Many people who fit the profile for Asperger syndrome are now being diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder instead.
Each person is different, and it is up to each individual how they choose to identify. Some people with a diagnosis of Asperger syndrome may choose to keeping using the term, while others may prefer to refer to themselves as autistic or on the autistic spectrum.
Autism is a spectrum condition. All autistic people share certain difficulties but being autistic will affect them in different ways. Some people with Asperger syndrome also have mental health issues or other conditions, meaning people need different levels and types of support.
People with Asperger syndrome see, hear and feel the world differently to other people. If you have Asperger syndrome, you have it for life – it is not an illness or disease and cannot be ‘cured’. Often people feel that Asperger syndrome is a fundamental aspect of their identity.
People with Asperger syndrome don't have the learning disabilities that many autistic people have, but they may have specific learning difficulties. They may have fewer problems with speech but may still have difficulties with understanding and processing language.
The signs of Asperger syndrome vary from one person to another, although there are some key traits that autistic people share. These are:
The diagnosis process usually involves a multi-disciplinary diagnostic team - often including a speech and language therapist, paediatrician, psychiatrist and/or psychologist.
Because Asperger syndrome varies widely from person to person, making a diagnosis can be difficult. It is often diagnosed later in children than autism and sometimes symptoms may not be recognised and diagnosed until adulthood.
Autistic people, including those with Asperger syndrome, often communicate differently. They may have difficulties with interpreting both verbal and non-verbal language like gestures or tone of voice, or it may take them a little longer to understand. Some autistic people have a very literal understanding of language, and think people always mean exactly what they say.
They may find it difficult to use or understand:
These traits can express themselves in different ways. For instance, someone with Asperger syndrome may be very funny or sarcastic themselves, but they may not always pick up on sarcasm.
People with Asperger syndrome usually have good language skills, but they may still find it hard to understand the expectations of others within conversations, perhaps repeating what the other person has just said (this is called echolalia) or talking at length about their own interests.
People with Asperger syndrome may need more time to process information, and often find it easier to understand clear, consistent language, rather than abstract turns of phrase
