Asperger’s Syndrome Signs and Symptoms
Neurological DisordersAutism Spectrum Disorders

Asperger’s Syndrome Symptoms

Asperger’s Syndrome Symptoms
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Updated on December 9, 2025
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Asperger’s syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder that falls under the broader diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It used to be a stand-alone diagnosis.

Asperger’s syndrome has no single, concrete cause. People with this condition have a wide variety of symptoms that affect multiple areas of life, from social interactions and behaviors to coexisting conditions.

You can help manage your symptoms and get support by seeing a doctor for an official diagnosis and care plan.

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.

Symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) such as interpersonal challenges and reduced attention levels also overlap with those of ASD.

”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.

Types of Asperger’s Syndrome

Recognized as part of an ASD diagnosis, Asperger’s syndrome itself does not have different types. Instead, it is part of a spectrum, meaning that it may present in different ways in different people.

ASD is rated in levels of severity and assistance necessary, with a level 1 ASD requiring the least support and level 3 requiring substantial support.

 Some people diagnosed at a specific ASD level may need more support than others at the same level, though.

What was once diagnosed as Asperger’s syndrome often falls into level 1, in terms of necessary support.

 This is sometimes called “mild” or “high-functioning” autism.

Some people previously diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome may still use the term to describe themselves, viewing it as an important part of their identity.

Potential Complications of Asperger’s Syndrome

“Individuals with autism are at higher risk of co-occurring mental health conditions like depression and anxiety,” Shih says. “This is often related to social stress, burnout, sensory overload, or feeling misunderstood or excluded.”

These conditions may be tied to coping with change, from starting a new relationship or career to a change in routine.

More than 70 percent of people with ASD have other health conditions. In addition to anxiety disorders and depression, which are the most common, these can include:

  • ADHD
  • Intellectual disabilities
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

  • Schizophrenia

  • Epilepsy
Other conditions, such as Tourette’s syndrome and tardive dyskinesia, share similar symptoms to ASD but may be entirely separate.

When to See a Doctor

“If an infant or young child shows symptoms of autism spectrum disorder, such as poor eye contact, delayed language skills, or poor responsiveness to caregivers and others, parents should alert their doctor,” Dr. Williams says. “Children may also show signs of repetitive behavior, difficulty with social interactions, or repetitive, fixed routines or interests. In general, delays in development warrant a conversation with a healthcare professional.”

It’s especially important to reach out to a doctor if you or your child has feelings of anxiety and depression alongside these symptoms.

There is no single test to diagnose autism, however, and no two people with autism will have the same exact symptoms. Your doctor may refer your case to a specialist to gather more information.

It’s important to note that even though some symptoms tied to Asperger’s may affect quality of life and relationships, others — such as above-average intelligence, attention to detail, and strong memory and problem-solving skills — are considered strengths.

Treatment Options

Upon reaching a diagnosis, a mental health professional can develop an appropriate treatment plan. Early and consistent treatment can help with recognizing and learning to manage symptoms.

Treatment may include applied behavioral analysis, which uses positive reinforcement to build desired behaviors and to reduce harmful or disruptive ones.

 It also may involve occupational, physical, speech, and family therapy.

A doctor may prescribe medication to address some symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, or lack of focus. But there is no specific medication for treating ASD itself, and there is no “cure.”

“A diagnosis can be meaningful as a way of understanding oneself,” says Matt Lundquist, LCSW, founder and clinical director of Tribeca Therapy in New York City. “Individuals who receive a diagnosis as adults often believe they are understood for the first time. And a diagnosis can mean entry into a world of social supports — online and in person — (and can) help guide them in the kind of mental health provider to seek help from.”

The Takeaway

  • Asperger’s syndrome is not a stand-alone condition and is categorized under autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with symptoms varying from person to person.
  • Symptoms range from those covering social interactions and speech to differences in cognitive traits and motor skills.
  • Although there is no cure for ASD or the condition once known as Asperger’s syndrome, early diagnosis and intervention with treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy, social-skills training, and occupational therapy can improve quality of life.
  • See a healthcare professional for an official diagnosis, as symptoms can overlap with other conditions and exist alongside them.

Resources We Trust

EDITORIAL SOURCES
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Resources
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