Can Asperger's become worse?

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I wanted to ask: is it possible for Asperger's to worsen?

I have regular periods of muteness which I cannot speak in at all, not even to those closest to me. They are becoming more frequent and longer, sometimes lasting for an entire day but usually up to around one to six hours. I now have them four or five times a week when about a year ago, I'd have them once or twice a week for half an hour to an hour. I don't know their exact causes. It's not emotions for sure as I will still speak when I'm angry, sad, happy etc. I slip into them without realising and only notice if someone approaches me.

My meltdowns are becoming more frequent too and easier to trigger. If there's a slightest disruption to my routine, I panic, my emotions overwhelm me and I melt down. I'm becoming more violent during the meltdowns (hitting myself, banging my head against a wall, biting and scratching myself more etc) as well. I have them almost every day. A year ago, I would have had them maybe once or twice a fortnight. I've also noticed that I'm becoming more prone to repetitive behaviours (turning my head in a certain direction for no reason, playing songs repeatedly all the time, using the same words and phrases, making certain sounds and rocking back and forth more often etc.).

I don't know what's causing all of this and wanted to ask for your opinions.

No, I don't think ASDs get worse with time.

However, stress will make it harder to talk, increase meltdowns or shutdowns, increase stimming, everything you are describing.

Can you identify any stresses you can do something to change, or anything that would alleviate stress?

ASD does not progressively worsen.

However, ones ability to COPE will fluctuate depending on many factors, such as, coping skills, fatigue, stress, mental illness, nutrition, exposure to trauma, etc....

I'm going to go against the grain here and say yes, bear with me.

Over the years my AS has got better because I've got used to it's limitations and I can now work around them. So, if AS can get easier then the opposite must apply, it can also get worse.

How?

As humans we react to the environment around us and certain events can trigger changes in mood or behavior. Years ago I was treated for what the psychiatrist called 'reactive depression', I wasn't physically sick but certain events at the time were causing me to get depressed. deep down I'm sure that events in our lives can trigger AS symptoms.

The technical answer is no.

The obvious answer, for you however, is yes. You've gotten worse, you've noticed it.

Since there isn't 1 known cause for aspegers, and since handfuls of people have reported vast improvement to various, odd treatments (lots of vitamin E, gluten free and casein free diets, treating possible gut dysbiosis, etc) it could be that yes, it is getting worse because one of these other disorders you might also have is getting worse. It's a slim chance, but it's possible.

Overall though, while the prospect of a disorder one's had since infancy as getting better, it's much easier to me at least to imagine that it can get worse. It's easy to break things, hard to fix them, this applies to everything.

Some of your symptoms, like mutism, could possibly be symptoms of schizophrenia, specifically the negative symptoms, which IS a disorder that generally only manifests in teenager years and later until around 30 or so. How old are you?
Ah, you're 16...definitely worth seeking a professional opinion.

I realise that everyone who has answered your question has said no. Personally I believe the answer is yes... Why? Because for the last four years mine has been getting exponentially worse.. I was only officially diagnosed a month ago and the suggestion that I had Asperger's was only suggested six months ago so it's not a psychosomatic response either!

No one knows you better than you, I can say for certain my Asperger's is getting worse. Whether it will stop getting worse, who knows ?

Thanks for the replies, everyone! It has helped a lot and reassured me.

I will definitely mention the muteness to the team of psychologists who diagnosed me a few weeks ago,

I hope not. No, I don't think Asperger's can get worse like Alzheimer's does.

I think the surroundings and events that goes on in the person's life can affect the Asperger's and make some traits worse but can also make other traits better or even disappear. I don't think the whole thing itself can get worse as such.

However, some Aspies might experience an intense breakdown, which might cause them to become Agoraphobic and never have any interaction with outsiders for weeks, months, years or possibly even the rest of their lives, which can make other symptoms worse. But that can be treated with the right help.

The traits with age could become more evident or more of a burden. Environmental matters scarring. Stomach not as able to cope with things that push it dietary wise. Getting worn out easier, taking longer to recover.


Most people can't drink alcohol, stay up late, concentrate as long, play sports as often, exert themselves as often, or take in information as quickly.

People often seem happier to be more themselves with age as well.

I don't think it can get worse either. However I do believe our ability to cope with some aspects of it can be more challenging at times. I know I am going thru a particularly BAD period now but it is because of overload more then anything. Too much for me to handle at once and yet I must. In turn this has made my depression far worse then it has been in a long time. Which just makes everything else seem worse. Vicious cycle it seems.