What is the difference between Autism and Aspergers Syndrome anyway?
For many years, people were diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome or Autism as if they were separate conditions. Today, however, there is no medical distinction between Asperger’s and autism — and understanding why can help reduce confusion, stigma, and misinformation.
The Short Answer
From a medical and diagnostic perspective, Asperger’s is no longer a separate diagnosis.
It is now considered part of the autism spectrum, officially referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
What Was Asperger’s?
Historically, Asperger’s Syndrome was used to describe people who:
Met the criteria for autism
Did not have a learning disability
Did not have a delay in spoken language
Often needed less obvious day-to-day support
Many people associated Asperger’s with being “high-functioning” — a term that is now widely recognised as unhelpful and inaccurate.
What Changed?
In 2013, the diagnostic manual used by clinicians (the DSM-5) removed Asperger’s Syndrome as a separate diagnosis. Instead, all previous autism-related diagnoses were brought under one umbrella: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
This change was later reflected in international diagnostic guidance (including the ICD-11).
Why Was Asperger’s Merged into Autism?
1. There Was No Clear Medical Difference
Research showed that there was no consistent biological, neurological, or genetic difference between people diagnosed with Asperger’s and those diagnosed with autism.
Clinicians often disagreed on which diagnosis to give — two people with very similar traits might receive different labels depending on:
Location
Clinician experience
Cultural expectations
This made the distinction unreliable.
2. Autism Is a Spectrum
Autism affects people in very different ways.
Some people need a lot of support, others need less — but support needs can change over time and vary by environment.
The spectrum is not a straight line from “mild” to “severe”.
It’s more like a profile of traits, including:
Sensory processing
Communication style
Executive functioning
Emotional regulation
Social interaction
Using one spectrum allows for a more accurate and flexible understanding.
3. “Functioning Labels” Were Harmful
The Asperger’s label often became shorthand for “less autistic” or “not really disabled,” which caused problems:
People with higher support needs were underestimated or dismissed
People labelled “high-functioning” were often denied support, despite struggling significantly
It reinforced stereotypes about what autism “should look like”
It forced individuals to mask in order to survive - it did not enable them to thrive.
Moving to a spectrum model helps centre individual needs, not labels.
4. Equal Access to Support
In some places, people diagnosed with Asperger’s were excluded from services because they were seen as “not autistic enough.”
A single diagnosis helps ensure:
Fairer access to support
Clearer pathways to accommodations
Less gatekeeping based on outdated labels
What About People Diagnosed with Asperger’s?
If you were diagnosed with Asperger’s:
Your diagnosis is still valid
You are considered autistic under current medical understanding
You can choose how you identify
Some people prefer:
“Autistic”
“Autistic person (formerly Asperger’s)”
“Asperger’s” as an identity label
All of these choices are personal and valid.
Why Do Some People Still Use the Term Asperger’s?
It was part of their original diagnosis
It helped them understand themselves at the time
It feels tied to identity or community
Not everyone has been told about the diagnostic change
It’s also worth acknowledging that the term “Asperger’s” has a complex and troubling history, which has led many people to move away from it — but this doesn’t invalidate the experiences of those who were given that diagnosis.
So What’s the Best Term to Use Now?
Medically and clinically:
Autism or Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC)
Socially and personally:
Use the language someone prefers for themselves
Respecting identity matters more than enforcing terminology.
In Summary
Asperger’s and autism are not medically different conditions
Asperger’s is now understood as part of the autism spectrum
The change improves accuracy, inclusion, and access to support
People can choose how they identify — there’s no single “right” label