Autism Spectrum Disorder in ICD-11: Diagnostic, Therapeutic and Identity - Related Implications of the Discontinuation of Asperger's Syndrome as a Separate Diagnosis
The reclassification of Asperger’s syndrome within DSM-5 (2013) and ICD-11 (2019) marked a pivotal moment in the diagnostic landscape of neurodevelopmental disorders. After three decades of being recognized as a distinct clinical entity, Asperger’s syndrome was merged into the broader autism spectr...
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Kazimierz Wielki University
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Journal of Education, Health and Sport |
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| Online Access: | https://apcz.umk.pl/JEHS/article/view/60689 |
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| author | Dominika Gacka Maksymilian Czarnota Maria Wojcieszek Aleksandra Żołnierek Katarzyna Gondek Magdalena Fidelis Aleksandra Anna Mączyńska Wiktoria Szumlińska Noor Al-karawi Paulina Kędziorek Zuzanna Tanç |
| author_facet | Dominika Gacka Maksymilian Czarnota Maria Wojcieszek Aleksandra Żołnierek Katarzyna Gondek Magdalena Fidelis Aleksandra Anna Mączyńska Wiktoria Szumlińska Noor Al-karawi Paulina Kędziorek Zuzanna Tanç |
| author_sort | Dominika Gacka |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
The reclassification of Asperger’s syndrome within DSM-5 (2013) and ICD-11 (2019) marked a pivotal moment in the diagnostic landscape of neurodevelopmental disorders. After three decades of being recognized as a distinct clinical entity, Asperger’s syndrome was merged into the broader autism spectrum disorder (ASD) category, triggering extensive debate over diagnostic precision, social identity, and clinical consequences. This review synthesizes evidence on the evolution of diagnostic criteria, with a focus on historical milestones (Kanner, Asperger, Wing) that shaped the conceptualization of autism and Asperger’s syndrome across successive DSM and ICD editions. A structured literature search (PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar; 2005–2024) identified 92 peer-reviewed articles meeting inclusion criteria (English or Polish language, human studies, and clear reference to diagnostic transitions and their psychosocial or clinical impact). Special attention is given to the effects of reclassification on individuals’ identity, the risk of diagnostic loss—especially in those with mild or atypical profiles—and the evolving terminology debate. Findings indicate that approximately 10–15% of individuals previously diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome no longer meet ASD criteria under DSM-5 and ICD-11, raising concerns about service access and psychological well-being. The review also discusses challenges in distinguishing ASD from personality disorders, the diagnostic implications of camouflaging behaviors, and future research directions aimed at refining assessment tools and supporting neurodivergent identity.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-da935b7ba0c0468eb89f05827d5206c3 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2391-8306 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Kazimierz Wielki University |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Education, Health and Sport |
| spelling | doaj-art-da935b7ba0c0468eb89f05827d5206c32025-08-20T03:16:42ZengKazimierz Wielki UniversityJournal of Education, Health and Sport2391-83062025-07-018310.12775/JEHS.2025.83.60689Autism Spectrum Disorder in ICD-11: Diagnostic, Therapeutic and Identity - Related Implications of the Discontinuation of Asperger's Syndrome as a Separate DiagnosisDominika Gacka0https://orcid.org/0009-0006-7444-0326Maksymilian Czarnota1https://orcid.org/0009-0002-9322-4494Maria Wojcieszek2https://orcid.org/0009-0008-3807-7317Aleksandra Żołnierek 3https://orcid.org/0009-0000-0396-4479Katarzyna Gondekhttps://orcid.org/0009-0001-2833-8287Magdalena Fidelis4https://orcid.org/0009-0001-7356-8065Aleksandra Anna Mączyńska5https://orcid.org/0009-0006-6887-8188Wiktoria Szumlińska6https://orcid.org/0009-0001-5286-4228Noor Al-karawi7https://orcid.org/0009-0005-6647-1520Paulina Kędziorek8https://orcid.org/0009-0002-8126-5803Zuzanna Tanç9https://orcid.org/0009-0009-3030-7592Szpital Morski im PCK , GdyniaSzpital Morski im. PCK w GdyniMedical University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 61, 02-091 Warsaw, PolandSPL dla Pracowników Wojska SPZOZ w WarszawieSzpital Morski im. PCK: Gdynia, Pomerania, PLLUX MED Sp. z o.o., ul. Szturmowa 2, 02-678 WarszawaPIM MSWiAPIM MSWiA w Warszawie, ul. Wołoska 137, 02-507 Warszawa, PolandSamodzielny Publiczny Zakład Opieki Zdrowotnej, Wincentego Witosa 2, 06-200 Maków MazowieckiSPZOZ- ZZ im. Duńskiego Czerwonego Krzyża, ul. Wincentego Witosa 2, 06-200 Maków Mazowiecki The reclassification of Asperger’s syndrome within DSM-5 (2013) and ICD-11 (2019) marked a pivotal moment in the diagnostic landscape of neurodevelopmental disorders. After three decades of being recognized as a distinct clinical entity, Asperger’s syndrome was merged into the broader autism spectrum disorder (ASD) category, triggering extensive debate over diagnostic precision, social identity, and clinical consequences. This review synthesizes evidence on the evolution of diagnostic criteria, with a focus on historical milestones (Kanner, Asperger, Wing) that shaped the conceptualization of autism and Asperger’s syndrome across successive DSM and ICD editions. A structured literature search (PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar; 2005–2024) identified 92 peer-reviewed articles meeting inclusion criteria (English or Polish language, human studies, and clear reference to diagnostic transitions and their psychosocial or clinical impact). Special attention is given to the effects of reclassification on individuals’ identity, the risk of diagnostic loss—especially in those with mild or atypical profiles—and the evolving terminology debate. Findings indicate that approximately 10–15% of individuals previously diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome no longer meet ASD criteria under DSM-5 and ICD-11, raising concerns about service access and psychological well-being. The review also discusses challenges in distinguishing ASD from personality disorders, the diagnostic implications of camouflaging behaviors, and future research directions aimed at refining assessment tools and supporting neurodivergent identity. https://apcz.umk.pl/JEHS/article/view/60689Autism Spectrum DisorderAsperger SyndromeDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental DisordersInternational Classification od FiseasesLanguage DevelopmentPersonal Identity |
| spellingShingle | Dominika Gacka Maksymilian Czarnota Maria Wojcieszek Aleksandra Żołnierek Katarzyna Gondek Magdalena Fidelis Aleksandra Anna Mączyńska Wiktoria Szumlińska Noor Al-karawi Paulina Kędziorek Zuzanna Tanç Autism Spectrum Disorder in ICD-11: Diagnostic, Therapeutic and Identity - Related Implications of the Discontinuation of Asperger's Syndrome as a Separate Diagnosis Journal of Education, Health and Sport Autism Spectrum Disorder Asperger Syndrome Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders International Classification od Fiseases Language Development Personal Identity |
| title | Autism Spectrum Disorder in ICD-11: Diagnostic, Therapeutic and Identity - Related Implications of the Discontinuation of Asperger's Syndrome as a Separate Diagnosis |
| title_full | Autism Spectrum Disorder in ICD-11: Diagnostic, Therapeutic and Identity - Related Implications of the Discontinuation of Asperger's Syndrome as a Separate Diagnosis |
| title_fullStr | Autism Spectrum Disorder in ICD-11: Diagnostic, Therapeutic and Identity - Related Implications of the Discontinuation of Asperger's Syndrome as a Separate Diagnosis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Autism Spectrum Disorder in ICD-11: Diagnostic, Therapeutic and Identity - Related Implications of the Discontinuation of Asperger's Syndrome as a Separate Diagnosis |
| title_short | Autism Spectrum Disorder in ICD-11: Diagnostic, Therapeutic and Identity - Related Implications of the Discontinuation of Asperger's Syndrome as a Separate Diagnosis |
| title_sort | autism spectrum disorder in icd 11 diagnostic therapeutic and identity related implications of the discontinuation of asperger s syndrome as a separate diagnosis |
| topic | Autism Spectrum Disorder Asperger Syndrome Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders International Classification od Fiseases Language Development Personal Identity |
| url | https://apcz.umk.pl/JEHS/article/view/60689 |
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