Asperger's Syndrome

Asperger's syndrome colloquially refers to a high functioning form of autism. Although it was once formally classified as a disorder separate from other forms of autism, Asperger’s is no longer an official separate diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). The behavior ascribed to Asperger’s is now encompassed under the umbrella diagnosis “Autism Spectrum Disorder” in the DSM.

People with high functioning autism/Asperger's often lack social skills and sometimes have problems with motor regulation. However, their language and cognitive skills are largely intact. To varying degrees, they may also lack the ability to understand the perspectives and feelings of others. They often have an orientation toward detail and an interest in systemizing, which can look like obsessiveness. Some may show remarkable facility in a narrowly focused and usually non-social area, such as baseball statistics or train schedules.