What is Asperger's syndrome?

Asperger’s syndrome is sometimes referred to as “mild autism,” meaning it’s on the higher-functioning end of the spectrum. Still, impairments and symptoms may range from mild to severe. Children with Asperger’s syndrome primarily have trouble with social and communication skills, but their intelligence levels are generally average to superior. As adults, many have satisfying careers and successful relationships; some have written books about their disorder. It’s often rumored that Albert Einstein had Asperger’s, and there are compelling arguments for this, but diagnosing long-gone figures is notoriously difficult.

From The Smart Parent's Guide: Getting Your Kids Through Checkups, Illnesses, and Accidents by Jennifer Trachtenberg.

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Asperger Syndrome (AS) is considered a pervasive developmental disorder at the higher functioning end of the autism spectrum. It is characterized by sustained impairment in social interaction and the development of restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests and activities. In contrast to autism, there are no obvious delays in language or cognitive development, or in age-appropriate self-help skills and adaptive behaviors though there are subtle impairments.

Source: Center for Autism & Related Disabilities (CARD)

Asperger syndrome is a mild type of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These disorders are characterized by problems with communication and social interaction and by unusual, repetitive behaviors. Some professionals use a broader term, called pervasive development disorders (PDDs), to describe autism spectrum disorders. In addition to Asperger syndrome, there are four other disorders that qualify as PDDs: autism, childhood disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), and Rett syndrome.

Children with Asperger syndrome usually have normal intelligence and do not have the language problems typical of autism. Patients with Asperger syndrome have many of the same social interaction and communication problems as autistic patients. However, patients with Asperger syndrome tend to have normal intelligence and verbal skills. Although these patients typically have strong verbal and grammar skills, they usually have other language problems, such as being too literal and/or having difficulty understanding non-verbal communications, such as body language. Other symptoms may include motor skill problems (e.g., clumsy movements), obsessive or repetitive routines and schedules, and sensitivity to sensory information (e.g., sound, light, or taste).

The cause of Asperger syndrome is currently unknown, although it may be inherited. Genetic mutations known to cause Asperger syndrome have not been discovered.

The age of diagnosis of Asperger syndrome is later than what is typical in autism, which may be because people with Asperger syndrome have normal language skills. Most children with Asperger syndrome are diagnosed between the ages of 8 and 11. Motor development delays, such as clumsiness and crawling or walking late, are often the first indications of the disorder. Although diagnosed mainly in children, Asperger syndrome is being increasingly diagnosed in adults who seek medical help for conditions such as depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

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Asperger's syndrome is at the high end of a spectrum of neurointegrative disorders that also includes autism. The condition is characterized by difficulty with communication and social interaction, as well as inflexible or repetitive behavior. Because of these traits, children with Asperger's syndrome can become extremely anxious, especially when the disorder is not recognized early and treated appropriately.

Asperger's syndrome is a disorder that makes it hard to understand how to behave in social situations. People with Asperger's may not recognize verbal and nonverbal cues or understand normal social rules, such as taking turns talking or recognizing personal space.