The name for Asperger's Syndrome has officially changed, but many still use the term Asperger's Syndrome when talking about their condition. The symptoms of Asperger's Syndrome are now included in a condition called Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). ASD is now the name used for a wide range of autism-like disorders.
In 1994, Asperger syndrome was listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders or DSM-4. In 2013, this was taken away, and Asperger Syndrome was placed under autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in DSM-5.
Asperger syndrome as a diagnostic term
The diagnosis was retired in the next editions of these publications, the DSM-5 in 2013 and the ICD11 in 2019, when it was folded into the diagnosis of 'autism spectrum disorder'. As a result of these changes, Asperger syndrome should no longer be given as a diagnosis.
In 2015, the DSM-5 officially folded Asperger Syndrome into the umbrella diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The organization felt it was appropriate to alter its name at that time to the “Asperger/Autism Network” to reflect this development and also to recognize its reach had expanded beyond New England.
The reason behind the reclassification of Asperger's syndrome was its similarity to autism, and the fact that it was distinguished from the latter based simply on a lack of language and cognitive delay — which, interestingly, isn't something every individual on the spectrum experiences.
Asperger syndrome and autism are now considered the same diagnosis under the autism spectrum disorder DSM-5 reclassification of the disorders. Of course, if you received a diagnosis of Asperger syndrome and identify with that classification it's fine for you to use whatever term you choose.
Background: In 2013, the American Psychiatric Association removed Asperger's Disorder from the DSM, offering instead the new DSM-5 diagnosis: Autism Spectrum Disorder.
1980s and 1990s
In 1980, "infantile autism" was added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and separated from childhood schizophrenia. By the late 1980s, the term in the DSM was changed to autism disorder and included a checklist of symptoms for diagnosing autism.
Autism is very distinct from ADHD, but the core symptoms of ADHD-Combined type, i.e., attention deficit, impulsivity, and hyperactivity, would appear to also be features of autism. ASD and ADHD are neurobiological disorders characterized by similar underlying neuropsychological “deficits”.
The life expectancy for Level 2 ASD ranges from 50-60 years old. This is slightly lower than Level 1 and the national average. In some studies, the life expectancy is even lower. The factors that can contribute to a shorter life are injuries to self, injuries stemming from unawareness, trauma, and suicide.
Asperger's Syndrome is a form of autism, which is a lifelong disability that affects how a person makes sense of the world, processes information and relates to other people. Autism is often described as a spectrum because the condition affects people in many different ways and to varying degrees.
Asperger's syndrome is a type of autism. People who have Asperger syndrome do not have a learning disability, but they might need help to do some things because they see, feel and hear the world differently to other people.
“Aspie” is a shortened slang term for a person with Asperger syndrome, a very high functioning form of autism. “Stimming” refers to the repetitive self-stimulation motions common to those on the spectrum, such as hand-flapping or rocking.
When it comes to Asperger's vs. autism, Asperger's generally features less severe symptoms and more higher functioning. Despite no longer being a separate diagnosis, Asperger's remains an accurate description of the symptoms and characteristics of some people on the Autism Spectrum.
Neurodevelopmental disorders include a group of pervasive developmental disorders that include ASD, asperger's syndrome, pervasive developmental disorder – not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), childhood disintegrative disorder (CDD), and Rett disorder.
Some developmental health professionals refer to PDD-NOS as “subthreshold autism." In other words, it's the diagnosis they use for someone who has some but not all characteristics of autism or who has relatively mild symptoms.
ASD and OCD can sometimes have similar symptoms. However, they are different conditions. Research from 2015 found that 17% of people with ASD also have OCD. This is higher than the percentage of people with OCD in the general population.
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).
Increased awareness and screening efforts may reveal why autism is becoming more common. It might seem like autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is more prevalent nowadays than it was 10 or 20 years ago. Statistics from health organizations suggest that autism spectrum disorder diagnoses are on the rise.
1 in 100 children are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder as of 2021. Autism prevalence has increased 178% since 2000. The country with the highest rate of diagnosed autism in the world is Qatar, and the country with the lowest rate is France.
In Australia, both classification systems are recognised, however by in large in South Australia the DSM-5 is used when making a diagnosis. As such, since 2013, the diagnostic label of Asperger's is not used, however it is still a term understood by the community.
Someone who is considered a savant may be especially skilled in art, math, music, memory recall, or another subject. Savant syndrome is commonly associated with autism but can occur alongside other conditions.
Active but Odd
Other individuals show interest in people and enjoy their company; they may even want to join groups and make friends. However, their ability to do so successfully is limited by their difficulty knowing what to do or say in social situations. They may be awkward and unsure during interactions.