Firesetting in an adolescent boy with Asperger's syndrome

Abstract

Firesetting in children and adolescents is commonly associated with other antisocial acts that comprise conduct disorders. Asperger's syndrome is a rare pervasive developmental disorder. In the case presented we argue that the firesetting arose from the disabilities inherent in Asperger's syndrome. This also indicates that antisocial acts may be symptoms in other psychiatric syndromes as well as a specific conduct disorder.