History of Asperger syndrome

Asperger syndrome (pronounced /ˈæspərɡər/), also known as Asperger's, is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by significant difficulties in social interaction and nonverbal communication, along with restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior and interests. The term "Asperger syndrome" is named after the Austrian pediatrician Hans Asperger, who, in 1944, described children in his practice who lacked nonverbal communication skills, demonstrated limited empathy with their peers, and were physically clumsy.

Etymology

The term "Asperger syndrome" is derived from the name of Austrian pediatrician Hans Asperger. The term was first used by British psychiatrist Lorna Wing in her 1981 paper, "Asperger's syndrome: a clinical account", that challenged the previously accepted model of autism presented by Leo Kanner in 1943.

Early History

In 1944, Hans Asperger, working at the University Children's Hospital in Vienna, first described the condition that would later bear his name. He referred to the children with this condition as "little professors" due to their ability to talk about their favorite subject in great detail.

Recognition and Classification

Asperger syndrome was recognized in the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) in 1994. It was classified as a separate disorder from autism, although there were ongoing debates about whether that was accurate.

In 2013, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) removed Asperger syndrome as a separate diagnosis and included it under the umbrella of autism spectrum disorders.

Related Terms

Autism spectrum: A range of conditions classified as neurodevelopmental disorders. Asperger syndrome is included in this spectrum.
Neurodevelopmental disorder: A disorder that affects the development of the nervous system, leading to abnormal brain function which may affect emotion, learning ability, self-control, and memory.
DSM-5: The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, is the 2013 update to the American Psychiatric Association's classification and diagnostic tool.

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on History of Asperger syndrome
Wikipedia's article - History of Asperger syndrome

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History of Asperger syndrome