Teaching Gifted Learners Who Have Asperger\u27s Syndrome

Asperger\u27s Syndrome (AS) is a relatively recent term in education and psychology and has gained more interest since it became a recognized exceptionality in the United States in 1994. It is classified with autism under the term Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD). The primary criteria for diagnosis include linguistic, social, and behavioral challenges. Individuals with AS may function in the normal to above normal intelligence range. Just as traits of giftedness differ between learners, characteristics of AS may vary between individuals. While no two children with AS will show identical signs of this exceptionality, some common identification indicators have been established. This article discusses the learning challenges of gifted students with AS and the educational interventions appropriate for them