Dive into the nuanced world of neurodevelopmental disorders with our guide, “Autism vs. Asperger’s Syndrome: Are They The Same?” Unravel the distinctions between these conditions, exploring their unique characteristics, diagnostic criteria, and the evolving landscape of terminology. Gain valuable insights into the diverse ways individuals experience and navigate the spectrum. Whether you’re seeking clarity for yourself or a loved one, this guide provides a comprehensive understanding of autism and Asperger’s Syndrome, shedding light on the similarities and differences to foster greater awareness, acceptance, and informed decision-making within the neurodivergent community.
You’ve probably heard of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Asperger’s syndrome mentioned in the same breath.
The BIG and sometimes confusing question is this:
Is autism and Asperger the same? Or are they different?
Behind the debate
A lot of reasons factor in why people consider Asperger’s syndrome and autism to be the same. There was a time when everyone thought of Asperger’s as something entirely different from ASD. Over time and through a lot of research, it is now revealed that Asperger’s fall under ASD considering its signs and symptoms.
So how exactly is Asperger’s different than autism?
In 1940, Hans Asperger, a Viennese pediatrician, observed a group of boys who, despite having normal intelligence and language development, exhibited behaviors similar to autism. These boys struggled significantly with social interaction. Furthermore, their communication skills were notably deficient and required assistance.
But compared to autism, Asperger’s syndrome seems like a milder form of the spectrum. To put it in Professor Uta Frith’s words, Asperger is “having a dash of autism.”
Asperger’s: A less severe form of autism.
As a lesser form of autism, individuals with Asperger’s syndrome fall under the category of “high functioning autism.” There is no intellectual disability. What there is is some sort of problems in any one or more of these areas:
- Recognizing someone’s emotions
- Having sensory problems
- Communicating with others
- Expressing oneself
- Socializing with others
In short, people with Asperger’s syndrome can still manage with the necessary life skills. They can still read. Speaking is not a problem. They can still write. They may not need much support, or any at all, but they do encounter challenges in certain areas.
Because children and people with Asperger’s syndrome tend to have good cognitive and language skills, they look like a typical kid just behaving differently to untrained observers.
Compared to children and people on the spectrum who looks uninterested to interact with others, those with Asperger’s tend to want to interact and socialize with others. They do want to fit in. The only problem? They don’t know how.
In the end, people with Asperger’s seem to lack empathy, are socially awkward and doesn’t seem to grasp conventional social rules.
Speech patterns in children with Asperger’s
Children with Asperger’s don’t suffer from speech delays like those on the spectrum. However, you may observe certain speech patterns which are unusual like having a high-pitched voice, a lack of inflection, not understanding the subtleties of language like humor, sarcasm or irony or the nature of give-and-take in normal conversations.
In fact, people with Asperger’s often exhibit average to above-average intelligence which makes diagnosing them more of a challenge.
On the other hand, children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder are unique in their own way. They call it a spectrum because this developmental disability encompasses a wide range of experiences and behaviors. Symptoms may vary from child to child which makes every case unique.
Social awkwardness and Asperger’s
Children diagnosed with Asperger’s often grow up as adults who are socially awkward.
And for a good reason.
People or children diagnosed with Asperger’s do not have language delays, but they may face challenges in communication.
This is because the signature traits of Asperger’s make it hard for them to properly communicate due to the following:
- Often speak without emotion
- Does not know how to read facial expressions
- Have difficulty expressing or recognizing their own feelings
- Can’t maintain eye contact
In comparison, people on the spectrum will either avoid or make too much eye contact. They can also talk about a subject that interests them non-stop or be aggressive in expressing a certain emotion like anger. In some cases, children with autism will try to mimic the words or phrases that they hear from other people. Or they might repeat something interesting that they’ve watched on TV or heard while watching YouTube videos.
In these two different scenarios, you can see that people on the spectrum are still able to communicate somehow in their own way.
People with Asperger’s, on the other hand, would want to communicate, but just doesn’t know how it’s properly done.
People with Asperger’s usually exhibit higher intelligence
Another notable difference between people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and Asperger’s syndrome is their level of intelligence.
Most of the time, kids with Asperger’s display an above average intelligence than most. Children or people with Asperger’s can be really good at remembering certain information like statistics or unknown facts about certain topics like sports or dinosaurs or history.
They could sound like an expert with the way they know about things. They can also have really advanced vocabulary that can sometimes be unusual for their age. In some cases, people with Asperger’s can be described as “gifted” people with all their talents and knowledge. However, they can be hampered from showcasing their full potential because of not being able to communicate properly.
In the case of children with ASD, Autism Speaks note that about 31 percent of children with ASD have an IQ of less than 70 which means a significantly below average IQ. Twenty-five percent fall in the borderline category with an IQ ranging from 71 to 85. The remaining 44 percent have average to above average IQ of more than 85. But seeing that Asperger’s syndrome fall under the category of ASD, the number might account for those people diagnosed with high-functioning autism.
Autism spectrum disorder is much easier to diagnose than Asperger’s syndrome
Perhaps one of the biggest differences of autism spectrum disorder and Asperger’s is the time it takes to diagnose them.
People with Asperger’s tend to be high-functioning. So most of the time, they seem normal and even look “gifted” to the untrained eye. This is why most people with Asperger’s are not diagnosed until they happen to be 11 years old on average as research suggests.
On the other hand, children on the spectrum can be diagnosed as early as the first 24 months to around 4 years old. This early diagnosis of ASD allow parents to provide the necessary intervention needed to help their children.
With Asperger’s, misdiagnosis often happens since a child can often exhibit symptoms similar to ADHD. Doctors often do not diagnose Asperger’s syndrome until a person reaches their teens or adult years. Because of this, intervention happens at a later time for those with high-functioning autism.
Do They Still Diagnose Asperger’s?
The diagnosis landscape for what was previously known as Asperger’s Syndrome has undergone significant changes in recent years, particularly with the introduction of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) by the American Psychiatric Association. Understanding these changes is crucial for individuals seeking a diagnosis or support for autism spectrum-related conditions.
Shift to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
With the release of the DSM-5 in 2013, the diagnostic criteria for autism-related disorders were revised. One of the most notable changes was the elimination of Asperger’s Syndrome as a separate diagnosis. Instead, the DSM-5 consolidated Asperger’s Syndrome and other pervasive developmental disorders into a single umbrella category known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Reasons for the Change
The primary rationale behind this shift was to improve diagnostic accuracy and consistency. Research suggested that differentiating between Asperger’s Syndrome and other forms of autism, like autistic disorder and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), was often challenging and somewhat subjective. By bringing these diagnoses under the broader category of ASD, the DSM-5 aims to ensure individuals receive a diagnosis that more accurately reflects the spectrum nature of autism, recognizing the wide range of symptoms and severities.
Impact on Diagnosis and Support
– Current Diagnostics: In the current diagnostic framework, individuals who might have previously been diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome are now diagnosed with ASD. The diagnosis is made based on the severity of their symptoms across two core areas: social communication challenges and restricted, repetitive behaviors.
– Support and Intervention: The change in diagnostic criteria does not mean that individuals who would have been diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome no longer receive support. Instead, the focus has shifted toward a more nuanced understanding of where a person falls on the autism spectrum and tailoring interventions and support accordingly.
– Recognition of the Term “Asperger’s”: While the official diagnostic term has been absorbed into ASD, the term “Asperger’s” continues to be used in some contexts. Many individuals who were diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome prior to the DSM-5 change, as well as some members of the broader autism community, still identify with and use the term “Asperger’s” to describe their condition. It’s a matter of personal and community identity that reflects a neurodiverse spectrum.
The diagnostic shift away from Asperger’s Syndrome to Autism Spectrum Disorder was made to improve clarity and treatment for individuals across the autism spectrum. While the term “Asperger’s” is no longer used in official diagnostic materials, it remains a significant part of many people’s identity within the autism community. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure individuals receive the right support and interventions tailored to their unique needs, regardless of the terminology.
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