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The Journal of School Nursing
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Feature Article

Understanding and Caring for the Child With Asperger Syndrome

Marcia Rubenstein Gardner, RN, CPN, CPNP, MA

Marcia Rubenstein Gardner, RN, CPN, CPNP, MA, is a clinical assistant professor at the School of Nursing, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Stratford, NJ. She is a student in the PhD program in the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing and a Leadership in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities fellow at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Nurses in a variety of settings encounter children with the unfamiliar diagnosis of Asperger syndrome (AS). This disorder, which falls clinically along the autism spectrum, is receiving increasing attention because of its inclusion in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) as one of the pervasive developmental disorders. The characteristic features of AS include deficits in social skills, atypical understanding of and use of pragmatic language, behavior problems, and a restricted set of interests. Cognitive abilities vary, and some children with AS have high intelligence. In addition, many children with AS have other conditions, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Tourette’s syndrome, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and depression. The disorder can result in significant functional difficulties in the home, school, and community contexts. A case study highlights the features of AS, and a related individualized school health care plan demonstrates the school nurse’s role in family and staff education, monitoring for comorbidities, behavioral management, medication management, support to family members, and referral.

Key Words: Asperger syndrome • autism • pervasive developmental disorder • school nursing

The Journal of School Nursing, Vol. 17, No. 4, 178-184 (2001)
DOI: 10.1177/10598405010170040201
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