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When you meet someone who has Asperger's syndrome, you might notice two things right off. He's
just as smart as other folks, but he has more trouble with social skills. He also tends to have an
obsessive focus on one topic or perform the same behaviors again and again.
Doctors used to think of Asperger's as a separate condition. But in 2013, the newest edition of the
standard book that mental health experts use, called The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders (DSM-5), changed how it's classified.
Today, Asperger's syndrome is technically no longer a diagnosis on its own. It is now part of a
broader category called autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This group of related mental health issues
shares some symptoms. Even so, lots of people still use the term Asperger's.
The condition is what doctors call a "high-functioning" type of ASD. This means the symptoms are
less severe than other kinds of autism spectrum disorders.
The DSM-5 also includes a new diagnosis, called social pragmatic communication disorder, which
has some symptoms that overlap with Asperger's. Doctors use it to describe people who have
trouble talking and writing, but have normal intelligence.
Symptoms
They start early in life. If you're a mom or dad of a kid who has it, you may notice that he can't make eye contact. You
may also find that your child seems awkward in social situations and doesn't know what to say or how to respond when
someone talks to him.
He may miss social cues that are obvious to other folks, like body language or the expressions on people's faces. For
instance, he may not realize that when somebody crosses his arms and scowls, he's angry.
Another sign is that your child may show few emotions. He may not smile when he's happy or laugh at a joke. Or he may
speak in a flat, robotic kind of way.
If your child has the condition, he may talk about himself most of the time and zero in with a lot of intensity on a single
subject, like rocks or football stats. And he might repeat himself a lot, especially on a topic that he's interested in. He
might also do the same movements over and over.
He also may dislike change. For instance, he may eat the same food for breakfast every day or have trouble moving from
one class to another during the school day.
What symptoms does he have, and when did you first notice them?
When did your child first learn to speak, and how does he communicate?
Is he focused on any subjects or activities?
Does he have friends, and how does he interact with others?
Then he'll observe your child in different situations to see firsthand how he communicates and behaves.
Treatment
Every child is different, so there isn't a one-size-fits-all approach. Your doctor might need to try a few therapies to find
one that works.
Treatments can include:
Social skills training. In groups or one-on-one sessions, therapists teach your child how to interact with others and
express themselves in more appropriate ways. Social skills are often best learned by modeling after typical behavior.
Speech-language therapy. This helps improve your kid's communication skills. For example, he'll learn how to use a
normal up-and-down pattern when he speaks rather than a flat tone. He'll also get lessons on how to keep up a two-way
conversation and understand social cues like hand gestures and eye contact.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). It helps your child change his way of thinking, so he can better control his
emotions and repetitive behaviors. He'll be able to get a handle on things like outbursts, meltdowns, and obsessions.
Parent education and training. You'll learn many of the same techniques your child is taught so you can work on social
skills with him at home. Some families also see a counselor to help them deal with the challenges of living with someone
with Asperger's.
Applied behavior analysis. It's a technique that encourages positive social and communication skills in your child -- and discourages
behavior you'd rather not see. The therapist will use praise or other "positive reinforcement" to get results.
Medicine. There aren't any drugs approved by the FDA that specifically treat Asperger's or autism spectrum disorders. Some medications,
though, can help with related symptoms like depression and anxiety. Your doctor may prescribe some of these:
With the right treatment, your child can learn to control some of the social and communication challenges he faces. He can do
well in school and go on to succeed in life.
Asperger's syndrome was formerly characterized as a distinct autism spectrum disorder; the DSM-5 in May 2013
combined the diagnosis with autistic disorder into one condition called autism spectrum disorder or ASD.
People with Asperger's syndrome have normal to above-average intelligence but typically have difficulties with
social interactions and often have pervasive, absorbing interests in special topics.
Abnormalities in the subtle use of language and interpretation of language are common with Asperger's
Anxiety and frustration may contribute to disruptive behaviors or depression in people with Asperger's syndrome.
Successful treatment generally involves one or multiple social, behavioral, and/or educational interventions.
The personality and cognitive traits common to those with Asperger's syndrome are seen as beneficial by many,
and many people with Asperger's syndrome believe it has helped advance their professional lives.
Asperger's syndrome is named for Dr. Hans Asperger, an Austrian pediatrician, who first described the condition in 1944.
Dr. Asperger described four boys who showed "a lack of empathy, little ability to form friendships, one-sided
conversation, intense absorption in a special interest, and clumsy movements." Because of their obsessive interests in
and knowledge of particular subjects, he termed the boys "little professors." The American Psychiatric Association (APA)
recognized Asperger disorder as a specific entity and published diagnostic criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders-IV (DSM-IV) in 1994. Most recently, after significant deliberation, the APA recommended
"subsuming" Asperger's Disorder into Autism Spectrum Disorders for the next edition DSM-V.
Today, many experts in the field stress the particular gifts and positive aspects of Asperger syndrome and consider it to
represent a different, but not necessarily defective, way of thinking. Positive characteristics of people with Asperger
syndrome have been described as beneficial in many professions and include:
the capacity to persevere in specific interests without being swayed by others' opinions,
intensity, and
Dr. Temple Grandin, a noted engineer, author, and professor who suffers from Asperger disorder believes that her
condition has been an asset in her professional life. Her life and story was featured in a film that first aired in 2010.
Although the diagnosis of Asperger's syndrome is not possible without direct testing and observation of an individual, it
has been suggested by some authors that many successful historical figures may have had Asperger's syndrome,
including Mozart, Albert Einstein, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and Marie Curie. Of course, definitive diagnosis
of historical figures with Asperger's syndrome is not possible, and many of the traits exhibited by people with Asperger's
syndrome can also occur because of intellectual giftedness or even attention deficit disorder (ADD).
Some authors have suggested a causal role for vaccine exposure (particularly measles vaccine and thimerosal, a mercury
preservative used in some vaccines) in autism. However, the overwhelming majority of epidemiologic evidence shows
no evidence for an association between immunizations and autism, and experts have discredited this theory.
stereotypical and repetitive motor patterns such as hand flapping or arm waving.
Another defining characteristic of Asperger's syndrome is the presence of perseverative and obsessive interests in
special topics (such as cars or trains, or even more narrow topics such as vacuum cleaners), which may be of little
interest to others.
These interests are unusually repetitive and intense when compared to other children's interests.
Specific or narrow interests remain the focus of the child's interest and conversation in spite of efforts to redirect
Language development in children with Asperger's syndrome is generally normal, in contrast to other autistic conditions.
Children with Asperger's syndrome have normal scores on tests for language function involving vocabulary, syntax, and
grammar. In fact, some experts believe the presence of normal language development distinguishes Asperger's
syndrome from high-functioning autism. However, the use or application of language skills is altered in people with
Asperger's syndrome:
Their speech may be disorganized or not relevant to the discussion, or they may focus too intently on their
defined area of interest (see above) in conversations. The child may switch topics for no apparent reason in
conversation, often in an attempt to steer the conversation toward his or her area of interest.
Changes in voice and speaking (for example, speaking too loudly or dramatically, using an invariant tone or
incorrect intonation, loud pitch, or speaking too rapidly or too slowly) can also be seen.
Language may be interpreted literally, and difficulties can arise with interpreting language in a specific context.
There are difficulties with understanding the subtle use of language, such as irony or sarcasm.
In school, children with Asperger's syndrome tend to excel with the rote learning often required in the early grades. As
they get older, they may have more difficulties in school due to the nature of reading comprehension and written
assignments. Special education support is sometimes, but not always, necessary.
Sometimes, people with Asperger disorder have other associated psychiatric conditions or may show behaviors that are
typical for other conditions. Some common associated conditions include the following (but these are not always
present):
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Anxiety disorder
Diagnosis is based upon interviews and observation of the individual along with interviews of his/her family members and
sometimes teachers or counselors. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders is published by the
American Psychiatric Association and includes the diagnostic criteria for all recognized psychiatric conditions.
The DSM-IV had specific diagnostic criteria for Asperger's syndrome. However, revision of the DSM-IV was carried out,
with a 5th edition (DSM-V) published in May 2013. In this new version, Asperger's syndrome is included in the same
As mentioned before, Asperger's syndrome may coexist with other psychiatric conditions such as attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or anxiety disorder. Even when anxiety disorder is not present, people with Asperger's
syndrome may suffer from anxiety or hypersensitivity to certain stimuli such as loud noises. In some cases, disruptive
behaviors (tantrums, self-injury, and aggression) and/or depression may occur in response to the anxiety and frustration
experienced by sufferers of Asperger's syndrome. Other behaviors that have been reported in people with Asperger's
As with any condition, the degree of severity of symptoms can vary widely among individuals, and not all persons with
Asperger's syndrome will experience associated psychiatric disorders, depression, or disruptive behaviors.
Medical therapy is not effective in treating Asperger syndrome, although medications may be prescribed to help control
troubling symptoms or symptoms of other psychiatric conditions that may coexist with Asperger's syndrome. In some
cases, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) medications are used for relief of anxiety or depression. Medical
treatments for ADHD may also be tried if there is significant hyperactivity and/or distraction.
A number of behavioral and educational interventions can help people with Asperger's syndrome, although all of these
may not be necessary in a given individual. The type of interventions chosen must be based upon the individual's age and
supporting executive function skills by provision of an environment that is predictable, structured, and organized;
organization skills training;
speech/language therapy that addresses the ambiguous use of language and the use of language in social
settings;
social skills training programs, including training in the awareness of social cognition, use of gestures and facial
educational supports such as assistance with organization, note-taking, allowing oral rather than written testing,
use of scripts, and assistance with reading comprehension and subtlety of language use; and
self-advocacy training.
Asperger syndrome, or Asperger’s, is a previously used diagnosis on the autism spectrum. In 2013, it
became part of one umbrella diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders 5 (DSM-5).
Typical to strong verbal language skills and intellectual ability distinguish Asperger syndrome from other
forms of autism.
It generally involves:
The tendencies described above vary widely among people. Many learn to overcome their challenges by
building on strengths.
Though the diagnosis of Asperger syndrome is no longer used, many previously diagnosed people still identify
strongly and positively with being an “Aspie.”
Find the following services near you using the Autism Speaks Resource Guide.
Cognitive behavioral therapy can help address anxiety and other personal challenges.
Social skills training classes can help with conversational skills and understanding social cues.
Psychoactive medicines can help manage associated anxiety, depression and attention deficit and
hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
1944: Austrian pediatrician Hans Asperger described four strikingly similar young patients. They had normal to
high intelligence. But they lacked social skills and had extremely narrow interests. The children also shared a
tendency to be clumsy.
1981: British psychiatrist Lorna Wing published a series of similar case studies. In it, she coined the term
“Asperger syndrome.”
1994: Asperger syndrome listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-4).
2003: Asperger syndrome and other previously separate types of autism folded into one umbrella diagnosis of
“autism spectrum disorder” in DSM-5.