Asperger’s Syndrome Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms of Asperger’s Syndrome

Because Asperger’s syndrome is now diagnosed as ASD, it shares the developmental condition’s core symptoms. But every person with ASD has unique symptoms and experiences.

“Autism, including what was once called Asperger’s syndrome, is a spectrum, meaning no two people have the same exact experience,” says Andy Shih, PhD, New York-based chief science officer of the nonprofit Autism Speaks.

People who would have once been diagnosed with Asperger’s typically don’t have delays in language or intellectual development, however. On average, diagnosis may come later in childhood than is typical for ASD, although symptoms may start between ages 1 and 3.

Symptoms may seem to improve with age. This may be because of early interventions that help with recognizing and shifting behaviors, thinking, and social skills.

It also may come from gaining the ability to “mask” (or conceal) common symptoms, which may lead to a delay in diagnosis for some people.

Asperger’s syndrome historically has been linked with symptoms related to social interactions, speech and language, cognitive and behavioral traits, and physical and sensory experiences.

Social Symptoms

Symptoms of Asperger’s that may show up in social situations include:

Challenges with building friendships and other relationships
Trouble adjusting actions to different social settings and situations, which may lead to inappropriate behavior
Difficulty understanding humor, sarcasm, and metaphors
Not being able to hold a back-and-forth conversation
Lack of spontaneous sharing of things they find enjoyable or interesting
Less interest in imaginative play than peers
Limited or no eye contact with others
No or limited interest in social interactions
Tendency to engage in self-centered or one-sided interactions
Trouble using nonverbal communication, such as facial expressions and body language, and difficulty recognizing social cues

Language and Speech Symptoms

Language delay hasn’t been a typical symptom for people with Asperger’s, although language is usually absent or develops gradually in ASD.

Language-related symptoms linked with Asperger’s syndrome may include:

Flat, unemotional tone of voice
Long-winded or dense monologues
Speech that may be loud, high-pitched, or choppy
Repetitive speech
Rote or scripted speech patterns

Cognitive and Behavioral Symptoms

Cognitive traits of Asperger’s syndrome include:

Challenges with practicing empathy and adopting other perspectives
Trouble managing emotions, which may lead to outbursts, violence, or self-injury
Highly specific interests and intense focus on those interests
Inflexibility and resistance to changing routines
Literal, concrete, or rigid thinking
Sex-related obsessions, compulsions, or fears, due to interrupted sexual development
Tendency to focus on parts of things rather than the whole
Trouble focusing or issues with attention span
Visual thinking and recognition of patterns

“Another challenge is difficulty breaking out of a routine or habit and not knowing how to handle change,” says Eric Williams, MD, clinical associate professor of neuropsychiatry and behavioral science at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Columbia.

Symptoms may show up in behavior, as well. These include restricted or repetitive movements, such as flapping hands or walking on tiptoes, and restricted or repetitive use of objects.

Motor Skills and Sensory Symptoms

Asperger’s syndrome may involve issues with motor skills, such as:

Awkward or clumsy movements
Delayed motor milestones in childhood
Trouble with handwriting
Uncoordinated gait and posture

More than 90 percent of people with Asperger’s have a sensitivity to certain stimuli, such as foods, smells, tastes, and temperature. This may cause severe anxiety and can lead to behaviors such as avoiding crowded environments or eating only certain foods.

Other Conditions With Similar Symptoms

ASD symptoms may resemble those of other health conditions or vice versa.

For example, Asperger’s symptoms such as challenges with social interaction, a lack of interest, and a lack of expressions and gestures are also symptoms of schizophrenia.

”ADHD can affect self-regulation, executive functioning, and social interactions — all common signs of autism — which can make getting a diagnosis for people with ADHD and autism more complex,” Dr. Shih says.

Other conditions with symptoms similar to those of Asperger’s syndrome include:

Overlapping symptoms can sometimes make ASD hard for doctors to diagnose, especially considering how similar conditions can happen along with autism.

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Symptoms of Asperger’s Syndrome

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