The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome

by Anthony Attwood

Very young children with Asperger’s syndrome have a clear end-product in mind when playing with toys; however, they may fail to communicate this effectively to a playmate, or tolerate or incorporate the other child’s suggestions, as this would produce an unanticipated outcome. For example, the child with Asperger’s syndrome may have in mind while playing with construction equipment the mental image of the completed structure, and be extremely agitated when another child places a brick where, according to the mental image, there shouldn’t be a brick. The typical child, meanwhile, does not understand why his or her act of cooperation is rejected. The young child with Asperger’s syndrome often seeks predictability and control in play activities while typical peers seek spontaneity and collaboration.