Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome are two developmental disorders that are often confused with each other. While they share some similarities, they are distinct in their symptoms and severity.

In this article, we will explore the differences between Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome.

What is Autism?

Autism is a neurological disorder that affects social interaction, communication, and behavior. It is a spectrum disorder, meaning there is a wide range of symptoms, abilities, and severity levels among those who are diagnosed with it.

The symptoms of Autism typically appear in the first two years of a child’s life.

Some of the common symptoms of Autism include:.

Difficulty with social interaction and communication
Delayed speech or no speech at all
Difficulty making eye contact
Repetitive behaviors or routines
Insistence on sameness and resistance to change

Autism is often diagnosed when a child is around two to three years old. The diagnosis is made based on the observation of the child’s behavior, social interaction, and communication skills.

There is no cure for Autism, but early intervention can help improve the child’s abilities and outcomes.

What is Asperger’s Syndrome?

Asperger’s Syndrome is also a neurological disorder that falls on the Autism spectrum. It is similar to Autism, but the symptoms are less severe and there is a normal to high level of intelligence and language development.

Asperger’s Syndrome is usually diagnosed in childhood, but some people are not diagnosed until adulthood.

The symptoms of Asperger’s Syndrome include:.

Difficulty with social interaction and communication
Repetitive behaviors or routines
Intense interest in a particular subject
Lack of empathy and understanding for social norms

The main difference between Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome is the level of language development and intellectual functioning.

People with Asperger’s Syndrome typically have normal to high levels of intelligence and language development, while those with Autism may have a delay or lack of language development. Asperger’s Syndrome is often diagnosed later in childhood or in adulthood than Autism.

Different Diagnosing Criteria

Diagnosing Autism is usually done by observing the child’s behavior, social interaction, and language development. However, there is no clear set of diagnostic criteria for Asperger’s Syndrome.

The American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) does not list Asperger’s Syndrome as a separate diagnosis since 2013. Instead, it falls under the category of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

This means that people who were previously diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome are now considered to have ASD. However, some people still use the term Asperger’s Syndrome to describe a high functioning type of Autism.

Severity

Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome vary in severity. Autism is a spectrum disorder, which means that the severity of symptoms can range from mild to severe.

Asperger’s Syndrome is considered a high functioning type of Autism, and the symptoms are generally less severe than typical Autism. However, the severity of Asperger’s Syndrome can still vary from person to person.

Treatment

There is no cure for Autism or Asperger’s Syndrome. However, early intervention can help improve the child’s abilities and outcomes. Some of the treatments that are used for Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome include:.

Behavioral therapy
Social skills training
Speech and language therapy
Sensory integration therapy
Medications for co-occurring conditions

The treatment plan for each person with Autism or Asperger’s Syndrome will be unique and will depend on the individual’s specific needs and symptoms. Treatment can help improve social skills, communication, and behavior in both disorders.

Conclusion

Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome are two developmental disorders that are similar in some ways but different in others.

Autism is typically diagnosed when a child is around two to three years old and is identified by social interaction, communication, and behavior issues. Asperger’s Syndrome is a higher functioning type of Autism, with normal to high levels of intelligence and language development.

While there are differences between Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome, both conditions fall on the Autism spectrum and share some of the same symptoms.

Early intervention and treatment can help improve outcomes and abilities for those with either diagnosis.