The exact cause of autism, including what was formerly known as Asperger syndrome, is not well understood.[5] While it has high heritability, the underlying genetics have not been determined conclusively.[19][20] Environmental factors are also believed to play a role.[5]Brain imaging has not identified a common underlying condition.[19] There is no single treatment, and the UK's National Health Service (NHS) guidelines suggest that "treatment" of any form of autism should not be a goal, since autism is not "a disease that can be removed or cured".[21] According to the Royal College of Psychiatrists,[22] while co-occurring conditions might require treatment, "management of autism itself is chiefly about the provision of the education, training, and social support/care required to improve the person's ability to function in the everyday world". The effectiveness of particular interventions for autism is supported by only limited data.[19] Interventions may include social skills training, cognitive behavioral therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, parent training, and medications for associated problems, such as mood or anxiety.[8] Autistic characteristics tend to become less obvious in adulthood,[22] but social and communication difficulties usually persist.[23]
In 2015, Asperger syndrome was estimated to affect 37.2 million people globally, or about 0.5% of the population.[9] The exact percentage of people affected has still not been firmly established.[19] Autism spectrum disorder is diagnosed in males more often than females,[24] and females are typically diagnosed at a later age.[25][26] The modern conception of Asperger syndrome came into existence in 1981 and went through a period of popularization.[27][28][29] It became a standardized diagnosis in the 1990s[30] and was merged into ASD in 2013.[12] Many questions and controversies about the condition remain.[23]
^ abcNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) (31 July 2007). "Asperger syndrome fact sheet". Archived from the original on 21 August 2007. Retrieved 24 August 2007. NIH Publication No. 05-5624.
^"6A02 Autism spectrum disorder". International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision (ICD-11). World Health Organization. February 2022 [adopted in 2019]. 6A02. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
^ ab"Asperger syndrome". Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD) – an NCATS Program. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
^ abcdMcPartland J, Klin A (October 2006). "Asperger's syndrome". Adolescent Medicine Clinics. 17 (3): 771–88, abstract xiii. doi:10.1016/j.admecli.2006.06.010 (inactive 1 November 2024). PMID17030291.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of November 2024 (link)
^Lai MC, Baron-Cohen S (November 2015). "Identifying the lost generation of adults with autism spectrum conditions". The Lancet. Psychiatry. 2 (11): 1013–27. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(15)00277-1. PMID26544750.
^Klin A, Pauls D, Schultz R, Volkmar F (April 2005). "Three diagnostic approaches to Asperger syndrome: implications for research". Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 35 (2): 221–34. doi:10.1007/s10803-004-2001-y. PMID15909408. S2CID19076633.
^Woodbury-Smith M, Klin A, Volkmar F (April 2005). "Asperger's syndrome: a comparison of clinical diagnoses and those made according to the ICD-10 and DSM-IV". Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 35 (2): 235–40. doi:10.1007/s10803-004-2002-x. PMID15909409. S2CID12417580.