their academic life in college and university. Finally, diagnosis
services and support for students with Asperger syndrome at Saudi colleges and
universities will be discussed and mentoring advice will be given to teaching staff in terms
of how to offer the right assistance to students affected by this condition in order to help
them to achieve and succeed as other students do.
