Asperger's Syndrome: History, DSM Evolution, and Current Classification

Asperger's syndrome was a distinct diagnosis (1994–2013) now subsumed under Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Historical Development

• 1944: Hans Asperger describes "autistic psychopathy" in boys with normal intelligence, social difficulties, intense interests.
• 1981: Lorna Wing popularizes "Asperger's syndrome."
• 1994 (DSM-IV): Included as separate PDD.
• 2013 (DSM-5): Merged into ASD (Level 1 "requiring support"). ICD-11 (2019) followed.

Why It Was Merged

• Poor diagnostic reliability (clinicians disagreed).
• No clear boundary with high-functioning autism.
• Same core deficits (social communication, RRBs) – dimensional, not categorical.
• Language delay distinction (Asperger's: no delay) not predictive of outcome.

Current Clinical Practice

Diagnosis: ASD Level 1. Specifiers: with/without intellectual impairment, with/without language impairment, associated with known genetic/medical condition. Many previously diagnosed retain "Asperger's" identity; community uses term.

Hans Asperger Controversy

Recent research (Herwig Czech, 2018) documents his cooperation with Nazi child "euthanasia" program. Some advocate retiring the eponym; others retain for historical context.