Asperger's Syndrome was officially recognised by the World Health Organisation in 1991.

Although precise diagnosis is difficult, most clinicians broadly define AS as 'autism without any additional learning disability'. AS is also referred to as HFA or Higher-Functioning Autism. At present, there is no cure for AS.

There is no established link between AS and violence. In fact, AS sufferers are far more likely to be strictly law-abiding than the average person.

How many people have AS? Estimates vary from 200,000 in the UK and findings suggest that many sufferers are never diagnosed. About 75% of AS sufferers are men.

Who was Asperger?
Hans Asperger, a Viennese physician, published a paper 1944 describing the pattern of behaviours now known as Asperger's Syndrome.

Asperger's or autism?
Current thinking about AS places it on a sliding scale between severe autism and so-called 'normal'. Some people exhibit minimal symptoms and others are borderline autistic. This is why the term 'higher-functioning autism' is used.

AS sufferers almost always go on to live relatively normal lives and make a productive contribution to society. Most AS sufferers have normal linguistic abilities whereas autistic people usually have severe language difficulties.

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