Asperger syndrome
![Young red-haired boy facing away from camera, stacking a seventh can atop a column of six food cans on the kitchen floor. An open pantry contains many more cans.](/Images/godic/202412/22/Autism-stacking-cans_2nd_edit4925.jpg")
![Autism spectrum disorder video](/Images/godic/202412/22/-Autism_spectrum_disorder_video.webm4925.jpg")
![Functional magnetic resonance imaging provides some evidence for both underconnectivity and mirror neuron theories.[54][55]](/Images/godic/202412/22/FMRI4926.jpg")
![Students and families walk to support Autism Awareness Month.](/Images/godic/202412/22/Students,_families_walk_to_support_Autism_Awareness_Month_140404-M-ZZ999-3314926.jpg")
Asperger syndrome (AS), also known as Aspergers, is a developmental disorder characterized by significant difficulties in social interaction and nonverbal communication, along with restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior and interests. It is an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and differs from other disorders by relatively normal language and intelligence. Although not required for diagnosis, physical clumsiness and unusual use of language are common. Symptoms usually begin before two years old and can last for a person's entire life.