From classic Asperger Syndrome to schizoid Asperger Syndrome

Background:   Autistic syndrome, especially Asperger syndrome (AS), 
often differs from schizoid personality in childhood. Several attempts  
have been made to compare these diagnostic concepts (Tantam, 1988;  
Nagy, Szatmari, 1986).These diagnostic categories were differentiated  
in terms of the level and pervasiveness of social disability (more  
severe in AS).
Objectives: We have proposed to connect these two diagnostic  
categories into one, but with or without schizotypical symptoms.
Methods: We have examined and classified close to a hundred patients  
with primary diagnosis of Asperger syndrome by using DSM IV TR and  
Gillberg criteria.
Results: We have obtained roughly a 50/50 proportion between AS with  
and without schizotypical symptoms. The patients with AS and  
schizotypical symptoms were found to have better results in  
psychotherapy and did not have to take neuroleptics in contrast to  
children with classic AS.
Conclusions: We think that in the one illness we may have observed two  
kinds of AS: classic and with schizotypical factors, but also with a  
less intensivity of the core symptoms of AS. But if these  
schizotypical (more introversive) symptoms lead to the better  
prognosis, we may label it as the spectrum of Asperger Syndrome--from  
AS to Introversion.