Prosper Health's Autism Resource Center

Our understanding of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has grown significantly over the years, leading to important changes in how we diagnose and describe its various presentations. One of the most significant changes to the ASD diagnosis is the inclusion of Asperger’s syndrome as part of the autism spectrum.

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Asperger's syndrome was added to the DSM-IV in 1994 but was moved underneath the diagnostic umbrella of “Autism Spectrum Disorder” in the DSM-V in 2013. Though Asperger’s syndrome is considered to be part of the autism spectrum, it presents symptoms that are similar to ASD but may be less severe or pervasive. Asperger’s is typically marked by:

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• Impaired social interaction and nonverbal communication
• Restricted interests
• Repetitive behaviors
• Lack of awareness about how their actions may impact others

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The main difference between Asperger’s and autism is that people who were formerly diagnosed with Asperger’s may have less severe symptoms and no speech delay. In fact, those who have been diagnosed with Asperger’s may have advanced speech and language skills. 

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So, while Asperger’s used to be its own diagnosis, the current diagnostic standards for autism spectrum disorder include Asperger’s. Those who may have, in the past, been diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome are now likely to be diagnosed with level one autism or to be classified as having low support needs. 

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While it’s true that diagnostic standards have been updated due to the fact that Asperger’s and autism have a large overlap of symptoms, Asperger’s is no longer used also due in part to its controversial namesake. Asperger’s syndrome was first formally named by Hans Asperger after he conducted a comprehensive study on a group of children with autistic traits in 1944. Though Asperger was never an official member of the Nazi Party, he worked closely with them and cooperated with their policies, which targeted neurodivergent individuals. Asperger’s ties to nazi policies, and the harsh language he used to describe his patients is among the reasons that the term “Asperger’s” is no longer widely used.

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However, even though the term is largely outdated, many neurodivergent people were originally diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome and still resonate with it. Therefore, it’s important to approach the controversy surrounding the name with nuance.

When most people think of psychosis, they think of schizophrenia—not autism. However, psychosis can be associated with several different diagnoses. Although psychosis is not a symptom of autism, it’s more common for autistic individuals to experience psychosis at some point during their lives than it is for neurotypicals.

Psychosis often involves hallucinations and delusions, where an individual perceives things that are not there or believes things that are untrue, respectively.  These experiences can feel very real and quite frightening. However, many forms of support can help people thrive while reducing, managing or eliminating symptoms of psychosis.

Do you ever feel intense emotional pain when faced with the slightest bit of criticism? Or, does rejection send you into a spiral of shame and avoidance? For some people, these are signs of rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD).

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Rejection sensitive dysphoria is an intense emotional response to perceived rejection, criticism, or failing to meet expectations. In both autistic and allistic (non-autistic) people, it manifests as an acute sensitivity to rejection, often leading to feelings of deep emotional pain, anxiety or depression when an individual believes they’ve been dismissed or judged negatively. 

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For autistic individuals, RSD may manifest differently than typical rejection sensitivity. Emotion regulation challenges may mean that their emotional response to perceived rejection can be more intense and long-lasting, often leading to avoidance of social situations or heightened anxiety about relationships and social interactions. This can create a cycle where fear of rejection limits opportunities for connection and support. Differences in social communication, such as struggling to interpret nonverbal and other social cues, could also exacerbate RSD for autistic adults. 

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Read on to learn more about RSD, its psychological impacts and how to cope. 

Emotional and physical intimacy present unique challenges and opportunities for autistic adults. Autistic people experience romantic relationships differently, navigating complexities related to communication, sensory sensitivities and emotional expression. These issues are compounded if an autistic person’s partner doesn’t fully understand what autism spectrum disorder is or how to support their autistic partner.

However, by fostering an environment of empathy and patience, autistic individuals and their partners can build fulfilling, intimate connections that honor their unique needs and experiences.

Restorative sleep is essential for maintaining overall good health, influencing both mental and physical well-being. However, for many autistic adults, quality sleep feels out of reach.

Sleep challenges, such as trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, are some of the most common complaints among adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Some autistic people may sleep too much or too little, have irregular sleep patterns or struggle with other diagnosable sleep disorders.

Read on to learn about sleep challenges associated with autism spectrum disorder, factors contributing to sleep struggles and how to get better sleep.

For autistic adults, self-care plays a crucial role in managing the unique challenges of life on the spectrum. By prioritizing self-care, autistic individuals can improve their mental health, enhance daily functioning and build resilience against stress and sensory overload. 

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However, self-care isn't always straightforward for autistic adults. Sensory sensitivities, executive functioning difficulties and social expectations can make implementing and maintaining self-care routines more challenging. Overwhelm from day-to-day demands or a lack of accessible resources may also hinder efforts to practice self-care effectively.

Despite these barriers, self-care can become an empowering tool for autistic adults with thoughtful planning and individualized approaches. By addressing these challenges head-on and finding strategies that work, self-care can support emotional well-being, strengthen independence and lead to a more positive and sustainable quality of life.