Autism and Asperger’s are historically and clinically interconnected and many people use these names interchangeably. But both terms have developed over the past decades, leaving many confused about what they should call their condition, or their loved one’s condition, and subsequently, how to go about treatment.
The diagnosis of autism has become autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with Asperger’s syndrome no longer a separate diagnosis, now classified under ASD. Both changes happened in the fourth and fifth editions of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).
In this comprehensive guide, we cover everything about autism and Asperger’s, explain the updated diagnosis, and help you understand what you can do if you or your loved one has symptoms related to autism or Asperger’s.
Key takeaways
- Asperger’s syndrome is no longer a separate diagnosis — since DSM-5 (2013), it is classified under autism spectrum disorder (ASD), typically at Level 1, which indicates the least support needs.
- ASD is characterized by challenges in social communication and interaction, alongside restricted and repetitive behaviors — severity varies widely across the spectrum.
- The term “Asperger’s” is still used by many people to describe their experience, though clinically it is now part of the broader ASD diagnosis.
- There is no single cure or treatment for ASD, but behavioral, educational, and therapeutic interventions can significantly improve daily functioning and quality of life.
- If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms related to autism or Asperger’s, a psychologist or psychiatrist can conduct a formal assessment and recommend appropriate support.
What is autism spectrum disorder?
Autism spectrum disorder, or ASD, is a neurological and developmental disorder that involves impaired communication, obsessions, and repetitive behaviors.
According to the CDC’s most recent data, approximately 1 in 31 eight-year-old children in the United States have been identified with autism spectrum disorder.
Characteristics of autism
Psychiatry professionals characterize autism by three main signs and symptoms which break down into a wide range of individual characteristics. Someone with autism may consistently display the following signs of autism, including communication and interaction issues such as:
- Avoiding eye contact
- Failing to show expected facial expressions
- Lacking interest in many normally interesting things
- Having difficulty adjusting to basic social cues
- Prolonged talking without noting a lack of interest in the other party or not letting them contribute
- Having difficulty predicting people’s behaviors
- Having trouble seeing people’s points of view
- Having an atypical voice like that of a robot
- Slowness to notice they’re being called to attention by name or in other ways
- Struggling to keep up with conversation
People with autism may also live with restrictive and repetitive habits and interests such as:
- Insisting on a specific way of doing things and getting upset with the slightest changes
- Repeating behaviors like body movements, words and phrases, or the way they manipulate certain objects
- Maintaining an interest for a long time on certain topics, facts, letters, or numbers
- Showing an unusual reaction to light, sounds, clothing, and tastes
Autistic children and even adults are generally more sensitive than others. These special characteristics may be challenging but may also come with advantages. For instance, they can keep a detailed memory for a long time, do exceptionally well when learning visually or through audio, or master certain arts way better than neurotypical people.
Causes and risk factors of autism
Scientists are yet to identify the exact cause of autism. However, they believe that a combination of certain genetic factors and environmental risks contribute to the development of autism in a child.
Risk factors for autism include:
- Having genetics-related conditions such as fragile X syndrome and Down syndrome
- Being born to senior-aged parents; both parental genes may contribute to a child having autism
- Having a sibling with autism
- Being born extremely prematurely or at a very low birth weight
- Birth difficulties that inhibit enough oxygen from entering the baby’s brain
- Environmental risks such as exposure to heavy metals and other air pollutants, chemicals, and parental substance use
However, researchers clarify that not all people exposed to these risk factors experience autism.
Diagnostic criteria of autism
Autism diagnosis is now an umbrella term for describing a range of symptoms for anyone on the spectrum.
According to the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5), one must have three forms of impairment in communication and interaction skills combined with two to four forms of restrictive and repetitive behaviors.
To be diagnosed with autism:
- It has to be confirmed that a person struggles with responding to social cues, understanding other people’s emotions, and creating and maintaining relationships.
- One has to have at least two restrictive and repetitive patterns of behavior like moving a body part or things repetitively, fixation on certain interests, restricted patterns in routines and rituals, and atypical sensitivity to various things in the environment.
Furthermore, there are three levels of diagnosis for Autism spectrum disorder:
- Level 1: People diagnosed at this level don’t need much support except with social and organizational skills.
- Level 2: Individuals on this level of ASD need more support than those on Level 1.
- Level 3: People on this level of the spectrum require the most support, possibly from round-the-clock caregivers, due to severe symptoms.
ASD levels are quite nuanced, so screening with a professional can help to understand the level of support someone with ASD requires day-to-day.
Autism treatment and management
While there’s no single treatment for autism discovered thus far, behavioral interventions like therapy help reduce symptoms and harness the strengths of someone with ASD.
Some of the most beneficial types of therapies for autism treatment include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), social skills therapy, educational therapy, behavioral management therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language therapy, medication, nutritional therapy, and play-based therapy.
Each person is different and therefore requires a therapy fitting their needs. Early intervention is most effective and can significantly improve daily functioning and quality of life.
What is Asperger’s syndrome?
Asperger’s, also known as Asperger’s syndrome (AS), is a set of symptoms on the autism spectrum. It was a standalone condition when it was identified by Hans Asperger, an Austrian psychiatrist, in 1944.
Asperger’s was used to describe symptoms of social communication difficulties, alongside average to high IQ and with no language development delays like those in other spectrums of autism. These slight differences are what caused it to be viewed as a separate disorder.
In 1994, Asperger’s syndrome was officially added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) as a standalone diagnosis separate from autism. It remained its own diagnosis for nearly two decades until 2013, when the DSM-5 removed it as a separate condition and folded it into autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Now, it’s no longer called Asperger’s, although some may use the name to describe the symptoms.
Characteristics of a person with Asperger’s
Signs and symptoms of Asperger syndrome under ASD include:
- Impaired social skills and egocentrism: One may be unwilling or unable to interact with others, improperly interpret social cues, and may give inappropriate responses in most social situations.
- Small range of interests: Someone with Asperger syndrome may focus on a few interests intensely and at the expense of other meaningful activities.
- Rigidity and repetitiveness: One with AS may be obsessed with routines and be in distress when they’re altered.
- Language and speech abnormalities: While someone with AS may not struggle with learning languages, they focus on perfection in expressing it, speak loudly where they shouldn’t, and might confuse literal and implied explanations.
- Inadequate nonverbal communication skills: People with AS might avoid eye contact, and limit facial expressions and gesture use.
Asperger’s symptoms are closely related to those of general ASD, and is the reason for the merging of the two. Like ASD symptoms, AS symptoms are also advantageous in some ways and pose some challenges.
Causes of Asperger’s
Asperger’s syndrome doesn’t have a defined cause. Unspecified genetic factors and exposure to harmful environmental factors such as toxic chemicals may be connected to the development of Asperger’s. Yet not all children exposed to such factors develop Asperger’s.
What scientists know for sure is that AS isn’t caused by bad parenting or upbringing, a myth that has circulated for many decades.
Diagnostic criteria of Asperger’s
Asperger’s is no longer diagnosed on its own. In fact, it’s no longer mentioned in most clinical circles since it’s now part of Autism spectrum disorder, mostly falling under Level 1 on the spectrum.
If you have a loved one displaying symptoms of Asperger’s, consider meeting with a psychologist for an assessment and proceeding with treatment targeting their area of challenge.
Asperger syndrome treatment and management
Treatment options for Asperger’s usually depend on the needs of an individual. For instance, someone struggling with motor issues can be taken to occupational therapy, while someone with communication difficulties can go to speech therapy.
The behavioral interventions for autism work for Asperger’s since they’re under the same spectrum.
Did you know?
The term “Asperger’s syndrome” wasn’t widely known in English-speaking clinical circles until Lorna Wing, a British psychiatrist and autism researcher, translated and popularized Hans Asperger’s original 1944 research in 1981. Wing herself had an autistic daughter and became one of the most influential advocates for expanding how autism was understood and diagnosed. Without her work, the condition that bears Asperger’s name might not have entered mainstream clinical use at all.
Autism vs. Asperger’s similarities and differences
According to the former DSM-4 diagnostic criteria for Asperger’s before it was classified under ASD, Asperger syndrome was similar to autism in every way, with the exception that people with Asperger’s had average or high IQs and developed language skills the same way people without neurodevelopmental disorders do. Also, people diagnosed with Asperger’s didn’t require as much support as someone with autism.
It’s now important to note that Asperger’s and autism aren’t considered separate conditions anymore, they’re now part of the autism spectrum which ranges from low level autism to high level. Asperger’s symptoms often fall under level one.
If Asperger’s is no longer a separate diagnosis, why do so many people still use the term, and should I?
This is one of the most common questions people have after learning about the DSM-5 change. The short answer is: use whatever term feels right for you or your loved one.
Many people who received an Asperger’s diagnosis before 2013 continue to identify with that term — it’s part of how they understand themselves, and that’s valid. Others prefer “autistic” or “ASD Level 1” because it reflects current clinical language. Neither is wrong.
The DSM-5 change was primarily a clinical and research decision aimed at improving diagnostic consistency — it wasn’t a statement that one experience is more or less real than another. In clinical and therapeutic settings today, the ASD diagnosis with a level designation is what providers use for assessment and treatment planning. If you’re seeking a formal diagnosis, expect to hear “ASD Level 1” rather than Asperger’s from most clinicians.
Dealing with autism and Asperger’s symptoms
Healthcare professionals now use the Autism spectrum disorder diagnosis criteria to diagnose all people showing ASD symptoms.
Whether you think you’re autistic or have Asperger’s, you need to go for an assessment with a pediatrician or mental health professional to determine your spectrum level. That way, you can go through interventions that target your specific needs and help you live a more meaningful life.
Many people with Asperger’s struggle with identifying themselves as ASD due to the stigma around the term “autism.”
What matters is knowing that you’re an important human no matter what condition you’re battling, and that you can live a purposeful life with the right treatments.
Get support for autism spectrum disorder
Autism and Asperger’s are intertwined conditions, the latter no longer existing as its own diagnosis. Asperger’s symptoms are now treated as part of Autism spectrum disorder.
Although one might go to the doctor showing Asperger’s signs and symptoms, they’ll be diagnosed according to the Autism spectrum disorder level they’re at.
Understanding the similarities and differences between autism and Asperger’s can help you better seek treatment for yourself or a loved one. Always remember, anyone on the autism spectrum can live a meaningful life with the right therapy, and even lose symptoms along the way.
If you or your loved one is struggling with Asperger’s or autism symptoms, Grow Therapy can help. We’ll connect you with a qualified therapist in your area who accepts your insurance.
Final thoughts
Autism spectrum disorder is not a monolithic experience — the range of strengths, challenges, and support needs across the spectrum is vast. Whether you identify with the term Asperger’s, ASD, or simply autistic, what matters most is finding the right support for your specific situation. That starts with a proper assessment and, for many people, working with a therapist who understands neurodevelopmental conditions.
On Grow Therapy, you can filter specifically for therapists who specialize in autism, check who takes your insurance, and book directly. Most clients are in their first session within two days.
