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

By 1994, the DSM-4 expanded the definition to more social and behavioral traits including repetitive behaviors or intense interests and created categories including Asperger’s syndrome, for milder cases.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 14, 2025

The eightfold increase in new diagnoses that Ginny Russell found included Asperger's syndrome, which was seen as a particular type of autism.

From BBC • May 2, 2025

At church, she met someone who was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, a condition that today would be considered autism spectrum disorder.

From Slate • Sep. 29, 2024

Woodward’s prior attorney said his client had Asperger’s syndrome and was torn about his sexuality.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2024

All shared a distinction: They had proven far less capable of grasping basic truths in the heart of the U.S. financial system than a one-eyed money manager with Asperger’s syndrome.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis