Asperger’s Syndrome is what we used to call “socially awkward.” I’d be glad that research is being done at how to maximize achievement, but lumping them in with Autism is ridiculous. Autistic kids frequently cannot even achieve basic communication, whereas Aspergers kids often have precocious vocabularies (”little professors”).
Aspergers kids may prefer to socialize with adults and may have difficulty interpreting social cues; Autistic kids are often incapable of any affection whatsoever to even their own parents.
Aspergers kids may prefer intense interests, often with highly repetitive tasks; Autistic kids may be thrown into violent fits if their ritualistic behavior is disturbed.
Prior to 1981, no-one would have ever thought to call a kid with Asperger’s “disabled.” Autistic children are often completely incapable of functioning. IN fact, while I have theological problems with it, some people have even suggested that some of Jesus’ exorcisms were actually healings of severe autism.
In a Catholic mass, Aspergers kids would have no difficulty at all. In fact, some people have suggested they may gravitate towards the Latin Mass, charismaticism, or other intense worship. Autistic kids, on the other hands, may be prone to throwing fits, and may require tolerance and understanding on the part of the congregation... although the couple autistic kids I know of in my parish are frequently able to be managed simply by making use of the crying rooms.
By the way: I believe I may have a touch of Asperger’s. It’s hard for me to relate to having a “condition,” but I can see myself in many of the criteria, and nearly all of the “shorthands” my wife says her fellow Asperger’s kids’ teachers use.