Disclaimer: Human Health is not recommending any specific medical treatment for any particular symptom, nor providing any other medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor regarding any medical concern. Please note this list is not exhaustive.

What is Autism?

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by difficulties with social communication and interaction, restrictive interests, and repetitive behaviors. It affects everyone differently, and the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 1 in 100 children worldwide have ASD.

What is Asperger’s?

Asperger’s syndrome was first described in 1944 as a condition characterized by difficulties with social interaction and communication. In the past, Asperger’s syndrome was considered a sub-type of Autistic disorders, which were more broadly classified as ‘pervasive developmental disorders’.

How are they different?

Many neurological and psychiatric conditions are diagnosed and defined according to criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA). In the Fourth edition of the DSM (DSM-4) released in 1994, Asperger’s syndrome differed from Autistic disorder on the following criteria:

• No clinically significant delays or deviance in language acquisition
• No clinically significant delays in cognitive development within first 3 years of life

Put simply, the literature recognized Asperger’s syndrome as a milder form of Autistic disorder that had less significant functional effects on language and cognition.

However, with in 2013 a new edition of the DSM was published (DSM-5), in which this distinction was changed.

Based on more current scientific evidence, Asperger’s syndrome was incorporated (amongst other disorders) under the umbrella diagnosis of ASD. The new classification now specifies two core symptom domains, within which the characteristics of Asperger’s syndrome fall under:

• Deficits in social communication and interaction
• Restricted repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, and activities.

Click here to read an extended post about the reclassification of Asperger’s syndrome and other pervasive developmental disorders.

Does this mean Asperger’s syndrome isn’t a valid diagnosis anymore?

For individuals seeking a new diagnosis, those who fit the previous criteria for Asperger’s syndrome would likely be diagnosed with ASD. To accommodate for the variability in symptom severity and presentations within the spectrum of disorders now classified as ASD, there are now certain specifiers within the diagnostic criteria that apply to individuals who may not have a significant language or intellectual impairment.

Other new conditions recognized by the DSM-5, including social (pragmatic) communication disorder, may apply to individuals with communication difficulties that impact their social functioning to a certain degree.

This does not mean that a diagnosis of Asperger’s syndrome in the past is no longer valid. Many individuals diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome in the past still strongly identify with the condition and it’s classification, and this should not be discounted.

Within a healthcare context, professionals may formally consider Asperger’s syndrome as another term for ASD, but a previous diagnosis of Asperger’s syndrome may provide some insight into the extent and nature of the individual’s symptoms.

We hope you found this article helpful. If you think someone you know could benefit from this information, please share this article with them! We’d love for our resources to reach those who need them.

Resources

1. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (1994).
2. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (2013).
3. World Health Organization: Autism Fact Sheet. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/autism-spectrum-disorders

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