Autistic disorder, or autism, and asperger's disorder are pervasive developmental disorders that are diagnosed in the first few years of life and last throughout a patient's lifetime. Impairments in behavior, cognition and social interaction are characteristic of both disorders. These similarities can be problematic when it comes to making an accurate diagnosis. However, there are qualitative differences that help differentiate the two disorders.
Age of Onset
Children with asperger's do not demonstrate significant delays in cognitive development. During the first three years of life, they express an interest and curiosity about their surroundings. Autistic children are disinterested in interacting with others or engaging in play. This disinterest is able to be identified during the first three years of life, whereas symptoms of asperger's become prominent after age three. Therefore, autism can be diagnosed earlier than asperger's.
Social Interaction
Children with autism and asperger's fail to develop appropriate relationships with others. Their disinterest for others manifests itself in different ways. Children with asperger's may communicate their thoughts with others by having a one-sided conversation during which they ignore the responses of others. Autistic children, on the other hand, are indifferent to social interaction altogether.
Communication Skills
Individuals with autism experience delays in language development, whereas those with asperger's do not. However, children with autism have severe problems with communication, specifically initiating and maintaining conversations. They tend to use repetitive language and lack nonverbal communication skills. Autism-help.org estimates that a third to a half of individuals with autism never develop speech that is sufficient for daily communication. Individuals with asperger's are able to communicate both verbally and non-verbally with others, but often in an awkward manner.
Mental Retardation
According to National Autism Center, a diagnosis of mental retardation, which is characterized by deficits in intelligence and self-care skills, typically co-exists with a diagnosis of autism. In general, the level of mental retardation is moderate, but it can range from mild to profound. Asperger's, on the other hand, is not associated with mental retardation. Individuals with asperger's have age-appropriate verbal skills and usually have average to above average intelligence.
Prognosis
Individuals with asperger's disorder have a better prognosis than those with autistic disorder. The "DSM-IV-TR" states that only a small percentage of adults with autism are capable of self-sufficiency. This is due to their deficits in communication, intelligence and adaptive skills. However, many individuals with asperger's are much more capable of living and working independently, and require little to no assistance to function in society.
