Need assistance with choosing a Thesis Paper topic!

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Hey everyone,

I have been diagnosed with Asperger's at age 12 by a neurologist.

I need to write a 25 page thesis paper for one of my honors classes in college. I would love to do it on Asperger's.
However, I need help with choosing a good and relevant topic!

So far I thought of:

1. Differentiating Asperger's and Autism
2. Efficiency of Therapy on Repetitive behaviors and interests.
3. Treatment of individuals on the Spectrum over time.

I would appreciate your input.
Thanks!

Given that Asperger's is no longer a separate diagnosis according to the latest DSM, it would probably be hard to find current sources to use for your first topic, so I'd go with the 2nd or 3rd. If you really wanted to do something more along the lines of the 1st idea, you could probably do something like differing levels/types of autism on the spectrum, but I don't know how universal the classifications are.

To pick between the 2nd and 3rd options, I'd do some preliminary research and see which would be easiest to turn into a 25-page paper (which one is an appropriate size topic, has the right amount of research available, etc.).

Great points!

I'd think topic 3 would be easier to write about, time to go paper hunting lol

Thanks!

Asperger's still exists under the IC-10, though not under the DSM-V

Asperger's is something which is on the autistic spectrum, and is considered a form of autism. It is not separate.

A good topic might be comparing "high-functioning autism" and Asperger's. It is stated, at times, that people with HFA have relative strengths in the visual-spatial aspects of things; whereas people with Asperger's have relative strengths in the verbal realm. This corresponds to strengths in "performance IQ" (on IQ tests) within those with HFA and strengths in "verbal IQ" within those with Asperger's.

Related to this is the association between Asperger's and "non-verbal learning disability" (NVLD).

All this is theoretical, of course.

Thank you for the great reply!

Will take it into consideration when finalizing a topic.

Which aspects of autism are you most interested in? You could do a paper on sensory problems, specific adaptations which help (service dogs, SSI, school/work accommodations, etc.), the known neurology of autism, causes for specific social problems, there are a lot of possibilities.

Well, most people reading your paper will probably be NT's. I was thinking something like :

AS vs NT : Similarities and Differences

You could touch on the different levels of the spectrum, comorbid conditions both AS and NT can have, communication problems, successful and unsuccessful marriages, how AS is passed on, possible causes, treatments, some famous people with AS and what they have done with their lives, etc. Make it a broad topic so you can cover several things. I thought the NT thing would make NT's more interested and want to read it.

How AS is passed on genetically is vague and theoretical. There is not one "autism" gene.

It is theorized that certain genes cause people to be on the Spectrum--but that hasn't been proven conclusively, I don't believe.

I'd personally choose the third one. At the moment there's something like an upswell on interest in autistic history, with books like Neurotribes and A Different Key being discussed. Steve Silberman seems like an approachable guy, if you really wanted to interview him for your thesis he might go along with it.

Your second question seems interesting, but it also seems too broad for a 25 page thesis as there's a wide range of approaches take could be described as therapy. I'd make it more specific, narrow it down to ABA therapy or CBT therapy.