Asperger’s and autism are no longer considered separate diagnoses. People who may have previously received an Asperger’s diagnosis instead now receive an autism diagnosis. But many people who were diagnosed with Asperger’s before the diagnostic criteria changed in 2013 are still perceived as “having Asperger’s.” And many people also consider Asperger’s as part of their identity. This is especially considering the stigma that still surrounds autism diagnoses in many communities around the world. Yet the only real “difference” between the two diagnoses is that people with Asperger’s may be considered as having an easier time “passing” as neurotypical with only “mild” signs and symptoms that may resemble those of autism. Not all autistic children exhibit the same signs of autism or experience these signs to the same degree. That’s why autism is considered to be on a spectrum. There’s a wide range of behaviors and experiences that are considered to fall under the umbrella of an autism diagnosis. Here’s a brief overview of behaviors that may cause someone to be diagnosed with autism: Differences in processing sensory experiences, like touch or sound, from those who are considered “ neurotypical’’ differences in learning styles and problem-solving approaches, like quickly learning complex or difficult topics but having difficulty mastering physical tasks or conversational turn-taking Deep, sustained special interests in specific topics Repetitive movements or behaviors (sometimes called “stimming”), like flapping hands or rocking back and forth strong desire to maintain routines or establishing order, like following the same schedule each day or organizing personal belongings a certain way Difficulty processing and producing verbal or nonverbal communication, like having trouble expressing thoughts in words or displaying emotions outwardly Difficulty processing or participating in neurotypical social interactive contexts, like by greeting someone back who’s greeted them Asperger’s syndrome was previously considered a “mild” or “high-functioning” form of autism. This means people who received an Asperger’s diagnosis tended to experience behaviors of autism that were often considered minimally different from those of neurotypical people. Asperger’s was first introduced into the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) in 1994. The symptoms are: having difficulty with verbal or nonverbal communication, such as eye contact or sarcasm having few or no long-term social relationships with peers Lack of interest in taking part in activities or interests with others showing little to no response to social or emotional experiences having a sustained interest in a single special topic or very few topics Strict adherence to routine or ritual behaviors Repetitive behaviors or movements intense interest in specific aspects of objects experiencing difficulty in maintaining relationships, jobs, or other aspects of daily life because of these previously listed sign not having any delay in language learning or cognitive development typical of other, similar neuro developmental conditions When they were considered to be separate diagnoses, Asperger’s was differentiated from autism in two main areas: Severity. Those diagnosed with Asperger’s were higher functioning and typically had average to superior IQs, requiring less support than those diagnosed with autism. Language. Those diagnosed with Asperger’s had no speech or language impairment Children at all levels of the spectrum may have social awkwardness and experience isolation. People with Asperger’s have better language skills but still may have difficulty conversing with others. Identifying social cues can be difficult, although kids with Asperger’s often have an easier time making eye contact, which aids in social interaction. One similarity that all people across the spectrum have is the human ability to love, and the desire to be loved in return. Appearing to be obsessively focused on objects and sameness, the children ranged from nonverbal to [having] language abilities like that of ‘little professors.’ This divergence in language abilities led to the split between autistic and Asperger’s, or low and high functioning. There are many theories, but no conclusions, about the exact cause of Asperger’s syndrome and autism. A new brain-tissue study indicates that people with ASD have more connections (synapses) between their brain cells than neurotypical people do. ASD has no one cause, but is brought about by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. These may include: Family history of autism Familial or parental diagnoses of conditions such as bipolar disorder or anxiety disorder Advanced paternal or maternal age Being part of a twin or triplet set Prematurity of less than 26 weeks Low birth weight Prenatal exposure to heavy metals and toxins