What is Asperger Syndrome?

What is Asperger Syndrome?

In the past, doctors used the term Asperger Syndrome as a separate diagnosis from autism.  This changed in 2013 when the Diagnostic & Statistical Manuel was revised.  The Diagnostic & Statistical Manuel is what psychiatrists and psychologists use to diagnose psychological conditions.  In 2013, the Diagnostic & Statistical Manuel-4 was updated and became the Diagnostic & Statistical Manuel-5 (DSM-5).  In the DSM-5, Asperger Syndrome is grouped under autism spectrum disorder (ASD).  Even though it is no longer its own diagnosis, many autistic people still like the word Asperger’s.  They feel it describes their autism best and continue to identify with it.

Is ‘Aspergers’ still a Diagnosis?

Historically, Aspergers was a term used to describe a group of people who would now be considered autistic.  These days however, Asperger Syndrome is no longer a medical diagnosis.  Before 2013 (when the DSM-5 came out), Aspergers and autism were both known as ‘Pervasive Developmental Disorders.’  Asperger Syndrome is now classified into a broader category called ‘autism spectrum disorders.’  This change was made because autism can be expressed in a lot of different ways and can vary a lot in how severe it is.  On the spectrum, people who might have been diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome at an earlier time are now simple described as autistic.

Issues with the New Classification

Taking away the term “Asperger’s” has caused debate.  The idea was to be more inclusive and to show that autism is a wide spectrum.  But some people diagnosed before 2013, or who feel the word fits them better, still prefer to call themselves an “Aspie.”  They believe it shows their unique style of thinking.

Another reason for removing the term is its history.  Asperger Syndrome was named after Hans Asperger, a doctor from Austria.  He was one of the first to study children on the autism spectrum.  He described kids who had no language delays, average or high intelligence, and very strong interests in specific topics.  However, Dr. Asperger worked under the Nazi regime. Evidence shows he sent some autistic children to a clinic called Am Spiegelgrund, where many of them died.   Whether he knew what would happen to the children is under debate, but because of these ties to the Nazis many people felt the name “Asperger’s” should not be used anymore.

Are Aspergers and Autism Different?

Like autism, Asperger’s involves challenges with social skills and repetitive behaviors.  The difference was that people with Asperger’s did not have delays in speech or lower intelligence (which other people on the autism spectrum sometimes have).  Also, they often had very strong special interests.  In fact, children with Asperger’s were sometimes called “little professors” because they could talk in great detail about their favorite topics.

Article by: Avery Meeks and The Autism ToolKit

Works Cited:

Klin, Ami. “Autism and Asperger syndrome: an overview.” Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry 28 (2006): s3-s11.

Rebecchi, Kevin. “‘Early childhood autism, Asperger type’, by H. Asperger (1982).” History of Psychiatry (2024): 0957154X241248261.

Hosseini, Seyed Alireza. and Mohammed Molla. “Asperger Syndrome.” StatPearls, StatPearls Publishing, 12 February 2024.

https://www.bps.org.uk/psychologist/aftermath-hans-asperger-expose

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-05112-1