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Article: Outside looking in: researchers open new windows on Asperger syndrome and related disorders.
- Article from:
- Science News
- Article date:
- August 12, 2006
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2006 Science Service, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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In 2003, neuroscientist Matthew K. Belmonte documented the daily lives of a pair of 13-year-old identical twins with an unusual bond. Both twins have Asperger syndrome, a disorder related to autism and characterized by social cluelessness, repetitive behavior, and unusually narrow interests. Intriguingly, one of these intelligent, genetically alike boys displays a much more severe version of Asperger syndrome than the other does.
The twin with the lesser difficulties--call him Brian--can play with other kids but feels anxious and shy with people he doesn't know. When Brian joins in conversations, he sometimes asks inappropriate questions or suddenly stops ...