The neurologist spoke about the frequent fatigue and burnout of people with Asperger's syndrome

People with Asperger's syndrome are more likely to experience social fatigue and risk burnout. Natalia Stepanenko, a neurologist at Children's Medicine JSC (Academician Roitberg Clinic), Candidate of Medical Sciences, told Izvestia about this on February 18, the International Day of Asperger's Syndrome.

According to the doctor, the first signs of Asperger's syndrome can appear in children between the ages of one and two years. Key markers include lack of response to a name, limited eye contact, and unusual sensory responses, such as hypersensitivity to sounds or textures, the neurologist added. Such children often have impaired social communication with complete preservation of cognitive abilities.

"Historically, Asperger's syndrome has been described as a form of autism without a delay in speech and intellectual development. Today it is clear that autism is a spectrum, not a set of discrete diagnoses. The differences between "classical" autism and Asperger's were often determined only by the age of speech or the level of support, rather than the quality of the manifestations. The modern classification focuses on individual human needs rather than labels," Stepanenko said.

As the doctor explained, adults with this feature often face social fatigue and the risk of burnout. This is due to the constant use of "camouflage" — conscious imitation of neurotypical behavior. Sensory overload from bright light or noise depletes resources, and difficulties with household planning interfere with daily life.

Stepanenko also said that there are significant gender differences in diagnosis: men are diagnosed several times more often.

"Women are more likely to mask the symptoms: they copy the social behavior of their peers, choose "socially acceptable" special interests (animals, literature instead of technology)," the expert concluded.

Last October, the ScienceNet portal reported that high rates of autism in humans may be closely related to the process of human evolution. Scientists believe that autism, like schizophrenia, may be the result of unique changes in human genetics that ensured the survival of ancestors.

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