The diagnostic definition of Asperger syndrome (AS) is surrounded by debate and controversy, because it does not address many of the broader characteristics of individuals with AS. For example, neither the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition, nor the International Classification of Diseases , 10th revision, includes adaptive behavior deficits as part of the diagnosis of AS, yet many studies have reported adaptive behavior problems in people with AS. This study reviews eight empirical investigations of the adaptive behavior of individuals with AS in an effort to assess current research findings.
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