What Is Asperger’s Syndrome? By Wendy Rose Gould linkedin Wendy Rose Gould is a lifestyle reporter with over a decade of experience covering health and wellness topics. Learn about our editorial process Wendy Rose Gould Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Akeem Marsh, MD on November 26, 2020 twitter linkedin Akeem Marsh, MD, is a board-certified child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist who has dedicated his career to working with medically underserved communities. Learn about our Review Board Akeem Marsh, MD Updated on December 24, 2020 Print Verywell / Bailey Mariner Table of Contents View All Table of Contents What Is Asperger’s Syndrome? History Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment What Is Asperger’s Syndrome? From 1994 to 2013, Asperger's syndrome existed as a distinct category in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and was considered one of five pervasive developmental disorders. In 2013, due to inconsistencies in the diagnostic criteria, Asperger's was folded into one general category for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Since U.S. practitioners can no longer officially diagnose someone with Asperger's syndrome, anyone who was given that diagnosis prior to that year is now considered to have autism spectrum disorder. Though no two people are ever identical, the core issue of those on the spectrum—including people diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome—is difficulty with social interactions. That might present itself as an inability to communicate clearly, read others’ emotions, and/or clearly express oneself. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, LPC, a psychologist and pediatric mental health expert told Verywell, “Asperger’s is referred to as a ‘high functioning’ autism because individuals [typically] have less severe symptoms and don’t have speech delays. Generally speaking, individuals with Asperger’s have at least average intelligence, with many being well above average in specific areas. They do, however, display the same core issues as those with autism." Autism results from a complex combination of genetic and environmental factors. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1 in 54 children are diagnosed with autism.Asperger’s, specifically, is estimated to affect 37.2 million people across the world. History Asperger’s is named after the Viennese pediatrician, Hans Asperger. Back in the mid-1940s, he noted a recurring theme of social struggle in some of his patients. These patients often found it difficult to make new friends, struggled to comprehend typical social cues and emotions, and often had fixations on certain topics that would lead to one-sided conversations. For many years, Asperger’s syndrome was considered its own isolated disorder. Capanna-Hodge says, “In 2013, it was folded into the broader category of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) when the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) was updated and it is no longer considered a separate disorder.” Timeline and the History of Autism Symptoms Those with Asperger’s syndrome display a wide range of functioning across cognitive, social, and communication domains. These signs also vary according to age and gender. Symptoms in Young Children Though it’s less common, largely because it’s difficult to detect, some children can be diagnosed with Asperger’s even before they turn three years old. Some common signs include: Loss of previously acquired speechDelays in speech, babbling, or social functioningDelayed processing or learningLimited eye contactNo response to their name being calledLittle or no desire to interactLow activity levelsNo back and forth smiling or engagementLack of facial expressionsExtreme irritabilityFixation on certain objects Symptoms in All Ages In addition to the aforementioned symptoms, Cappana-Hodge says that older children and adults might also experience the following signs: Delayed language developmentLack of reciprocal communication skills Sensory processing difficulties, including under or overstimulated reactions to sensory stimuli (sounds, smells, tastes, textures, lights and/or colors)Avoidance of eye contactDifficulty with back and forth body language, facial expressions, and gesturesAvoidant behaviors and general lack of engagement with othersDifficulty comprehending other people’s feelingsStruggles with time managementPersistent repetition of words or phrases (echolalia)Resistance and reaction to minor changes in routine or surroundingsRestricted interestsFixated interestsRepetitive behaviors, such as flapping, rocking, and spinning When to Tell an Adult "You May Be Autistic" Diagnosis Diagnosing someone on under the spectrum of autistic disorders is done by identifying observed (and reported) carefully defined clinical symptoms. Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2) “The process largely consists of clinical interviews and observations and behavioral rating scales. Sometimes one-to-one assessments are conducted that look at social, cognitive, behavioral, and emotional functioning, as well as learning,” notes Cappana-Hodge. “While there is technically no [universal] assessment measure, The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2) is often considered the gold standard.” According to Cappana-Hodge, the ADOS-2 is a loosely structured, standardized assessment instrument which helps guide the evaluator on the specific topics of communication, social interactions, and restricted and repetitive behaviors that are associated with ASD diagnosis. Under-Diagnoses of Females with Asperger’s Syndrome Originally, Hans Asperger made these cognitive observations about boys, so it was believed that primarily boys were affected. Today, we know that Asperger’s syndrome presents itself in both boys and girls, and that it is not a “one size fits all” disorder for anyone. According to the Asperger/Autism Network (AANE), because of that original and perpetuated belief, girls and women are often diagnosed less often. When they are diagnosed with Asperger’s, it is often much later in their life compared to boys—this is still true even today. This is largely because they were either misdiagnosed with other disorders, or the Asperger's is missed entirely by professionals since it doesn’t present itself in a typical fashion. The AANE also notes that girls with Asperger's may prefer solitary versus social situations, demonstrate an aversion to what's considered typically feminine, and work hard to camouflage social anxiety via imitation of others or fantasy escapism. Like boys and men, she might also have an intense fixation on certain topics, including literature, animals, and the arts. There are also racial-ethnic disparities associated with the diagnosis. Specifically, Black children are less likely to be identified and when they are, it is more likely to be identified later in life. Treatment There is technically no medication that specifically treats Asperger’s syndrome. However, many people with Asperger’s are prescribed medications in an effort to remedy some of the most common symptoms, which include difficulties with focus, anxiety, mood, and obsessive-compulsive behaviors. While medications can help, it’s exceedingly helpful for those diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome to engage in various therapies. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, LPC Behavioral therapy, parent coaching, social skills training, occupational, physical, and speech therapy, as well as evidence-based integrative therapies such as nutrition and neurofeedback have all been found to be effective treatment options for those on the autism spectrum. — Roseann Capanna-Hodge, LPC Capanna-Hodge adds that the single most important thing that a parent can do if they think their child is on the autism spectrum is to get their child early intervention. Additionally, “Formal and ongoing social support is pivotal for both the immediate social development of children and their longterm integration into the world,” she says. “People with autism have a better quality of life when they are able to incorporate the things that they are highly interested in into their jobs and lives, as this helps them integrate into the world in a much more positive and natural way.” A Word from Verywell Anyone diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome can enjoy a high-quality, thriving, joy-filled life. It’s important to identify and diagnose the disorder as early as possible and to participate in necessary therapies that will help provide the ultimate tool set for navigating the world. Are Asperger's Disorder and Social Anxiety Disorder the Same? Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Learn the best ways to manage stress and negativity in your life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Ohan JL, Ellefson SE, Corrigan PW. Brief report: the impact of changing from dsm-iv ‘asperger’s’ to dsm-5 ‘autistic spectrum disorder’ diagnostic labels on stigma and treatment attitudes. J Autism Dev Disord. 2015;45(10):3384-3389. doi:10.1007/s10803-015-2485-7 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Data & Statistics on Autism Spectrum Disorder. Updated September 25, 2020. GBD 2015 Disease and Injury Incidence and Prevalence Collaborators. 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