Asperger syndrome

Asperger syndrome A disorder related to autism characterized by obsessive interests and behavior, but without speech delay or mental retardation. Other features of Asperger syndrome include physical clumsiness, and/or moderate to severe social deficits. Asperger syndrome is the mildest of and at the highest functioning end of the spectrum of pervasive developmental disorders (the autism spectrum). Persons with Asperger syndrome have deviations or abnormalities in three broad aspects of development: social relatedness and social skills, the use of language for communicative purposes, and certain behavioral and stylistic characteristics that involve repetitive or perseverative features and a limited but intense range of interests. See also autism.