Asperger’s Syndrome

What is Asperger’s syndrome?

Asperger’s syndrome was a diagnosis healthcare providers used before 2013. It described what providers viewed as a different type of autism. Now, both Asperger’s and autism fall under the broader umbrella of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Asperger’s isn’t a medical diagnosis anymore. Most people with a previous diagnosis of Asperger’s have what providers today call “level-one autism.” This means they need a low level of support in their daily lives. But everyone’s different, and some people diagnosed with Asperger’s may need more support than others.

Asperger’s might be a strong part of your identity if you were diagnosed before the medical language changed. For example, you might think of yourself as having Asperger’s rather than ASD. You might use the term “aspie” to describe your identity.

That’s partly why the language changed. The autism spectrum includes a range of features and abilities. An ASD diagnosis is flexible enough to allow everyone on the spectrum to get the support that’s right for them.

Asperger syndrome symptoms

Signs of Asperger’s traditionally fell into three main groups:

Social interaction:

• Trouble using nonverbal communication like eye contact, facial expressions and body language in social situations
• Difficulty building relationships with peers
• Not seeking out others to share things they find enjoyable or interesting
• Difficulty engaging in back-and-forth social interactions, like conversations

Communication:

• Difficulty starting or keeping up a conversation
• Repetitive use of certain phrases or expressions
• Less make-believe play than expected for their age

Restricted, repetitive or stereotyped interests and behaviors:

• Unusually strong interest in specific topics, like baseball stats or how airplanes work
• Needing to follow strict routines
• Repeated movements (stimming), like hand twisting or flapping, humming or body rocking
• Fascination with an object’s parts

Former criteria for an Asperger’s diagnosis

The DSM-IV-TR (an older version of the DSM-V-TR) stated that a person needed to meet all of the following criteria for an Asperger’s diagnosis:

• At least two symptoms from the social interaction category
• At least one symptom from the restricted/repetitive/stereotyped interests and behaviors category
• Possibly some symptoms from the communication category
• Trouble doing daily tasks (like learning or making friends) due to symptoms
• No delay in developing cognitive or adaptive skills
• No delay in meeting early language milestones (this means they used single words by 2 years of age and phrases by 3 years of age)
• Not meeting the criteria for another pervasive developmental disorder or schizophrenia

Healthcare providers usually diagnosed Asperger’s in children. But some people didn’t get a diagnosis until adulthood. If you think you might be on the autism spectrum, it’s never too late to reach out to a healthcare provider and seek a diagnosis.

Is there an Asperger’s test?

There’s no test for Asperger’s because it’s not a diagnosis that providers use anymore. You might find some adapted tests online that draw on surveys providers previously used. It’s hard to know if what you’re finding online is current or accurate. To get the most accurate advice, make sure to talk to a healthcare provider.

Today, pediatricians screen for ASD at toddlers’ routine well-checks. When you bring your child for their appointment, your pediatrician will ask you to fill out a form and then discuss your responses. If your pediatrician notices signs of ASD, they’ll refer you to a specialist for further observations and discussions.

What causes Asperger’s syndrome?

Experts don’t know exactly what causes ASD. But they believe it’s a combination of genetics and environmental factors.

The diagnoses that now fall under ASD — including Asperger’s — are all considered neurodevelopmental disorders. If you have a neurodevelopmental disorder, you have brain differences that shape how you think, act and engage with the world around you.

Is Aspergers genetic?

Yes. Experts believe gene changes play an important role in causing ASD. These gene changes often pass down within biological families (they’re inherited). But they can also occur for the first time in a child without any family history of ASD.

What should I know about Asperger’s syndrome treatment?

ASD is a brain difference, not a disease. So, providers don’t “cure” it. Rather, they offer support and may recommend therapy for managing any challenges you face in your daily life. A range of therapies are available, and you and your provider work together to decide what’s best for your needs.