Asperger's SyndromeDate First Published: April 2, 2007 As one of the autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), Asperger's syndrome involves severe social impairments and restricted interests. 1 How is it different, though, from what you might call “autism classic”? If you or someone you care about has received a diagnosis of Asperger's syndrome, what does it mean? In brief, a diagnosis of Asperger's syndrome is given to individuals who suffered no speech or cognitive delay as children, such that they were talking on time and have at least a "normal" IQ, but who nevertheless display a range of autistic-like behaviors and ways of taking in the world. The hallmarks of Asperger's include emersion in an all-consuming interest and a one-sided, self-focused social approach. 2 Descriptions provided over the years have yielded a range of Asperger’s syndrome stereotypes: the absent-minded and socially out-of-it professor, the brilliant but geeky programmer with bad hygiene, the eccentric uncle who never married and lived alone amidst his extensive collection of ancient maps. There are kernels of truth in the stereotypes, but they can be misleading as well. Not everyone who is eccentric has Asperger's, and not everyone with Asperger's is a quirky genius. In reality, each person with Asperger's is differently abled across several areas of challenge and giftedness, yielding a diverse group of individuals who face some common issues. Background: Who was Asperger?Autism and Asperger’s syndrome were first studied at nearly the same time, but on opposite sides of the Atlantic. Leo Kanner, who developed the first child psychiatric service at a U.S. hospital, described autism in 1943. 3 Since he published in English, his work became widely known, the very basis of our modern concept of autism. 4
Asperger’s seminal work remained virtually unknown until 1991 when it was translated into English. 6 Shortly thereafter, Asperger’s syndrome was included for the first time in two psychiatric “bibles”: the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual - IV 7 and the International Classification of Diseases -10. 8 These provide the official criteria for diagnosis used by psychiatrists, as well as third party payers (meaning insurance companies), all over the world. Asperger’s syndrome was now a legitimate psychiatric diagnosis. Aspects of Asperger’s SyndromeThe official diagnostic criteria for Asperger’s syndrome currently in use have often been criticized as being too narrow, failing to provide a meaningful picture of the disorder. 9 Accounts provided by experts from Asperger himself onward, however, provide a more thorough description, and include the following:
Autism and Asperger's: Where’s the Line?The definition of Asperger’s syndrome is still evolving, which is to say, the field has not yet reached complete agreement on where the line between “autism” and “Asperger's syndrome” lies. 10,11,12 Is Asperger's a meaningful subtype of autism, characterized by some difference in genes or neurology? Or is it just “high IQ” autism? For researchers, this is an urgent question. For families, clinicians, and people with Asperger's themselves, what is most important in the here and now is an understanding of the breadth and complexity of the disorder. There is no doubt that this baffling profile of strengths and weaknesses exists, and that people with Asperger's need substantial and life long help learning to use their gifts to offset their challenges. View References for this ArticleRelated Articles
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Hans Asperger, an Austrian pediatrician who published only in German, was working during the same period with children who, although bright, spoke in a one-sided, lecturing fashion like “little professors” on topics in which they had an absorbing interest. The children were socially unaware, with little ability to form friendships or read others’ emotional states. They had difficulty with non-verbal communication, were prone to behavior problems, and appeared clumsy. 