Over the years, I have met many parents who come to me with the same question:
“What is the difference between Autism Spectrum Disorder and Asperger’s Disorder?”
Some parents tell me their child was diagnosed with Asperger’s, not autism. Others hear from friends or online sources that Asperger’s is milder and wonder whether their child truly needs intervention — or whether Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is necessary at all.
This confusion is completely understandable. The terminology around autism has changed significantly over the past decade, and many websites still use outdated language. I hope this article provides clarity and helps parents make informed decisions about support and treatment.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) is commonly used by healthcare professionals worldwide to classify disorders using specific, standardized criteria.
In the previous version of the DSM (DSM-IV-TR), Asperger’s Syndrome was a separate diagnosis from Autistic Disorder. Both fell under a broader category called Pervasive Developmental Disorders.
Below is a simplified comparison of the diagnostic criteria:
| Asperger’s Syndrome | Autism Disorder |
|---|---|
| Restricted/repetitive behavior and interest | Restricted/repetitive behavior and interest |
| No language delay before age of 3 | Significant delays in language (e.g., no single words by age 2, no phrases by age 3) |
| No intellectual impairment | Often accompanied by intellectual disability (though not always) |
Because children with Asperger’s often had stronger language and cognitive skills, many people believed it represented a milder form of autism. However, in clinical practice, this distinction was often misleading.
Clinicians often found that this group of children still struggled significantly with social understanding, flexibility, emotional regulation, and peer relationships. Many of these challenges were very similar to those seen in children diagnosed with Autistic Disorder.
In 2013, the diagnostic system changed. Instead of separating autism into different categories, the term Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) was introduced in the DSM-5.
This change occurred for several key reasons:
Today, a child who would have previously been diagnosed with Asperger’s would likely receive a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). It is important to understand that this change does not mean the child’s challenges have changed. It simply reflects a more accurate and useful way of understanding autism.
Many adults still identify with the term because it was the diagnosis they received when they were young. Furthermore, some countries and older online articles continue to use it. This is why parents still come across the word and wonder whether ASD and Asperger’s are different.
Clinically, however, ASD is now the accepted and updated terminology worldwide.
Regardless of the name—ASD or Asperger’s—what truly matters is understanding your child’s unique strengths and challenges. A diagnosis should never limit expectations. Instead, it helps us identify which skills to teach and how to support your child more effectively.
In my work, I have seen many children make incredible progress when they receive consistent, individualized ABA intervention. Their capacity to learn can grow far beyond what many parents initially expect. The goal is to help them manage the challenges they face and build the skills they need to participate meaningfully in daily life, form relationships, and enjoy learning.
Ms. Lai-Kan Wong is a Certified Progressive Behavior Analyst (Autism Professional), a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, and holds a Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis. She embarked on her journey with Autism Partnership in 2001. Over the years, she has gained extensive experience working with children across different settings, including individual therapy sessions, small group training, and ABA classrooms. Ms. Wong is now responsible for overseeing Autism Partnership centers in Hong Kong, Beijing, and Shanghai, and she provides clinical support to consultants in different offices.
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