DUEL BETWEEN TALENT AND DISABILITY : A CASE OF ASPERGER‘S SYNDROME

Introduction/ Objective: Asperger Syndrome (AS) is characterized by impairment in social interaction and communication skills or stereotyped behaviors. Although there is an isolated diagnosis in ICD, the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders fits the AS inside the autistic spectrum. Its etiology is yet poorly understood and it is suggested the possibility of genetic basis. The goal is to present the contradictory relationship between linguistic and cognitive ability and significant difficulties in social interaction of patient with SA, stressing the role of Family Medicine in care. Method: Case report held at the Municipal Health Center Professor Julio Barbosa in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Woman, 19 years old, Brazilian Sign Language teacher, describing "mental disorder", anguish and sadness. History of visual and auditory hallucinations, as well as former suicide attempt. She presents wordy speech with elaborate vocabulary, demonstrating affective flattening and limitation in understanding figurative language. Her ease with linguistic knowledge seems inversely proportional to the social and interpersonal skills. The mental health specialist orientation is triggered to multidisciplinary approach. Management includes: active listening, person centered approach, encouraging resilience, psychotherapy and drug therapy. Results / Conclusions: The consultations are effective for patient, family and staff. The link provides hosting, emotional comfort, improved social interactions and prospect of new horizons, ensuring the principles of primary care. The person-centered approach and the multidisciplinary care boost patient with SA to take their place in society competently and independently, bypassing problems in interpersonal relationships.