Kids With Asperger's Syndrome: 'Bullied on a Daily Basis'
By JOHN DONVAN, CAREN ZUCKER and ERIC JOHNSON
April 4, 2007 —
Growing up, Daniel Corcoran was the odd kid at school. He wasn't slow, but his coordination was off, and he tended to obsess on certain subjects, like light bulbs and air conditioners. At the time, his preoccupations with random objects seemed quirky, but harmless.
But when Corcoran entered middle school, his quirks were not accepted by many of his classmates and his life became a social nightmare filled with name calling and other cruelties.
Corcoran is now out of middle school and a sophomore at Ramapo College in Mahwah, N.J. His uncomfortable encounters persist, especially after taking the dangerous step of "coming out," as he puts hit, with his condition. Corcoran has Asperger's syndrome, and his decision to announce the disorder yielded mixed results from his peers.
Asperger's syndrome is characterized by social isolation and eccentric behavior during childhood. "It means my brain is different," Corcoran said.
Twelve-year-old Noah Orent also has Asperger's, and like Corcoran, he's mild-mannered and began to get bullied at an early age.
"I was just merely called 'Game Boy freak' or stuff. There was one kid that was the worst. He just called me names and he was not nice," Noah said. "He was mean -- mean to the bone. I was so mad that I couldn't let out my anger. I was just like hiding it. I just didn't feel like being at that school anymore."
'Bullied on a Daily Basis'
Noah is not alone, and some school systems are working on a solution to the social angst that affects many with the disorder. Jed Baker, a psychologist who works with many kids with Asperger's, found out the situation for kids with the disorder was very severe.
"In some areas, there have been reports of 90 percent of kids with Asperger's are getting bullied on a daily basis," he said.
Baker consults for the Milburn New Jersey Middle School, which has stepped up its focus on children with Asperger's and other conditions. His primary mission is to build a healthy social network of these kids. At Milburn, he partners children with Asperger's with volunteers from the student body.
"Building social skill groups, where we're creating an atmosphere of an accepting peer groups so these kids don't feel isolated," Baker said. "They have people who are at least friendly to them."
Working with what were once called the "uncool kids" has become a cool thing to do, and kids like Noah don't get picked on. "I was learning about basically just how to make friends and stuff," Noah said. "I mean, at my old school I never had many friends."
"When we moved, I was so happy to be finally away from them. I felt better," he said. "So then I started here and now I'm having a lot of friends. I like the school, the staff, even Dr. Baker. And I'm having a good time."
'Trying Too Hard'
As for Daniel Corcoran, it's too late to go back to middle school, but he's grown content with where he is now.
"I couldn't be happier, you know," Corcoran said. "I could be, but I mean this is, I haven't felt like in this amazing frame of mind since who knows when. It seems like all dreams start to come true."
And while he has grown up in many ways, he still sometimes has bad days. Women and romance now perplex Corcoran as much as the bullies who once tormented him, and the Asperger's is sometimes to blame.
"The thing that I realized -- I have to stop doing what's called trying too hard," he said. "Trying to force a conversation with a girl even if she's not fully interested in talking, asking too many questions, showing signs of being nervous, maybe."
Corcoran said he was building the confidence that was often absent in those with Asperger's.
"As long as I stand my ground, and I am who I'm supposed to be, and I get to love myself for who I am -- others are really really going to love me too," Corcoran said. "I really do think some people are going to like me. And I'm convinced I'm going to meet somebody really special one day."
If Corcoran can picture that day, so can those who have known him all his life. Fitting in while standing out -- it isn't always easy for anyone but some have to work harder to get there.
Copyright © 2007 ABC News Internet Ventures
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Excellent resources for parents, teachers, siblings and friends.
Do you have a loved one with Asperger's Syndrome
What is Asperger's syndrome?
What is Asperger's Syndrome?
If you have met one child with Asperger's, you have met one child with Asperger's. That's how difficult it is to describe this condition. But I will try.
Asperger Syndrome is a neurobiological disorder. AS has been recognized as a distinct medical condition in Europe for almost 60 years, but has only been included in the U.S. medical diagnostic manual since 1994.Individuals with AS exhibit serious deficiencies in social and communication skills. Their IQ's are typically in the normal to very superior range. They are usually educated in the mainstrream, but most require special education services. Because of their naivete, those with AS are often viewed as "odd" by their peers and are frequently a target for bullying and teasing.They want to fit in socially and have friends, but have a great deal of difficulty making effective social connections. Many of them are at risk for developing mood disorders, such as anxiety or depression, especially in adolescence.
Characteristics of Asperger Syndrome
Each person is different. An individual might have all or only some of the described behaviors to have a diagnosis of AS.
-Marked impairment in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as: eye gaze, facial expression, body posture, and gestures to regulate social interaction.
-Extreme difficulty in developing age-appropriate peer relationships.
-Inflexible adherence to routines and perseveration.
-Fascination with maps, globes, and routes.-Superior rote memory.
-Preoccupation with a particular subject to the exclusion of all others.
-Difficulty judging personal space, motor clumsiness
-Sensitivity to the environment, loud noises, clothing and food textures, and odors.
-Speech and language skills impaired in the areas of semantics, pragmatics, and prosody (volume, intonation, inflection, and rhythm).
-Difficulty understanding others' feelings.
-Formal style of speaking; often called the "Little Professor" Syndrome.
-Extreme difficulty reading and /or interpreting social cues.
-Socially and emotionally inappropriate responses.
-Literal interpretation of language, difficulty comprehending implied meanings.
-Extensive vocabulary. Reading begins at an early age (hyperlexia).
-Stereotyped or repetitive mannerisms.
-Difficulty with "give and take" of conversation.
If you have met one child with Asperger's, you have met one child with Asperger's. That's how difficult it is to describe this condition. But I will try.
Asperger Syndrome is a neurobiological disorder. AS has been recognized as a distinct medical condition in Europe for almost 60 years, but has only been included in the U.S. medical diagnostic manual since 1994.Individuals with AS exhibit serious deficiencies in social and communication skills. Their IQ's are typically in the normal to very superior range. They are usually educated in the mainstrream, but most require special education services. Because of their naivete, those with AS are often viewed as "odd" by their peers and are frequently a target for bullying and teasing.They want to fit in socially and have friends, but have a great deal of difficulty making effective social connections. Many of them are at risk for developing mood disorders, such as anxiety or depression, especially in adolescence.
Characteristics of Asperger Syndrome
Each person is different. An individual might have all or only some of the described behaviors to have a diagnosis of AS.
-Marked impairment in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as: eye gaze, facial expression, body posture, and gestures to regulate social interaction.
-Extreme difficulty in developing age-appropriate peer relationships.
-Inflexible adherence to routines and perseveration.
-Fascination with maps, globes, and routes.-Superior rote memory.
-Preoccupation with a particular subject to the exclusion of all others.
-Difficulty judging personal space, motor clumsiness
-Sensitivity to the environment, loud noises, clothing and food textures, and odors.
-Speech and language skills impaired in the areas of semantics, pragmatics, and prosody (volume, intonation, inflection, and rhythm).
-Difficulty understanding others' feelings.
-Formal style of speaking; often called the "Little Professor" Syndrome.
-Extreme difficulty reading and /or interpreting social cues.
-Socially and emotionally inappropriate responses.
-Literal interpretation of language, difficulty comprehending implied meanings.
-Extensive vocabulary. Reading begins at an early age (hyperlexia).
-Stereotyped or repetitive mannerisms.
-Difficulty with "give and take" of conversation.
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