Asperger syndrome
Asperger syndrome
What is Asperger syndrome?
Asperger syndrome is also called Asperger's.
Asperger syndrome used to be the name for people who had
autism
Autism is a disability. Autistic people find it difficult to understand what other people think and feel. They also find it difficult to tell people what they think and feel. Everyone with autism is different.
but not a
learning disability
A learning disability is to do with the way someone's brain works. It makes it harder for someone to learn, understand or do things.
.
Doctors do not use the words Asperger syndrome or Asperger's now.
They say that someone has autism or an autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
We have easy read information about autism.
Some people might choose to say they have Asperger syndrome or Asperger's if this is what people told them in the past.
Why do doctors not use the words Asperger syndrome now?
Asperger syndrome was named after a man called Hans Asperger.
Hans Asperger was linked to the Nazis so a lot of people do not want to use his name.
The Nazis did not like some groups of people and treated them badly.
First published 17/09/2024
Last updated 17/09/2024