The differences between Asperger syndrome and autism
Autism is a disorder that is highly known today, with the majority of the population knowing some of its main characteristics. The same goes for Asperger's syndrome. Both disorders are now part of the so-called autism spectrum disorder or ASD, having been integrated into a single disorder in the DSM 5 due to the presence of a very similar symptomatology.
However, if this had not occurred until now it is because although similar and closely related, there are elements that distinguish them. It is about these characteristics that we are going to talk about in this article: the main ones Differences between Asperger's syndrome and Autism .
- Related article: "Autism Spectrum Disorders: 10 Symptoms and Diagnosis"
Conceptualizing autism
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by the presence of social, language and behavioral alterations. It is a problem that is usually detected at very early stages of development, can be seen usually before three years of age some of the main symptoms .
In this sense, it highlights the presence of communicative deficits such as the absence or difficulty when using or understanding nonverbal language, difficulties in relating or even in some cases apparent lack of interest in it. They find it difficult to understand that others have a mind independent of theirs, and sometimes they can have instrumental attitudes. They usually reject physical contact (although in some cases they do accept or look for significant persons). They often give the impression of being locked inside , with behaviors little exploratory with the environment.
It is common to be together with a certain degree of intellectual disability, as well as a delay in the acquisition and development of language (being able in some cases not to acquire it completely). They have great difficulty with the social and pragmatic use of language, and in some cases they may even reach total silence, or the emission of few sounds.
A behavioral level highlights the presence of repetitive and routine interests and activities, with which they tend to have great fixation. They tend to be rigid, costing them to adapt to novelties and requiring routines to feel safe. By last, may have hiccups or hypersensitivity to stimulation (Frequently to noises and lights) and it is usual to present stereotyped movements that serve as self-stimulation.
- Maybe you're interested: "4 TV series that have characters with Autism Spectrum Disorders"
Asperger's syndrome
As regards Asperger syndrome, it is also a neurodevelopmental disorder but it usually takes much longer to observe, generally when the level of social demand begins to increase and closer links are established. Share with the autism the existence of interpersonal and communicative difficulties, as well as the existence of restricted interests and repetitive behavior patterns (also requiring routines and presenting difficulties to get used to changes).
In language they also have difficulties, although there is no delay and the problem is limited to the pragmatic use of this and the understanding of figurative language. They are usually very literal . They find it difficult to capture information about other people's emotions, and it is often difficult for them to express their own, both verbally and non-verbally. Most of them have a normative cognitive capacity and usually do not suffer from intellectual disability.
Despite this, there is usually a certain motor delay. Typical behavior is usually adaptive and they tend to be curious and interested in the outside environment.
- Related article: "Asperger's syndrome: 10 signs to identify this disorder"
Main differences
Given the generic descriptions of both disorders, we can observe that although they share a large number of characteristics, they present traits that have caused up to a few years ago to be considered different disorders. The main differences are the following.
1. Intellectual capacity
One of the perhaps most remarkable differences between Asperger and autism is found in the tendency to have certain levels of intellectual capacity . While asperger is usually found an intellectual capacity in the population average, autism usually has some degree of intellectual disability (although in some cases they have a cognitive ability located in the population mean).
- Related article: "Types of intellectual disability (and characteristics)"
2. Adaptive behavior and autonomy
Although there are elements that pose difficulties for both, as a rule the asperger usually can act autonomously without major problems (beyond possible social problems).In the case of typical autism, these difficulties are much greater and those who suffer from it may need continued support
3. Differences in the language
Although in both cases there is some kind of difficulty in the language, there are great differences regarding this capacity.
In the case of Asperger's syndrome, who has it tends to present problems with figurative language, the pragmatic use of it or the understanding of aspects related to emotions (both orally and gesturally). However, they usually have a rich vocabulary and adequate speech at their maturational level, sometimes even excessively cultured, and they can usually express themselves correctly.
The person with autism, however, usually presents a delayed language with respect to its maturational level , having severe difficulties in the expression of his thoughts.
4. Contact with others
Both subjects with autism and subjects with asperger are characterized by social difficulties. However, in the case of Asperger these tend to be interested in establishing social connections, while subjects with autism tend to seek more isolation and to avoid further contact.
5. Movements
Another aspect that usually differentiates both disorders is the presence of alterations in movement. In autism, for example, stereotyped movements are common , something that does not happen in the asperger. However, in the latter case there is usually some delay in motor development, which is not usually described in typical autism.
6. Interests
Although in both cases there are restricted and repetitive interests, even obsessive, in autism are usually based on a specific stimulus while in the asperger they are usually broader or more elaborate subjects.
7. Age of detection and diagnosis
Although this aspect may not seem to be characteristic of the disorder, it does provide an idea that the symptomatology is more or less marked and evident in one or the other case.
Typical autism or Kanner type autism is usually diagnosed before the third year of the subject's life while Asperger syndrome is usually diagnosed much later, usually around seven years or even in adolescence.
Bibliographic references:
- American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Fifth edition. DSM-V. Masson, Barcelona.
- American Psychiatric Association (2002). DSM-IV-TR. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Spanish edition. Barcelona: Masson. (Original in English of 2000).
- Thief, A. (2012). Clinical psychology for children. CEDE Preparation Manual PIR, 03. CEDE: Madrid.
