Autea Rejects Outdated Asperger Label on Awareness Day
Andorran autism group emphasizes integration into Autism Spectrum Disorder per DSM-5 and ICD-11, preferring UN's 2 April over 18 February.
Key Points
- Asperger integrated into ASD since DSM-5 (2013) and ICD-11 (2022) due to lack of distinct markers.
- Prefers UN International Autism Awareness Day on 2 April over outdated 18 February Asperger day.
- Stresses invisible efforts and stigmas faced by high-functioning individuals with anxiety and social challenges.
- Rising family demands from increased diagnoses; plans expansion for adolescents and adults.
**Autea association rejects outdated Asperger label on its international awareness day**
The Andorran Association for Autism Spectrum Disorder (Autea) marked what is traditionally known as International Asperger Syndrome Day on 18 February by emphasising that the term "Asperger" is no longer a distinct official diagnosis. Instead, it has been integrated into the broader Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) category for over a decade, following updates in major international medical classifications.
Autea president Maite Benítez told *El Periòdic* that the shift, introduced in the DSM-5 in 2013 and reinforced by the ICD-11 in 2022, reflects scientific evidence. Clinicians found no consistent clinical or biological markers to separate Asperger from other autism forms; differences lie mainly in the level of support individuals require. "We speak of autism, not Asperger," Benítez said, describing it as part of a spectrum.
While welcoming any chance to raise awareness, Autea prefers 2 April, the United Nations-recognised International Autism Awareness Day, as it encompasses everyone on the spectrum without divisions. Benítez stressed the hidden nature of autism: "It is not visible, but it is lived." People with higher autonomy often make enormous unseen efforts to adapt, leading to persistent stigmas that dismiss their challenges if they appear independent or verbal.
She highlighted misunderstandings around anxiety, rigidity, and social withdrawal, which stem from neurological differences rather than choice. Greater visibility has brought more diagnoses and sensitivity, but true understanding requires grasping daily realities. "Awareness is not just knowing what autism is, but understanding what it entails," Benítez noted.
The association has seen rising demand from families, which Benítez attributes to increased diagnosis rates and support needs, not a rise in autism prevalence. Institutions show more dialogue, yet demands remain substantial and lifelong, evolving as people age.
Autea, approaching its 20th anniversary in 2026, plans to expand projects for adolescents and adults to reduce isolation and promote inclusion. "When a difficulty is not seen, it is often not understood—and without understanding, support falls short," Benítez concluded.
Original Sources
This article was aggregated from the following Catalan-language sources: