I'm very engrossed studying Bleuler's early writings on Schizophrenia. I took this course as a progression. The further back you research Asperger's studies in wartime Austria, the closer you get to Schizophrenia. This is because the earliest accounts of Wing and Gould's former Asperger Syndrome were described as a form of Schizophrenia. Mainly as "Verschroben" or "Psychopathy".
Till very recently I wasn't aware how close Schizophrenia is to either Kanner Autism or Asperger's. There are still high-ranking researchers who claim these two latter disorders are, in fact, Schizophrenia. Moreover, the consensus tended to be they are very close.
Years ago I recall a psychiatrist ask me if I heard "voices". In fact, Bleuler stated hallucinations or mania or catatonia were not essential symptoms of Schizophrenia. The core symptoms he classed as autism, ambivalence and a fragmented personality. Intellect, will and emotion appear to be disintegrated. He describes a crisis of identity. Most of this makes sense to me. I am also aware in childhood I had a Schizophrenic swing that included extreme fear, some hallucinations and, of course, autistic withdrawel. This led to medical examination.
The fact this whole issue is highly complex is no understatement. I read theoretically you can have Asperger Disorder and comorbid Schizophrenia. Or, doctors may not be sure over concrete diagnosis and may differ. I do know for sure that Asperger autism is definitely related in genetic terms to Schizophrenia since it was found family lines have mixes of Schizoid and Schizophrenic types. Schizophrenia was stated to be recessive genetically.
At this time of writing it seems I do have many symptoms of Schizophrenia although no further hallucinations. I mostly fit Schizoid diagnosis - many believe the two are the same.
Reading Hans Asperger's own views on Schizophrenia he viewed it as more an ongoing process than Schizoid Disorder which he viewed as stable and constant. However, according to Bleuler there need not be hallucinations or delirium, or indeed a destructive outcome.
Must admit it's fascinating to dig ever deeper. I can very accurately identify all my symptoms or former symptoms but pinpointing an exact label is very involved.