In 1994, the DSM-IV introduced a new diagnosis under the umbrella of Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDDs): Asperger syndrome.
In the general public it’s commonly called Asperger’s syndrome or just Asperger’s.
Had I gotten my autism assessment between this period and 2013, the diagnosis would’ve been Asperger syndrome.
The change in 1994 was a landmark moment in the history of autism diagnosis.
That’s because it officially recognized a group of individuals who exhibited core traits of autism but with no significant language difficulty or the apparent intellectual deficit (APA, 1994).
This inclusion was largely inspired by Dr. Hans Asperger’s 1944 work, which had been translated into English in 1980 — a translation that certainly should’ve occurred decades earlier.
The diagnosis helped clinicians better understand “high-functioning” autism, and it acknowledged that autism could present in subtle but impactful ways.
In other words, just because an autistic individual doesn’t openly stim dramatically in public, and just because they know how to do small talk and have a job in sales, doesn’t mean that their autism hasn’t impacted them in a significant way throughout life.
Distinguishing Features of Asperger Syndrome
According to the DSM-IV, Asperger syndrome was characterized by:
- Impairments in social interaction
- Normal cognitive development
- No significant delay in language acquisition
- Restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior (stimming, e.g., rocking, swaying, tapping, hand or foot flapping, spinning, humming, teeth clicking, hair sniffing, finger rubbing, skin pulling, “fiddling” with any number of objects including “fidget toys”)
People with Asperger syndrome frequently had strong verbal skills and average to above-average intelligence.
“Little professor” would’ve been a good way to describe them during childhood.
- There’s a joke: “What two words do you NEVER want to say to someone with Asperger’s?”
- Answer: “Prove it.”
A common trait in those with this form of autism is that of “info-dumping.”
Ask an Aspie about their favorite topic, and be prepared for a mini-dissertation rich with details and enthusiasm.
I myself have info-dumped a number of times on why it’s freaking WRONG to hold onto a treadmill. Don’t get me started…
Those with the diagnosis of Asperger’s struggled with reading social cues (e.g., what someone’s facial expression means, when it’s their turn to talk when in a group socializing), forming peer relationships, keeping the friendships that were actually made and adapting to change.
This broadened view of autism helped shift public understanding, allowing for recognition of people who previously fell outside the diagnostic criteria but still required support or, at least, understanding and less judgement.
Just because someone with this high-functioning form of autism was self-sufficient right out of high school didn’t mean they didn’t need a little extra patience, understanding and even accommodations on the job.
The Cultural Rise of Asperger’s
The diagnosis of Asperger syndrome quickly entered popular awareness.
Many adults who had long struggled with social interaction and communication found clarity and validation in the label. They finally found their “tribe.”
Public figures and fictional characters were increasingly described as having traits consistent with Asperger’s (“coded” TV characters), helping to normalize the idea of autism as a spectrum.
Some prominent self-advocates began to embrace the identity, and the term “Aspie” emerged in online and support communities.
This fueled the early neurodiversity movement, which argues that autism is a natural variation in human wiring, not a defect to be cured.
- Autism is not a processing error.
- Autism is a different operating system.
Criticism and Overlap
While the recognition of Asperger syndrome was seen as progress, it also caused confusion.
The distinction between Asperger’s and “high-functioning autism” was poorly defined, leading to inconsistency in diagnoses.
Over time, studies showed significant overlap between Asperger’s and other autism spectrum conditions (Matson & Wilkins, 2008).
This diagnostic ambiguity would eventually prompt a major change in how autism was defined in the next edition of the DSM.
Next: Part 7 in this 10-part series: DSM-5 Redefines Autism as a Unified Spectrum
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical and fitness topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer. In 2022 she received a diagnosis of Level 1 Autism Spectrum Disorder.
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