Ask Dr. Malcolm
Dr. Malcolm answers parents’ questions and concerns about their autistic children.
By Ronald I. Malcolm, EdD
Mrs. M. from CA asks:
My daughter is in her late 20s, and she has undiagnosed Asperger’s. She has difficulty making and keeping friends and struggles to find employment. Even though (she is) well-educated, I would say (she is) lacking in social skills. What kind of help can I get for her that would be effective? She doesn’t want to do therapy as it makes her emotional from talking about her life, which has been a lot of rejection. I wondered if she needed a diagnosis and (should) apply for jobs. We are on a budget, so where can we get therapy (...)?
There are still people who use the term Asperger’s syndrome. However, that term was retired around 2013. It previously referred to individuals considered to be on the high-functioning end of the autism spectrum.
What is Asperger’s syndrome?
Asperger’s syndrome is currently referred to as Level 1 of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Individuals with Level 1 autism may have above-average intelligence but have trouble with socializing and communicating effectively.