Reviewed by the Paradigm Leadership Team

Is the term “Asperger’s” still relevant today? Not exactly. 

While it was once a commonly used term, today, Asperger’s and the symptoms associated with it are considered a subtype of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). That means you won’t find the term used in clinical settings, nor will an individual receive an Asperger’s diagnosis.

At Paradigm Treatment, we’re committed to providing informed and inclusive care for teens with neurodiverse needs, including the challenges formerly associated with Asperger’s syndrome. Read on to learn why experts are moving away from the term, including what this means for teens and others on the autism spectrum. 

Table of Contents: 

• What is Asperger’s?
• Why We’re Moving Away from the Term “Asperger’s”
• Controversy Around the Term
• Is Asperger’s Still a Term that is Being Used Non-Clinically?
• What the Change Means for Teens and Families
• Taking a Holistic Approach to Neurodiversity 

What is Asperger’s? History of a Contested Diagnosis

Asperger’s refers to a type of high-functioning autism where an individual struggles with issues around socialization, communication, and sensory overload. 

The concept of Asperger’s was first described independently by Leo Kanner in 1943 and Hans Asperger in 1944. Kanner identified “autism” as a distinct neurodevelopmental condition marked by social detachment and insistence on sameness. Around the same time, Hans Asperger described children with social difficulties, intense interests, and strong language skills, a profile that would later be known as Asperger syndrome. Asperger’s work, published in German, was largely unknown internationally until the 1980s, when Lorna Wing introduced the term “Asperger syndrome.” The diagnosis was added to the third edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) in 1994, and removed in 2013. 

So what is Asperger’s if not its own diagnosis? In common usage, it’s a term that describes a person with high-functioning autistic traits such as those mentioned above. But as we’ve learned more about ASD, clinicians have forgone the term and rejected the division it caused. 

Why We’re Moving Away from the Term “Asperger’s”

There are a couple of reasons why the term is no longer used. 

The first is an unhelpful lack of distinction between Asperger’s and autism. Autism is a disorder that exists on a wide spectrum, with a ton of variation in terms of symptoms and severity. For treatment purposes, it’s more helpful to look at the symptoms associated with Asperger’s as one way that autism can be experienced, and not a disorder all its own. 

There was also a push to reduce confusion around the term. After all, there was already significant overlap between its symptoms and those of autism. Combining the disorders makes sense for clarity and helps promote more accurate, more individualized diagnoses. 

Controversy Around the Term 

Clinical logistics are a big part of why Asperger’s has stopped being a thing, but they don’t tell the whole story. 

Also relevant is the controversy around Hans Asperger himself, who served as a German medical officer in World War II and had strong Nazi affiliations. By retiring the term, the American Psychiatric Association (APA), publisher of the DSM, was able to shift away from these historical associations, all while promoting a more respectful language around identity and autism. 

Still, among autistic people with Asperger’s-like symptoms, not all reject the term so clearly. Some continue to find it a helpful way to describe their experience, and you’ll see it used quite often in the autism community, especially among those who were diagnosed with the syndrome prior to its removal from the DSM. 

Is Asperger’s Still a Term That is Used Non-Clincially?

Circling back to our original question, it’s clear that the answer isn’t always as simple as a “yes” or “no.” Instead, it depends on who you ask, though you won’t find it diagnosed in clinical settings. 

These days, individuals who would have once been diagnosed with it are now diagnosed with ASD. More specifically, they are diagnosed with Level 1 Autism, considered the mildest form of the disorder. 

What the Change Means for Teens and Families

It’s been more than a decade since Asperger’s was removed from the DSM. And in that time, we’ve gained significantly more knowledge around how autism shows up from person to person and how these differences do (and don’t) impact the approach to treatment. 

Teens once diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome are now diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum, with an emphasis on individualized support based on personal needs, not labels. That being said, the change does not invalidate past diagnoses, and, as noted, many people still find it’s the best way to describe where they fall on the autism spectrum. 

Taking a Holistic Approach to Neurodiversity

Paradigm Treatment provides holistic, teen-centered care that recognizes the full spectrum of autism. That includes fostering a respectful and informed environment that avoids outdated or stigmatizing language, as well as creating individualized treatment plans that support emotional, academic, and social growth. 

With this in mind, is Asperberger’s still a thing? For the most part, no, and we hope that by explaining the evolution of this term, we can help reduce stigma and promote compassionate care in our treatment centers and beyond. 

We want families to feel empowered to seek support that meets their teen’s unique needs. Please contact us to learn more about autism-informed care at Paradigm Treatment and how we support neurodiverse teens.

The Paradigm leadership team includes therapists, clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, medical professionals, and experienced program directors. With backgrounds in family therapy, psychiatry, social work, nursing, and program administration, this multidisciplinary team brings a high level of expertise and coordination to support our clients throughout treatment.