Phoebe Gatesdaughter of the founder of Microsofthe launched an unexpected revelation that surprised many during his participation in the popular Pódcast Call Her Daddy. In a relaxed talk, the young woman commented with a laugh: “My dad has Asperger”an affirmation that, although said in an anecdote, left a strong impression.
Although Bill Gates He never confirmed a formal diagnosis of Asperger, he did openly spoke of feeling different, mentioning in his autobiography Source Code (2025) that if he had grown up in the current era, he would probably have been diagnosed within the autistic spectrum, he published National Geographic.
This comment from Gates is key to understanding how Asperger is still perceived: which is associated with eccentric figures or technology geniuses. However, what really is the Asperger syndrome And how is it diagnosed today?
He Aspergeraccording to him National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (Of.u.), It is a neurological condition within the autistic spectrum that mainly affects social interaction, emotional reciprocity and behavior patterns. People with Asperger usually have a medium or higher intelligence, well -developed linguistic skills and a specific interest inclination. However, they have difficulty reading social signals and adapting to changes in their environment.
Although previously the Asperger was considered an independent diagnostic category, since 2013 the Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-5) includes it within the Autistic spectrum disorder (ASD)which generated controversy between those who defended their distinction. “The term Asperger is still colloquially used, although specialists prefer to talk about high functioning autism.”
The growing popularity of the term “neurodivergente” extended the spectrum of cognitive conditions, including the autismand ADHD, dyslexia and other forms of operation outside the norm.
-The term Asperger has its roots in the investigations of Hans Aspergerwho at the beginning of the 20th century identified children with social difficulties but intact cognitive skills. However, his work was overshadowed by the Second world War And it was not until 1994 that the syndrome was formally included in the diagnostic manual. For its part, Leo’s Kidsanother pioneer in the study of autism, coined the term “early child autism”, which allowed to establish a clearer distinction between the different forms of autism.
Asperger’s symptoms usually become evident during childhood, although some people, such as Bill Gatesthey may not receive a diagnosis until adulthood. Among the most common features are difficulties in social interactionsthe tendency to interpret words literally, an extreme sensitivity to certain sensory stimuli and a fascination with specific issues, sometimes with an obsessive intensity.
In his autobiography, Gates reported how, during his childhood, “My parents didn’t have a guide”and how it used to behave rudely or inappropriately without realizing it, which reflects the emotional disconnection that many people with Asperger experience when growing without knowing why the social world is so difficult for them to understand.
Although there is no cure for Asperger, various treatments and therapies can improve social, communicative and adaptive skills of people who suffer from it. Language therapy, occupational therapy, applied analysis of behavior (ABA) and individualized educational programs are some of the most common interventions.
However, unfounded theories still persist that link autism and Asperger with the administration of vaccinesespecially those that contain timerosal. The scientific community, including international organizations such as World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)he denied these theories, making it clear that there is no causal relationship between vaccines and autism.
The mention of Phoebe Gates On his father’s asperger, he opened a broader debate about how these conditions are perceived and about the need to treat the autism and the Asperger With greater understanding and respect. Although the Asperger syndrome It was integrated into the autistic spectrum, it remains important to banish stigmas and promote a better understanding of these conditions that affect millions of people worldwide.
