Asperger's vs. Autism: What's the Difference Today?

Asperger's syndrome is not a diagnosis doctors use anymore. In 2013, it was folded into a single diagnosis called autism spectrum disorder (ASD). If your child, a family member, or someone you know was diagnosed with Asperger's before that change, they are still considered to be on the autism spectrum today, just without a separate label.

This change confuses a lot of families, especially if you grew up hearing the term Asperger's or were diagnosed with it yourself years ago. Here is what the term meant, why it changed, and what it means for how autism is understood today.

What Was Asperger's Syndrome?

Asperger's syndrome was previously used to describe autistic individuals who did not have a language delay and who were generally seen as higher functioning. People with an Asperger's diagnosis often had strong verbal skills, average or above average intelligence, and intense, focused interests, but still experienced differences in social communication, routines, and sensory processing.

Why Did Asperger's Syndrome Become Part of Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Researchers and clinicians found that Asperger's syndrome, autistic disorder, and a few other related diagnoses were not as clinically distinct as once thought. The traits overlapped significantly, and there was no reliable way to draw a firm line between them. In 2013, the diagnostic manual used by clinicians (the DSM-5) combined these into one diagnosis, autism spectrum disorder, which is described along a spectrum of support needs rather than as separate categories. This change reflects something important about autism in general: it does not look the same in every person. Two autistic children can have very different strengths, challenges, and support needs, which is part of why the word spectrum is used.

What Does Spectrum Mean in Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Spectrum refers to the wide range of ways autism can show up. It is not a simple line from mild to severe. A person can have significant support needs in one area, like communication, and very few in another, like academics. Two autistic children sitting next to each other in a classroom may need completely different kinds of support, even if they share the same diagnosis.

Common Traits Historically Associated With Asperger's

If you are researching what used to be called Asperger's, you will likely come across descriptions like these. Keep in mind these traits exist across the autism spectrum, not as a separate category:

Strong or advanced verbal language skills, often with a large vocabulary from an early age.
Deep, focused interests, sometimes in a specific subject, system, or topic that the person can speak about in great detail.
Differences in social communication, such as difficulty reading nonverbal cues, taking turns in conversation, or understanding unspoken social rules.
Sensory sensitivities, to sound, touch, light, or texture.
A strong preference for routine and predictability, with distress when plans change unexpectedly.

Is It Okay to Still Use the Word Asperger's?

Some people who were diagnosed before 2013 still identify with the term Asperger's, and that is a personal choice that should be respected. Clinically, though, providers now diagnose autism spectrum disorder, sometimes noting a person's specific support needs (level 1, 2, or 3) rather than using a separate Asperger's label. If your child is newly evaluated today, the diagnosis they receive will be autism spectrum disorder, not Asperger's.

A caregiver and a young girl practicing music therapy skills.

What Should You Do If You Are Noticing These Traits in Your Child?

If your child shows strong language skills alongside differences in social communication, sensory sensitivities, or a strong need for routine, a developmental evaluation can help clarify what is going on and what kind of support might help. Many children who would have previously received an Asperger's diagnosis benefit from speech therapy focused on social communication (sometimes called pragmatic language), occupational therapy for sensory needs, and support navigating social situations at school.