What is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) with Asperger's type?

From the Guidelines

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) with Asperger's Type

Asperger's disorder is a type of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) characterized by difficulties in social interaction and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, without delays in language acquisition or unusual behaviors during the first years of life 1.

• Individuals with Asperger's disorder often have precocious language development, but may exhibit formal, pedantic, and one-sided communication styles, which can lead to social difficulties 1.
• The outcome in Asperger's disorder generally appears to be better than that for autism, possibly due to better cognitive and verbal abilities 1.
• Asperger's disorder is distinct from other ASD subtypes, such as Rett's disorder and childhood disintegrative disorder, which have different clinical features and outcomes 1.
• The diagnosis of ASD, including Asperger's type, is based on the presence of deficits in social communication/interaction (SCI) and restricted/repetitive behaviors (RRBs), with high interrater reliability and temporal stability 1.
• Individuals with ASD, including those with Asperger's type, often have co-occurring medical and mental health conditions, such as intellectual disability, seizure disorder, gastrointestinal problems, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, and other conditions 1.

From the Research

Definition of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication, and restricted repetitive behavior 2, 3, 4, 5
• ASD is a group of neurodevelopmental disorders with a suspected heritable or sporadic genetic basis, but its underlying etiology and pathogenesis are not well understood 4

Asperger's Type Autism Spectrum Disorder

• Asperger's syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder which is part of the large family of autism spectrum disorders 6
• People with Asperger's syndrome have difficulties in social interactions, verbal and non-verbal communication, and may display behavioural oddities, with stereotypies and limited interests 6
• They show no language delay and their cognitive development is not marked by an overall delay but by specific impairments in certain areas such as the executive functions 6
• Asperger's syndrome is often diagnosed belatedly, at 11 years of age on average and even in adulthood in some cases, which can have a significant impact on the risks of depression and a poor quality of life 6

Clinical Presentations and Diagnosis

• The clinical presentations of Asperger's syndrome are very heterogeneous, varying according to age and psychiatric comorbidities 6
• Screening, diagnosis, and specialized treatment are not made any easier by the diversity of the clinical manifestations 6
• The criterion standard for the diagnosis of ASD is a comprehensive evaluation with a multidisciplinary team of clinicians and is based on semistructured direct observation of the child's behavior and semistructured caregiver interview focused on the individual's development and behaviors using standardized measures 3
• Common early signs and symptoms of ASD in a child's first 2 years of life include no response to name when called, no or limited use of gestures in communication, and lack of imaginative play 3

Treatment and Management

• The goals of treatment for ASD are to target core behaviors, improve social interactions and communication, and reduce disruptive behavior 2
• Intensive behavioral interventions, such as the Early Start Denver Model, are beneficial in children 5 years or younger for improvement in language, play, and social communication 3
• Pharmacotherapy is indicated for co-occurring psychiatric conditions, such as emotion dysregulation or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder 3