Asperger's syndrome

British  

/ ˈæspɜːɡəz /

noun

1. a form of autism in which the person affected has limited but obsessive interests, and has difficulty relating to other people

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Asperger's syndrome Scientific  

/ ăs′pər-gərz /

1. A developmental disorder characterized by impairment in social interactions and repetitive behavior patterns. It is named after its identifier, Austrian psychiatrist Hans Asperger (1906–1980).

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Etymology

Origin of Asperger's syndrome

C20: after Hans Asperger (20th century), Austrian physician who first described it

Example Sentences

And while much is made of his self-diagnosed Asperger’s syndrome, it’s equally difficult to ignore the parade of contemporaries and associates judging Mr. Byrne to be selfish, attention-seeking and ruthless.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 9, 2025

But the definition was broadened, Professor Happé says, when in the 1990s Asperger's syndrome was added to diagnostic manuals.

From BBC • May 2, 2025

NBC News reports that Lawler’s attorneys pleaded for his life on the grounds that he “was diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder that most closely resembles Asperger’s syndrome, which impaired his social interactions and judgment.”

From Slate • Mar. 6, 2025

One of Woodward’s previous lawyers said his client has Asperger’s syndrome, a developmental disorder that generally causes difficulty with social interactions, and struggled with his own sexuality.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 8, 2024

As she got ready for her only child to leave home, Debbie thought about the psychologist who had first diagnosed Sasha with Asperger’s syndrome.

From "The 57 Bus" by Dashka Slater