Did you know 18 February is International Asperger’s Day? To celebrate we thought we’d help bust some of the myths about Asperger’s that have persisted for years. Firstly, what is it? Asperger’s syndrome was the name for a neurodevelopmental condition (now clinically recognised under Autism Spectrum Disorder, or ASD) which affects how people interact with and perceive the world around them.

Asperger’s affects the way individuals interact with other people in social, work and other settings. It’s often considered one of the many invisible disabilities. And like other invisible disabilities, it’s often misunderstood by society.

Many people also view autism through the lens of neurodiversity – recognising it as a natural variation in how brains develop and process the world.

How the definition of Asperger’s syndrome has changed

Since 2013, people who used to be described as having Asperger’s syndrome are now described as being on the autism spectrum.

Before this, it was often referred to as a type of “high functioning” or “mild” autism – terms that are now widely considered outdated because they can oversimplify very different support needs.

Today, Asperger’s is technically not a diagnosis on its own. And research reveals it’s not always mild or high functioning – it depends on the individual.

Although there’s no longer a clinically separate diagnosis for Asperger’s, the term is still commonly used. Many people diagnosed before 2013 still refer to their condition as Asperger’s syndrome, rather than autism.

Others prefer identity-first language like “autistic person,” while some prefer “person on the autism spectrum.” Language preferences can vary from person to person.

Dispelling myths and misconceptions for International Asperger’s Day

To mark International Asperger’s Day on 18 February, we wanted to dispel five common myths and misconceptions about Asperger’s syndrome.

1. People with Asperger’s syndrome are all geniuses or have exceptional talents.

There is truth to the idea that many on the autism spectrum are highly intelligent. There is also truth in that some people with Asperger’s/autism display high IQ or particular talents – often creative, like in music or mathematics.

However, this is still one of those very common myths and misconceptions about Asperger’s. 

When Asperger’s was considered a separate diagnosis to autism, there could be no significant cognitive or early language delays.

This means that by definition people diagnosed with Asperger’s would have had at least average intellectual ability and expressive/receptive speech development.

However, research suggests that while some autistic people demonstrate exceptional abilities or so-called “savant” skills, these represent a small proportion of the overall autistic population.

So, like the rest of the population, people with Asperger’s display a wide range of intellectual abilities, strengths and support needs.

2. People with Asperger’s are rude.

Many people assume that people with Asperger’s, but especially children, are rude and difficult. They may even go as far as to say individuals with Asperger’s don’t have emotions and can’t express love.

This is not the case.

One truth is that individuals with Asperger’s / autism often have social anxiety. This can make them quiet or abrupt. Another truth is that they often express their feelings in unconventional ways, which neurotypical individuals might consider rude. This is not the intention.

The key is understanding the ways in which an individual with the disorder communicates.

On top of this, many people with Asperger’s syndrome / autism learn to “mask” or “camouflage”- especially if they’re female. This means they can present themselves as neurotypical or “hide” some/all symptoms by copying how other interact. They can be adept at modelling behaviours which society expects.

This might mean making eye contact regularly, learning how a friend or relative expects to be greeted (e.g. with a hug), or that reacting to bad news with “I’m so sorry” is expected.

Masking can help people to blend in socially but can have long term emotional and/or mental health consequences too.

3. People with Asperger’s can’t show sympathy or care.

This is one of the most harmful myths about Asperger’s syndrome and autism more broadly.

Autistic people may process social and emotional information differently. Earlier research described this as differences in “theory of mind.”

More recent research suggests that misunderstandings can occur in both directions – sometimes referred to as the “double empathy” problem – where autistic and non-autistic people simply interpret social cues differently.

Autistic people are not lacking in empathy. They are not unable to care about others. They may miss subtle cues like body language or tone of voice, particularly if those cues are indirect.

When emotions are communicated clearly and directly, autistic individuals are often fully capable of understanding and expressing compassion.

Some research even suggests that emotional responses can be experienced very intensely.

4. You can grow out of Asperger’s syndrome.

In the past, some people believed children would grow out of Asperger’s. This is not supported by evidence.

Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition. Children diagnosed with Asperger’s/autism grow into autistic adults. Support needs may change over time, but the underlying neurotype does not disappear.

Is this you? The NDIS may be able to provide beneficial support that helps you navigate daily life more easily.

If you or someone you know could benefit from this, check out our article on how to access the NDIS.

5. Bad parenting causes Asperger’s syndrome.

Because Autism Spectrum Disorder is often brushed off as someone just being antisocial, some people attribute it to bad parenting. This can include the parents themselves, who may feel they’ve failed their child somehow.

Not the case. On the flipside, great parenting can help a child navigate their disorder more successfully. So too can occupational therapy, language therapy, cognitive behaviour therapy, social skills training and more.

If you’re a concerned parent, please know this: there is no link between your child’s Asperger’s/autism and the way you parent.

It is a developmental disorder which no amount of bad parenting can cause. And no amount of amazing parenting can prevent it, either.

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Myths about Asperger’s syndrome – over to you

Are there any common misunderstandings or assumptions about Asperger’s/autism that you’d like to dispel? Let us know on our Blue Badge Insurance Facebook page.

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