Frequently Asked Questions

The Answers to

Frequently asked questions:

We meet on the second Wednesday of each month, at the same time and place. Sometimes we have an invited speaker and sometimes we have general discussion. Most of our meetings involve general discussion.

Click here for a common-sense definition of Asperger's Syndrome by Barb Kirby or here for the definition (diagnostic criteria) from the DSM-IV, the diagnostic "bible." There are several other diagnostic criteria, as from the World Health Organization, Gilberg & Gilberg, and Szatmari et al. Our group sees such diagnostic criteria as working hypotheses that can help clarify discussion and guide treatment but that will change as new research occurs and so is not wedded to a single one of them.

All folks interested in Asperger's Syndrome are welcome. But note that this is a group specifically for the parents of children (of whatever age) with Asperger's Syndrome or related disorders. People with Asperger's themselves are encouraged to attend AGUA, Adult Gathering, United and Autistic or AGUA Classic. Here is information about both groups:

AGUA (Adults Gathering, United and Autistic). AGUA is a self run support and social group for adults with a diagnosis of either autism or Asperger's Syndrome. Contact Arthur Ringwalt at (818) 840-9592 or email him at arthur122@earthlink.net. Meetings are held on the third Saturday of every month at 1:00 p.m.

AGUA (Adults Gathering, United and Autistic) Classic. AGUA Classic is a friendly self-advocacy support group for adults with autism or Asperger's Syndrome. Meetings are held on the first Saturday of the month, location varies. Contact Ken Brewer at (323) 296-2646 or Derrick Hall at (323) 850-4434 for information. For more description and the answers to Frequently Asked Questions, click here. E-mail: aguaclassic@earthlink.net.

Reporters or researchers who want to attend our meetings should talk to Jim or Fran beforehand (at 310/543-5064 note change). Fran’s office phone is 323/671-3831, while Jim’s is 310/338-2948.

For other support groups in the Los Angeles area, including those for parents of children with classical autism, click here.

For our group discussion, we believe (to quote Tony Attwood) that the difference between Asperger's Syndrome and high-functioning autism, HFA) is that they're spelled differently. Most discussions outside of academic research seminars concerning the differences between them are a waste of time. (Click here to see the comparison from the Autism Society's home page.) AS and HFA are neighboring parts of the same spectrum, like indigo and violet. They also seem similar to "Pervasive Development Disorder-NOS" and "Non-Verbal Learning Disorder." People with AS often have other symptoms, such as attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder and depression.

There are no membership requirements or fees for attendance. Of course, the bringing of pastries is always appreciated.

We are not a 12-step or a "recovery" group. Rather, our group provides a place where parents can give information and support to each other. Everything said will be held in the strictest of confidence.

Fran and Jim are not MDs or Ph.D.s in psychology but are parents of a child with Asperger's. Fran is a professional health educator, while Jim is a professional economist who has his own tendencies toward Asperger's. He will tell you all about them at length in a tedious monotone if you make the mistake of asking him about them. ;-)

For a wealth of information on Asperger's syndrome, see Barb Kirby's OASIS web page at http://www.udel.edu/bkirby/asperger/ or reader-friendly books on Asperger's by Tony Attwood and by Brenda Smith Myles & Richard L. Simpson.

(written by Jim Devine)

Please e-mail me at jdevine@lmumail.lmu.edu if you have any questions or comments -- or if you want to be put on our e-mailing list. If you want information put on our web pages, contact me.

This page revised by Jim Devine on March 21, 2008.