There has been a trend for people to refer to Asperger’s Syndrome as “high-functioning Autism.” In fact, the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) has actually included Asperger’s as part of the broader Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis. This designation of Asperger’s as part of the Autism Spectrum is not based upon the more current scientific studies or research evidence. Based on the research and treatment conducted at the original Pfeiffer Treatment Center, the Walsh Research Institute, Mensah Medical and the Mensah Research Institute, and Winford Dore’s Zing Performance Laboratories, as well as Edge Hill University in England, the evidence is clear that while they may share certain similarities, these are two very distinct conditions. Untreated Autism is a neurodegenerative disorder, whereas the intellectual capacity of an Asperger’s Syndrome patient continues to thrive if untreated. This distinction helps to direct therapeutic modalities to improve each condition.
Symptoms differ. Social functionality differs. Causes differ. Most importantly, effective treatments differ. Unfortunately, because Asperger’s is considered part of the Autism Spectrum, patients are most often offered traditional Autism treatments that really do not apply and do not correct the condition. Today I want to talk about the differences between these two conditions, in the hope that this might provide more appropriate guidance for treatment.
Different Disorders
Alright, let’s start with some of the main differences here. First of all, individuals with Asperger’s are most noted for their inability to pick up on social cues. They tend to see everything in terms of black or white, with very little room for “gray”. Thus, they have a difficult time understanding and successfully navigating emotional sensitivities.
Interestingly, the Autistic individual, on the other hand, tends to be very sensitive to emotionality and cues from the outside world. I know this may sound strange as we think about Autism sufferers we may know, but it is not at all uncommon to see the normally reclusive Autistic child who may unexpectedly approach somebody who seems very sad, hug them, and then run away.
Global processing challenges make communicating thoughts and ideas difficult for ASD patients, assuming they have verbal capacity. This is not the case with Asperger’s Syndrome. The Autistic individual is sort of stuck in their own world. It’s almost like they are in a bubble. One of the young people we treated and who actually fully recovered from Autism shared with us that being Autistic was kind of like being in a glass cage where nobody could hear him screaming, “I’m here! I’m here! I’m here!” This is not so with Asperger’s. While their communication might be awkward and sometimes inappropriate because of their difficulty recognizing social and emotional cues, Asperger’s patients are still capable of direct communication.
For those with Asperger’s, rarely do we need to be worried about their intellectual capacity. They usually have that fully well intact. In fact, because they are also prone to very focused and analytical thinking, they may become our bosses. Their inability to recognize social and emotional cues means they are not going to make great managers, but many achieve leadership roles because their intellectual capacity leads to significant individual success. Good managers or not, those with Asperger’s are typically quite employable. Many individuals who are truly on the Autism Spectrum have auditory processing issues, visual processing challenges, and speech and language dysfunction. Some ASD sufferers may not be verbal at all. This brings into question the lifelong survivability of the true ASD patient. Many parents and family members worry day and night over the future ability of their loved ones to live in this world. For many parents, it would be a dream come true that their Autistic child might become someone else’s boss someday. This is not typically a concern of parents with Asperger’s children.
Causes of Autism (and NOT Asperger’s)
Many challenges in our physiologic and biochemical systems play a causative or contributing role in Autism, but not in Asperger’s patients. For example, we often see several gastrointestinal manifestations in our ASD patients. There can be malabsorption. There can be hypoglycemia, yeast toxicity, and food sensitivities. We often see dysbiosis (an imbalance between good and bad bacteria), and/or inflammatory bowel issues. Many of you reading this have likely heard about leaky gut challenges that allow toxins to get into the bloodstream, and make their way to the brain.
Brain chemistry impacts brain function significantly and more intensely in ASD patients. Elevated copper issues, low zinc issues, and many methylation issues are often quite prevalent. Oftentimes Autistic individuals struggle with under-methylation, but in all fairness, under-methylation is also regularly present in Asperger syndrome patients. Their manifestations, however, are very different.
Perhaps one of the most significant biochemical factors in ASD patients is severe oxidative stress and inflammation. The presence of these agents makes cellular activity and cellular function rather challenging. Inflammation in the brain is like a low, simmering fire. As the brain “cooks,” it becomes less pliable, less functional, less easy to work with, and thus more prone to the development of symptoms associated with ASD.
Different Treatments Needed
Ever since Asperger’s was “put in the same box” as ASD, many practitioners have resorted to using similar treatments for both disorders. But if Asperger’s is NOT Autism, how can we expect Asperger’s patients to respond to Autism treatment protocols? Stated simply, we can’t. Asperger’s is a neurological condition. Here we find a part of the brain known as the Cerebellum that is incomplete in neurocircuitry. In other words, it’s not wired properly for optimal function. We also see difficulties in the area of the brain known as the Amygdala which is responsible for emotional memory and acquisition. Using cerebellar stimulation is key to improvement. Treating Autism involves addressing the medical factors mentioned above – the intestinal and biochemical concerns. In treating both Asperger’s and Autism, results can range anywhere from improvement to absolute recovery. But the best news here is that there is an effective treatment for both conditions. This is why the distinction between these two disorders is so important. We have to get the right diagnosis, and the right treatment protocols, to get the right results.
The main point of today’s discussion is that these two disorders really don’t belong in the same category. Autism Spectrum Disorder contains everything from developmental delay, delayed sensory processing issues, auditory challenges, and speech and language challenges. All of these are part of that Spectrum. A condition like Asperger’s, in which these other ASD challenges are typically not present, really deserves a separate diagnosis unto itself.
