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Schizoid Personality in Childhood

The Links with Asperger Syndrome, Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders, and Elective Mutism

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Asperger Syndrome or High-Functioning Autism?

Part of the book series: Current Issues in Autism ((CIAM))

Abstract

The aim of this chapter is to draw attention to a group of patients, not uncommonly seen in child psychiatric practice, who were diagnosed as having a schizoid personality disorder. They appear to be quite similar to the patients Asperger described (1944), but do not entirely fulfill current diagnostic criteria for Asperger syndrome (AS) (WHO, 1992), 1993); APA, 1994). The children’s impairments are less severe and their future outlook is much better than those of patients now given a diagnosis of AS. In addition, a few did have significant early language delays. In clinical practice it is important to recognise schizoid children so that their treatment and educational needs can be adequately met. The condition raises important questions about etiology and classification.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Formerly of the Department of Psychiatry, Royal Hospital for Sick Children and the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 1RL, Scotland

    Sula Wolff

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  1. Sula Wolff
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division TEACCH, Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599-7180, USA

    Eric Schopler  & Gary B. Mesibov  & 

  2. Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, Illinois, 61702-2900, USA

    Linda J. Kunce

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Wolff, S. (1998). Schizoid Personality in Childhood. In: Schopler, E., Mesibov, G.B., Kunce, L.J. (eds) Asperger Syndrome or High-Functioning Autism?. Current Issues in Autism. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-5369-4_7

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