Asperger’s vs Autism: Difference and Comparison

Medical science has achieved a height of growth and discoveries in terms of diseases, syndromes, and other disorders. Some of these happen to be more drastic than others, and it becomes important to have known about them in detail.

Asperger’s and Autism are two types of disorders that somehow connect with each other but can be differentiated. Although nowadays, the diagnosis of both of these happens to be a similar procedure, they still differ in terms of origin and other salient features.

Key Takeaways

1. Asperger’s is a high-functioning autism spectrum disorder characterized by social challenges and repetitive behaviors.
2. Autism encompasses a broader range of symptoms and levels of impairment, affecting communication, social interaction, and behavior.
3. Asperger’s and autism require early intervention and tailored support to help individuals maximize their potential.

Asperger’s vs Autism 

Asperger’s syndrome is a type of pervasive developmental disorder which is classified as a part of the autism spectrum, characterized by difficulties in social interaction and nonverbal communication alongside restricted patterns of behaviour. Autism is a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviours, speech, and nonverbal communication.

Asperger’s is popularly termed another name that is Asperger’s Syndrome. In most cases, people are discovered with this disorder up to the age of two years, and there is a possibility that they never get rid of the symptoms.

Certain specific features of this syndrome are the problem in general communication or in expression or a low level of intelligence in the patient. Because of being related to behaviours that resemble autism, this is characterized by autism spectrum disorder. 

But on the contrary, Autism can be defined as a neurological disorder similar to Asperger’s but just with harsh and severe symptoms and conditions. People having this disorder are more likely to receive the worst symptoms, such as low IQ and communication difficulties.

Although there is no such treatment available that is able to cure this disorder, certain practices have been developed with time that helps the patients to become more efficient and reduce the symptoms. 

Comparison Table

Parameters of Comparison	Asperger’s	Autism
Meaning	A neurological disorder or syndrome in which the person feels difficulty in understanding or expressing himself or has a poor intelligence level along with repeated patterns.	A neurological disorder in which a person feels trouble communicating with others and shows behaviors that are consistent. This syndrome causes harsh symptoms.
Causes	It is presumed to be obtained due to genetics.	It is presumed to be obtained by genetics or factors related to the environment.
Symptoms	Difficulty in understanding humor or sarcasm, violent behavior, difficulty in learning skills, etc.	The symptoms exist in a variety of conditions such as Repetitive body movements, difficulty in communication, inability to understand society and good and bad, etc.
Nature	It has a comparatively less harsh nature.	It has a very harsh nature and can have really bad symptoms.
Also known as	Asperger’s disorder or syndrome	High functioning autism.
Named by	It was named in the year 1925 by a Soviet psychiatrist named Grunya Sukhareva.	The name was coined by a Psychiatrist of Switzerland Eugen Bleuler in the year 1910.
Cure	Therapy and behavior or skills lessons are presumed to be helpful.	Regular behavior exercises and lessons are presumed to be helpful. And the injection of rubella during pregnancy is also said to be helpful.

What is Asperger’s? 

Asperger’s Illness, known as Asperger’s Syndrome, is a neurological disorder or syndrome in which a person has trouble understanding or expressing himself, as well as a low intellectual level and repetitive patterns. 

This behaviour is occasionally accompanied by the person’s violent or criminal actions. However, this is a very unusual arrest. When it comes to the origins of the phrase, it was coined by a Soviet psychiatrist named Grunya Sukhareva. 

However, the name was derived from Hans Asperger, an Austrian paediatrician. This is due to the fact that in 1944, a distinct category of children was described. These children struggled to form social bonds and acted violently or ignorantly toward even the slightest of objects.  

According to studies and research, this is caused by genetics and is mostly hereditary. Although there is no definitive treatment or medication for this ailment, therapy in the form of skill sessions has appeared to aid in some situations.

Difficulties comprehending humour or sarcasm, hostile conduct, difficulty learning skills, and other symptoms are the most common. 

What is Autism? 

In the year 1910, a Swiss psychiatrist named Eugen Bleuler invented the term Autism. In simple terms, it is a neurological disease in which a person has difficulty communicating with others and exhibits consistent actions. 

This syndrome manifests itself in a variety of ways, including difficulty relating to society, difficulty communicating with peers, and the repetition of particular patterns, such as nodding the head or clapping hands. 

It was thought to be a naturally occurring condition in the beginning, but it wasn’t until 2007 that the world learned that this sickness is primarily caused by genetics. In fact, this is the most common form of genetic sickness. 

Although as far as a cure is concerned, there are not any, some regular behaviour exercises and lessons are presumed to be helpful. And the injection of rubella during pregnancy is also said to be helpful.

With the passage of time, the world has started this syndrome without labelling it a disease and labelling its patients psychotic. 

Main Differences Between Asperger’s and Autism 

1. Asperger’s is basically a neurological disorder or syndrome in which the person feels difficulty in understanding or expressing himself, while on the other hand, Autism is a neurological disorder in which a person feels trouble communicating with others and shows behaviours that are consistent. 
2. Asperger’s was named in the year 1925 by a Soviet psychiatrist named Grunya Sukhareva. But the name, Autism was coined by a Psychiatrist of Switzerland, Eugen Bleuler, in the year 1910. 
3. Asperger’s is presumed to be obtained due to genetics. But on the contrary, Autism is presumed to be obtained by genetics or factors related to the environment. 
4. Asperger’s disorder or syndrome is another name for Asperger’s, while High functioning autism is another name for Autism. 
5. Asperger’s happens to be a disorder with mild symptoms, while Autism has more severe and harsh symptoms. 

References

1. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=05lyDb7hqX8C&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=aspergers+and+autism&ots=xIlsvRLMKG&sig=EVKASY_St6Ark6PH5DEnzyzZU4s
2. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1469-8749.1989.tb04066.x

Last Updated : 29 July, 2023