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.
Social Symptoms
- 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
- 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
- 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.
Motor Skills and Sensory Symptoms
- Awkward or clumsy movements
- Delayed motor milestones in childhood
- Trouble with handwriting
- Uncoordinated gait and posture
Other Conditions With Similar Symptoms
ASD symptoms may resemble those of other health conditions or vice versa.
”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.
Overlapping symptoms can sometimes make ASD hard for doctors to diagnose, especially considering how similar conditions can happen along with autism.