Asperger’s syndrome, also called Asperger disorder or AS, affects about 1 in 200 people. People with Asperger’s show milder symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), an umbrella term for a number of diagnoses with similar symptoms. 

Although the official diagnosis of “Asperger syndrome” was retired in 2013, many people diagnosed with Asperger’s before then still prefer to use the term. 

This article answers your biggest questions about Asperger’s, including:

• What is Asperger’s syndrome?
• What are the symptoms of Asperger’s syndrome? 
• What causes Asperger’s syndrome?
• Autism versus Asperger’s. What is the difference?
• What does Asperger’s look like in adults?
• How does Asperger’s affect communication?
• What are the different types of learning disabilities?
• What are the treatment options for Asperger’s?
• Where can I find help for Asperger’s?

What is Asperger’s syndrome?

Though no longer an official diagnosis, Asperger’s syndrome, sometimes called Aspergers disorder or just Aspergers, belongs to a group of neurodevelopment conditions called autism spectrum disorder (ASD). 

This developmental disorder was removed from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) in 2013. Many doctors consider AS symptoms to be on the mild end of the autism spectrum. 

Asperger’s syndrome is a diagnosis with many names. You may also have heard:

• Level 1 ASD
• Asperger syndrome
• Asperger’s disease
• Asperger’s disorder
• Aspergers autism
• Aspergers spectrum disorder
• Autistic disorder

Somewhere between two and six out of every 1,000 children have the symptoms and signs of AS. 

What are the symptoms of Asperger’s syndrome?

The original criteria for an AS diagnosis included the following Asperger syndrome symptoms:

• Difficulty with verbal or nonverbal communication.
• Few or no long-term social relationships.
• Lack of interest in taking part in activities with others.
• Little to no response to social or emotional experiences.
• Intense interest in one or a few topics.
• Strict adherence to routine.
• Ritualistic behaviors.
• Repetitive behaviors or movements.
• Difficulty in maintaining relationships, jobs, or other aspects of daily life because of these symptoms.

What causes Asperger’s syndrome (AS)?

Although the causes of Asperger’s syndrome (AS) are unknown, we do know that boys are three to four times more likely than girls to have AS. Genetics and brain abnormalities may be involved in the development of the symptoms of AS.

Most importantly, doctors do know that Asperger’s is not a result of poor parenting or a child’s upbringing. It is a part of brain development, although more research is needed to understand the specifics. 

What is the difference between autism and Asperger’s?

No two people experience autism exactly the same, which is why we consider autism symptoms to be a complex spectrum, a way of classifying things based on two opposite or extreme points. On the “low” end of the autism spectrum, people have fewer or milder symptoms. On the high end, symptoms are more severe and can be debilitating. 

The symptoms of Asperger’s are on the low end of the autism spectrum. Someone with Asperger’s might prefer to say they have “low-spectrum” or “low-symptom” autism rather than Asperger’s.  

Unlike people who have more severe symptoms of autism, people with Asperger's symptoms tend to have milder social symptoms and have fewer difficulties with language and thinking.

The key difference between autism versus Asperger’s is that people with AS symptoms do not have any delay in language learning or cognitive development.

Autism spectrum disorders refer to a range of diagnoses that are now out of date. These are the defunct types of autism spectrum disorder:

• Pervasive developmental disorder, not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), is more severe than Asperger's but not as severe as autistic disorder.
• Autistic disorder has more intense symptoms than Asperger’s and PDD-NOS. 
• Childhood disintegrative disorder is the rarest and most severe diagnosis on the autism spectrum. In childhood disintegrative disorder, which sometimes appears with seizures, kids develop neurotypically but suddenly lose many mental, social, and language skills between the ages of 2 and 4.

What does Asperger’s look like in adults? 

Asperger syndrome in adults is more common than you might think, and many people who identify as having Asperger’s—like Dan Aykroyd, Daryl Hannah, Anthony Hopkins, and Elon Musk—live fulfilling, successful lives. 

Adults with Asperger’s syndrome may have: 

• Difficulty in social situations (also called being “socially awkward”)
• Hypersensitivity to lights, sounds, or tastes
• Difficulty carrying on a conversation
• Anxiety and depression
• Hyperfocus and persistence in particular interests

How does Asperger’s affect communication?

A distinct characteristic of Asperger’s or mild autism spectrum disorders is that they primarily affect social skills, not cognitive or language skills. Still, children with Asperger’s may have special educational needs. 

Because of the social impacts of Asperger’s symptoms, many people with Asperger’s struggle to make friends. Poor portrayal in the media has also contributed to misconceptions about people with Asperger’s. 

Because of this, children with Asperger’s or autism are often targets for social exclusion or bullying. Derogatory terms like “Assburger” still make the rounds, although a recent trend in the disability community is to reclaim terms like these. For example, many people with Asperger’s self-identify as “Aspies.” 

Is Asperger’s a learning disability?

Asperger’s disorder, like other forms of autism spectrum disorders, is not learning disability (LD), but it can affect the way a person learns. While ASD and learning disabilities can occur together, they are different diagnoses.

LDs go by several names, including learning difficulties, learning disabilities, and learning disorders. There are seven different learning disabilities. Each has characteristics like Asperger’s or ASD, but they are not part of the autism spectrum. 

Different types of learning disabilities include:

• Dyslexia, a language-processing disorder that impacts reading, writing, and comprehension.
• Dyscalculia, which relates to math, including numbers and reasoning.
• Dysgraphia, which relates to converting thoughts into writing or drawing. It often includes poor handwriting.
• Auditory processing disorder (APD), which confuses the order of sounds or the ability to filter different sounds.
• Language processing disorder (LPD), a type of APD in which the individual has difficulty processing spoken language. 
• Nonverbal learning disabilities (NVLD), or difficulties in decoding nonverbal behaviors or social cues.
• Visual perceptual/visual motor deficit, or difficulties in hand-eye coordination.

What are the treatment options for Asperger’s?

Asperger’s treatment options include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to address anxiety and other personal challenges.
• Social skills training to help with creating and keeping relationships.
• Speech therapy to address voice control issues.
• Physical and occupational therapy for coordination.
• Medication for symptoms of anxiety, depression, and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
• Special education plans like individual education plans (IEPs) or 504 plans, which account for accommodations or modifications in school.

Where can I find help for Asperger’s?

If you’re concerned about Asperger’s symptoms in yourself or a loved one, consult your family doctor, primary care provider, or pediatrician for treatment options and specialist referrals. If you have private medical insurance through a family member or employer, a representative there may also be able to help you find an in-network provider.

In addition, Ability Central maintains a searchable database of nonprofits that can help with everything from diagnosis to treatment. Use our Service Locator tool to find an organization near you. 

For additional information on Asperger’s and autism spectrum disorders, see: 

• ADDitude
• National Autism Association (NAA)