As a parent of a child with autism, it’s important to understand the difference between an autism diagnosis and an historical Asperger’s diagnosis. Asperger’s has not been used as a standalone diagnosis since 2013. However, learning the difference between autism and Asperger’s can impact how your family approaches treatment for your child.
For over 70 years, doctors treated Asperger’s as its own diagnosis. Many professionals believed Asperger’s was a more mild form of autism, leading to the origin of the phrase “high-functioning.”
Today, providers diagnose children who exhibit Asperger’s symptoms with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Their symptoms are typically on the milder side, but every child experiences symptoms differently. That’s why we use the word “spectrum” – ASD features a wide range of symptoms and experiences.
For example, some individuals with ASD are non-verbal or may have low IQs. Others have higher than average IQs and only minor social deficits.
No matter the symptoms, it’s important to get treatment for your child with ASD as soon as possible. Early intervention is one of the surest ways that your child will develop necessary life skills and become independent. At BlueSprig, we offer applied behavior analysis (ABA) treatment to help children develop those skills and live satisfying lives.
History of Autism and Asperger’s Diagnoses
Doctors used to think of Asperger’s Syndrome as a separate condition from autism. Historically, scholars and research have associated Asperger’s with less severe symptoms and good language and cognitive skills. Therefore, doctors issued this diagnosis to “high-functioning” children for decades.
Asperger’s was identified by Austrian pediatrician Hans Asperger in 1944. He noticed that some children with autism had better-developed social and motor skills and fewer speech problems than their peers. He identified these children as having a condition similar to but undoubtedly unique from autism. This disorder came to be known as Asperger’s, and it first appeared in the 1994 edition of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV).
In 2013, with the updated DSM-V, Asperger’s was reclassified as part of the broader autism spectrum, rather than a standalone diagnosis. Today, children experiencing developmental delays and symptoms of autism are instead more likely to receive an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis. ASD is a broad category of developmental disorders that share some symptoms.
Many people believe this change is beneficial. An ASD diagnosis is more inclusive, and reflects the fact that autism develops with a range of symptoms.
Range of Symptoms in Autism and Asperger’s
Speech and Language
The principal difference between autism and what was once diagnosed as Asperger’s is that the latter features milder symptoms and an absence of language delays. Most children who previously received an Asperger’s diagnosis had strong language skills, but may have had difficulty “fitting in” with their peers. They might feel uncomfortable or awkward, but their language skills were present.
Children with autism, on the other hand, often exhibit problems with speech and communication. They may have difficulty understanding what someone is saying to them. Or, they may be unable to pick up on nonverbal cues like hand gestures and facial expressions. Children with autism also frequently exhibit repetitive or “rigid” language as well as narrow topics of interest. For example, a child with autism may have a strong interest in basketball and only talk about that sport.
Cognitive Functioning
Another key difference between autism and what providers previously diagnosed as Asperger’s was in cognitive functioning. By definition, a person with Asperger’s could not have a “clinically significant” cognitive delay, a symptom doctors typically do identify among children with autism. Children on the “lower end” of the spectrum (what was once diagnosed as Asperger’s) had lower support needs, and average to above-average intelligence, while other children on the spectrum usually had significant cognitive delays.
For example, a child who had difficulty recognizing and responding to others may have received an autism diagnosis. On the other hand, another child who exhibited other common symptoms of ASD, but was perceived by their diagnosing provider as intelligent, with well-developed cognitive skills, would have been more likely to receive an Asperger’s diagnosis than their peer.
Age of Onset
Another difference between autism and Asperger’s is the age of onset, or the age at which they receives a diagnosis. The average age of diagnosis for a child with autism is four, while a person with Asperger’s may not have received a diagnosis until later in life, whenthey are a teenager or even an adult.
This may be because children with Asperger’s do not exhibit language delays or have lower IQs. Many parents may not realize their child has a developmental delay until they begin school and engage in more social interactions.
Treatment for Children with Autism
Learning about the difference between autism and Asperger’s is helpful, but taking action is even more important. At BlueSprig, we encourage parents to seek treatment for their child as early as possible. Research suggests that early intervention provides the best opportunity for children to learn valuable independent life skills.