Asperger syndrome

An A to Z glossary of disabilities

Named after Austrian doctor, Hans Asperger – who first described the condition in 1944.

Asperger’s is a form of autism which affects how a person understands the world, communicates to others and processes information.

Asperger syndrome is a form of developmental disorders commonly known as ASD – autistic spectrum disorder. The condition differs from autism – children with the Asperger’s usually have an average level of language development and intelligence, although their communication skills can deteriorate as they become older.

It’s estimated 1 in 100 people in the UK have ASD.