What Is Asperger's Syndrome?
Asperger's syndrome is a neurological condition that affects the way a person experiences and interacts with the world. It is part of the autism spectrum and is generally considered to be at the higher-functioning end of that spectrum. People with Asperger's typically have average or above-average intelligence and do not have significant delays in language development, which distinguishes it from other forms of autism as the term was historically used.
A Brief History
The condition was first described by Austrian pediatrician Hans Asperger in 1944. He observed a group of children who showed strong abilities in some areas but had significant difficulties with social interaction, empathy, and motor coordination. His work was largely overlooked outside of German-speaking countries until British researcher Lorna Wing translated and publicized it in the 1980s. The diagnosis formally entered the American diagnostic system (DSM-IV) in 1994.
How It Differs From Other Autism Diagnoses
Historically, what set Asperger's syndrome apart from other autism diagnoses were two main factors: no clinically significant delay in language development, and no significant cognitive impairment. Children with Asperger's typically begin speaking on time and often develop quite advanced vocabularies early on. This meant many were not identified until school age, when the social demands of the classroom exposed their difficulties.
Core Characteristics
The characteristics most commonly associated with Asperger's syndrome include:
- Difficulties with social interaction and understanding unwritten social rules
- Problems reading nonverbal communication such as facial expressions, tone of voice, and body language
- An intense, narrow focus on specific subjects or topics (sometimes called special interests)
- A preference for routine and difficulty coping with unexpected changes
- Literal thinking and difficulty understanding sarcasm, idioms, or figurative language
- Sensory sensitivities — being over- or under-sensitive to sounds, lights, textures, tastes, or smells
- Difficulty with motor coordination (in some, though not all, individuals)
What It Is Not
Asperger's syndrome is often misunderstood. A few things it is not:
- It is not an intellectual disability. People with Asperger's typically have average to high intelligence.
- It is not caused by bad parenting, vaccines, or diet — these claims have been thoroughly discredited.
- It is not something that simply needs to be "fixed." Many people with Asperger's lead full, productive, and satisfying lives.
- It is not the same as being shy or introverted, though people with Asperger's are sometimes mislabeled as one or the other.
The Spectrum
It is important to understand that Asperger's, like all autism spectrum conditions, presents differently in every individual. No two people with Asperger's are alike. One person may struggle enormously with social situations but excel in a demanding technical career. Another may have strong social instincts but be overwhelmed by sensory input. The range of presentations is wide, which is why the word "spectrum" is used.
Strengths
While a lot of discussion around Asperger's focuses on challenges, there are genuine strengths that many people with Asperger's report, including:
- Strong attention to detail
- Deep knowledge in areas of interest
- Honesty and directness
- Loyalty in relationships
- Ability to focus intensely on tasks
- Pattern recognition and systematic thinking