Abstract
The current version of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) does not consider Asperger syndrome a diagnostic category. This study was undertaken to see if there is evidence that this diagnosis should be reinstated. An online survey was conducted to examine symptoms and behaviors associated with the current diagnostic criteria of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) (DSM-V), and those associated with Asperger syndrome based on the previous version (DSM-IV-TR). The study also examined other characteristics historically associated with autism, as well as impairments often reported in infancy/young childhood and medical comorbidities frequently associated with autism. The sample included 251 individuals who had received a diagnosis of Asperger syndrome and 1888 who were diagnosed with autism or ASD. Numerous similarities and differences were found between the two groups. The findings are discussed in relation to reestablishing Asperger syndrome as a valid diagnostic category as well as a subtype of ASD.
Highlights
Asperger Syndrome Is a Subtype ofFrom 1994 to 2012, the American Psychiatric Association recognized autistic disorder and Asperger syndrome [1,2]
The criteria were similar to the “autistic disorder” diagnostic category defined in the previous version of the DSM
The results are presented with respect to non-significant and significant findings. The former reflect similarities between Asperger syndrome and autism/autism spectrum disorders (ASD), whereas the latter reflect the uniqueness of each group
Summary
From 1994 to 2012, the American Psychiatric Association recognized autistic disorder and Asperger syndrome [1,2]. The criteria for autistic disorder included onset prior to age three years; impairments in communication and social interaction; and restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, and activities. The criteria for Asperger syndrome were similar to autistic disorder except for a minimum age of onset in addition to minimal delays in cognition, adaptive skills, and language. The criteria were similar to the “autistic disorder” diagnostic category defined in the previous version of the DSM. The new version emphasized impairments in social communication rather than viewing challenges in communication as a trait independent of social interaction, and included hyper-reactivity, hypo-reactivity, or unusual interests with regard to processing sensory information
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