By Rose Lauren Hughes, Bened Life Neurodiversity and Disability Specialist.**

Once upon a time (okay, in the 1940s), Hans Asperger coined the term "Asperger's Syndrome" to describe a specific presentation of autism. Fast forward to the 80s and 90s and it became a household term, often used to describe people who were considered "mildly Autistic"—whatever that means (spoiler alert: autism doesn't come in mild, medium, or spicy).

For years, if you were socially awkward but, say, a math genius or a quirky tech wizard, people would lovingly—or not-so-lovingly—slap the Asperger's label on you. It became shorthand for "Autistic, but not too Autistic." Which, by the way, is a pretty condescending way to frame anyone's neurodivergence.

So, why did the term “Aspergers” get the boot?

In 2013, the American Psychiatric Association decided to pack up Asperger's Syndrome and toss it out of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Instead, everything now falls under the broader umbrella of "Autism Spectrum Disorder" (ASD).

Why? Because the lines between "Asperger's" and other forms of autism were blurry at best and arbitrary at worst. Turns out, autism isn’t a neat little box you can cram people into (shocking, I know). People with the Asperger’s label weren’t less Autistic, they just presented differently. Autism is diverse and individual—more like a galaxy of experiences rather than a simple spectrum line.

And, let’s not ignore the elephant in the room: Hans Asperger himself has a rather unsavory historical connection to the Nazi regime. Yikes. Not exactly the legacy anyone wants tied to their identity.

Who was Hans Asperger (and what’s the controversy about him)?

Hans Asperger was an Austrian pediatrician who, during the 1940s, documented a group of children who displayed patterns of social difficulties, intense interests, and a distinctive style of communication. His research laid the foundation for what later became known as "Asperger’s Syndrome."

For a long time, Asperger was viewed as a benevolent figure who advocated for the children he studied. But in recent years, new research has uncovered a darker truth—Asperger was connected to the Nazi regime and reportedly collaborated in the identification of children deemed "unfit" under the eugenics program.

While the full scope of his involvement is still debated, the association with such a horrific chapter in history adds a heavy, uncomfortable layer to the term bearing his name.

Some people weren't thrilled about the change

Unsurprisingly, some folks were resistant to the shift. For many, the Asperger's label was a key part of their identity. We grew used to terms like ‘aspie’ or ‘aspergersCrew’ etc. It felt specific and, to some, less stigmatized than "Autistic." The fear? That without the Asperger’s label, people would lose access to support or have their unique needs overlooked.

I can say that when I called myself Autistic, I began to notice people underestimated me more than when they thought of me as ‘just’ Aspergers. So I can fully understand the resistance and stigma.

But the flip side? That same label fueled harmful stereotypes. It implied a hierarchy within autism where some people were deemed "high-functioning" (another term that needs to take a long walk off a short pier) while others were seen as, well… not. 

In reality, functioning isn’t a fixed state. A person might be nailing a work presentation in the morning and completely unraveling in the cereal aisle by noon 🙃.

Why I'm glad it's gone

Personally, I never vibed with the Asperger's label. It felt like people were trying to water down my autism or shove it into a socially acceptable box. And don’t get me started on the people who say, "Aren't you just Asperger's, though?" as if they’re trying to reassure themselves that I’m not too different. That narrow lens always grated on me.

The shift to understanding autism as a broad, varied experience feels way more honest and human. I’m not "mild" or "severe" or whatever arbitrary label fits the mood of the day. I’m just Autistic—in my own unique way, with my own unique needs. Well, actually I am AuDHD. More on that below though!

The autism spectrum (and why it's more like a colour wheel)

A lot of people imagine autism as a straight line: "high-functioning" on one end and "low-functioning" on the other. But that’s outdated and wildly inaccurate. A better metaphor? A colour wheel.

Think of autism as a circle with different traits—sensory sensitivity, communication style, social interaction, executive functioning, and more—each sitting on its own axis. Every Autistic person’s wheel looks a little different. Some may have intense sensory needs but excel socially. Others may struggle with verbal communication but thrive in structured environments. No two wheels are the same, and one person isn’t "more" or "less" Autistic than another. We’re just... different.

What’s AuDHD?

Speaking of labels, there’s a new term making waves: AuDHD—short for autism + ADHD. It describes people who are both Autistic and have Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. (Yes, you can have both! Brains are fun and complicated like that.)

AuDHD folks often experience a unique blend of traits—like the hyperfocus of ADHD with the sensory sensitivity of autism. It can be a fascinating, if occasionally exhausting, mix. The rise of this term reflects a growing understanding that neurodivergent conditions don’t exist in isolation. Many of us have overlapping identities that shape how we experience the world.

The bigger picture

Getting rid of the Asperger’s label opens up space for a more nuanced, personal understanding of autism. It encourages us to move past outdated binaries and see Autistic people as individuals with diverse experiences. Whether someone needs a lot of support or just a little, which can vary and change throughout the day, they deserve to have their reality acknowledged without getting boxed into misleading categories.

So yeah, I’m glad we ditched the term. It’s a small but meaningful step toward treating Autistic people like the full, complex humans we are. And that? That feels pretty good.

About the author:

Rose Hughes is 31 years young, and an AuDHD female living in Belgium. You can find her on social media at @rose.llauren.

**Opinions expressed in this article are those of the author

Recommended reading:

Late Diagnosis of Autism: Is an Official Diagnosis Worth It?

From Masked to Unmasked

Celebrating Special Interests in Autism