Asperger’s vs. autism: What's the difference?

Asperger’s disorder (also commonly referred to as Asperger’s syndrome or just Asperger’s) was first described by Hans Asperger in the 1940s. Since that time, Asperger’s (and Hans Asperger!) has been a topic of substantial debate. It was initially included as a discrete diagnostic category in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-4), but Asperger’s was reconceptualized as part of the new diagnostic category of autism spectrum disorders in the DSM-5. Despite being removed from the DSM in 2013, which is predominantly used in the US, other countries using the World Health Organization International Classification of Diseases (ICD) continued to use Asperger’s Syndrome until 2021 when ICD-11 also merged the diagnoses. Some members of the autistic community continue to use and identify with the term, which is absolutely valid. 

Read on to learn about Asperger’s and autism, how they are different, and the steps to getting a formal autism diagnosis.

The basics 

Asperger’s disorder in the DSM-4 shared the same criteria as autism but was differentiated by the absence of language and communication delays and the absence of a “clinically significant delay in cognitive development…” As a result, Asperger’s was often conceptualized and referred to as “high-functioning autism.” 

Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that results in persistent differences in social, communication, information processing, and sensory domains. 

The current diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder in accordance with the DSM-5 includes what was previously 4 distinct diagnoses:

• autism

• Asperger’s disorder

• childhood disintegrative disorder (CDD)

• pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS)

You can read the full DSM-5-TR criteria for autism here. 

What’s the difference between Asperger’s and autism? 

Asperger’s disorder is no longer used as a clinical diagnosis, but prior to the DSM-5 in 2013, Asperger’s disorder differed from autism in 4 ways. 

Asperger’s disorder did not include:

• diagnostic criteria in the communication domain

• a requirement for symptom onset prior to age 3

Instead, Asperger’s disorder included the additional criteria of:

• specifying the absence of a language delay

• specifying the absence of a deficit in cognitive development

Asperger’s disorder was used to describe autistic people whose traits were deemed less “severe” and did not have accompanying language and cognitive delays. However, we know now that ranking autism by severity levels or functioning labels is not beneficial, kind, or an accurate way of describing human beings. Since autism is a spectrum, the use of a linear scale ranging from “less autistic” to “more autistic” serves little purpose. The DSM-5-TR includes Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 support needs. Level 1 is often conceptualized as what would have described Asperger’s in the past, but it’s important to note that these levels are not useful and are not neurodiversity affirming. 

How to determine if you are on the autism spectrum, have autism or have Asperger’s syndrome

If you feel like you have been undiagnosed or misdiagnosed on the autism spectrum, your research could lead you to different spaces and communities of autistic people. Some of these communities still happily use and identify with Asperger’s, including r/aspie, r/aspergirls, r/aspiememes and more, on Reddit and other spaces. If these experiences and identities resonate with you, welcome. If you prefer to identify as autistic instead, welcome. It’s all a part of the same spectrum. Your identity is yours, and we’re here to help you explore that. 

If you believe that you may be on the autism spectrum, our autism assessment can help you gain clarity on your unique neurotype. Our neurodiversity-affirming therapy and coaching services are all about supporting you even further on your identity and needs exploration process. 

NeuroSpark can help you discover who you are on this beautiful spectrum 

It’s fascinating to learn and understand how broadly autism — and our understanding of it — continues to grow, change, and evolve. The medical community can (and should!) try, but it’s still catching up to the lived experiences of actually autistic people. You get to determine what resonates or does not resonate with you.

At NeuroSpark, we are about equipping you with the tools and information you need about yourself. We can help you accomplish this with autism assessment and autism-affirming therapy. We pride ourselves on authenticity — we are neurodivergent-led and center our work in lived experience. 

We are a judgment-free environment that is safe and affirming for all people, especially neurodivergent adults from marginalized communities. We offer one-on-one coaching and accommodations consulting. We also offer therapy in select states and are currently working to expand our network of neurodiversity-affirming therapy to include more states.