Asperger's syndrome

• Asperger syndrome

Named after Austrian pediatrician Hans Asperger (1906–1980).

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈæspɜːɡəz ˈsɪndɹəʊm/^[2], /ˈæspɜːdʒəz ˈsɪndɹəʊm/

• Audio (UK):

  (file)

• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈæspɝɡɚz ˈsɪndɹoʊm/^[3]

Asperger's syndrome (uncountable)

1. (dated, uncountable, neurology) An autism-related developmental disorder characterised by sustained impairment in social interaction and nonverbal communication and by repetitive behaviour as well as restricted interests and routines.

   Synonyms: AS, Asperger's, (obsolete) autistic psychopathy

   Hypernyms: pervasive developmental disorder, autism spectrum disorder

   Coordinate term: Kanner's syndrome

• From ICD-11 and DSM-5 on, Asperger's syndrome has been merged with other disorders into autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and deemed a relatively mild manifestation of it.
• The term has become controversial, particularly because of Hans Asperger's activities during the Second World War (although his attitude towards Nazism is disputed).

• autism
• learning disability
• PDD
• pervasive developmental disorder