Editing Asperger syndrome (section)

== Prognosis ==
There is some evidence that children with AS may see a lessening of symptoms; up to 20% of children may no longer meet the diagnostic criteria as adults, although social and communication difficulties may persist.<ref name="Woodbury-Smith" /> {{As of|2006}}, no studies addressing the long-term outcome of individuals with Asperger syndrome are available and there are no systematic long-term follow-up studies of children with AS.<ref name="Klin" /> Individuals with AS appear to have normal [[life expectancy]], but have an increased [[prevalence]] of [[comorbid]] psychiatric conditions, such as major depressive disorder and anxiety disorders that may significantly affect [[prognosis]].<ref name="McPart2006" /><ref name="Woodbury-Smith" /> Although social impairment may be lifelong, the outcome is generally more positive than with individuals with lower-functioning autism spectrum disorders;<ref name="McPart2006" /> for example, ASD symptoms are more likely to diminish with time in children with AS or forms of autism sometimes described as "[[high functioning autism|high functioning]]".<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Coplan J, Jawad AF | title = Modeling clinical outcome of children with autistic spectrum disorders | journal = Pediatrics | volume = 116 | issue = 1 | pages = 117–22 | date = July 2005 | pmid = 15995041 | doi = 10.1542/peds.2004-1118 | s2cid = 8440775}}</ref> Most students with AS and forms of autism sometimes seen as "high functioning" have average mathematical ability and test slightly worse in mathematics than in general intelligence.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Chiang HM, Lin YH | title = Mathematical ability of students with Asperger syndrome and high-functioning autism: a review of literature | journal = Autism | volume = 11 | issue = 6 | pages = 547–56 | date = November 2007 | pmid = 17947290 | doi = 10.1177/1362361307083259 | s2cid = 37125753 | via = SAGE Journals}}</ref> However, mathematicians are at least three times more likely to have autism-spectrum traits than the general population, and are more likely to have family members with autism.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Baron-Cohen S, Wheelwright S, Burtenshaw A, Hobson E | title = Mathematical Talent is Linked to Autism | journal = Human Nature | volume = 18 | issue = 2 | pages = 125–131 | date = June 2007 | pmid = 26181845 | doi = 10.1007/s12110-007-9014-0 | s2cid = 11021156 }}</ref>

Although many attend regular education classes, some children with AS may attend [[special education]] classes such as separate classroom and [[resource room]] because of their social and behavioral difficulties.<ref name="Klin" /> Adolescents with AS may exhibit ongoing difficulty with [[self-care]] or organization, and disturbances in social and romantic relationships. Despite high cognitive potential, most young adults with AS remain at home, yet some do marry and work independently.<ref name="McPart2006" /> The "different-ness" adolescents experience can be traumatic.<ref name="Moran">{{cite journal| vauthors = Moran M |title=Asperger's may be answer to diagnostic mysteries|journal=Psychiatric News|year=2006|volume=41|issue=19|pages=21–36|doi=10.1176/pn.41.19.0021}}</ref> Anxiety may stem from preoccupation over possible violations of routines and rituals, from being placed in a situation without a clear schedule or expectations, or from [[Social anxiety|concern with failing in social encounters]];<ref name=McPart2006 /> the resulting [[Stress (psychological)|stress]] may manifest as inattention, withdrawal, reliance on obsessions, hyperactivity, or aggressive or oppositional behavior.<ref name=Myles /> Depression is often the result of chronic [[frustration]] from repeated failure to engage others socially, and [[mood disorder]]s requiring treatment may develop.<ref name="McPart2006" /> Clinical experience suggests the rate of suicide may be higher among those with AS, but this has not been confirmed by systematic empirical studies.<ref>{{cite book|title=Asperger's Disorder|veditors=Rausch JL, Johnson ME, Casanova MF|publisher=Informa Healthcare|year=2008|chapter=Asperger syndrome – mortality and morbidity| vauthors = Gillberg C|pages=63–80|isbn=978-0-8493-8360-1}}</ref>

Education of families is critical in developing strategies for understanding strengths and weaknesses;<ref name="Baskin" /> helping the family to cope improves outcomes in children.<ref name=Tsatsanis /> Prognosis may be improved by diagnosis at a younger age that allows for early interventions, while interventions in adulthood are valuable but less beneficial.<ref name="Baskin" /> There are legal implications for individuals with AS as they run the risk of exploitation by others and may be unable to comprehend the societal implications of their actions.<ref name="Baskin" />