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Now before you ask, no, this is not a "parenting" question. I'm asking this because I've been diagnosed with high-functioning autism (HFA) since at a very young age. Then, last year, I took an online test that had something to do with mental disorders. I checked in the appropriate answers which best suit me, and the test came back with the result saying that I have Asperger's syndrome (AS). Now, recently I've been researching on both AS and HFA, and the only difference I can find thus far is that a diagnosis of HFA requires that, early in development, the child had delayed language whereas in AS, the child did not show a significant delay in language development. Other than that, they are said to be the exact same diagnosis. It is possible that, sometime in the future, both AS and HFA may be combined into one category.
So, my question is this: Are there ANY other differences between AS and HFA? If so, what, if any?
Any answers/insights are greatly appreciated on this. Thank you all in advance!
HFA and Asperger's are essentially the same diagnosis as they share many of the same features. You are correct that the defining feature of AS is that there was no evidence of a speech/language delay.
My niece has AS and her language development was actually earlier than most children. She had one tough time in school though because she is very uncomfortable with social interactions.
Asperger syndrome was removed from the most recent diagnostic manual. It now falls under the umbrella term Autism Spectrum Disorder. Prior to this AS presented without language delay where HFA had a delay.
The different spectrums of AS or HFAS is huge. Some may do well in typical settings some not so well. Some may have high IQ's some not. As the saying goes for this: Once you've met someone with Asperger's you've met one person with Asperger's. Meaning you're all different and can't really compare one person to another.
My son always took things very literally. A few examples. (did have a IEP for all the good it did him, not)
Elementary math question: measure the angle A B C. His answer was: done.
Of course teacher marked it wrong. I knew right away it was because it did not ask
What is the angle? He followed the directions exactly as was written. I had numerous discussions with teachers about this, if answer seems off for the teacher to see if it was how questions were asked... It never was resolved but son got a bit better at interpreting us neuro-typicals.
Another example
Told to take a bucket down to ice machine and fill it with ice and put it in the cooler, he was about 12, of course the bucket filled with ice was in the cooler, not just the ice. He had seen us do this many times but it was the first time he did on his own.
I didn't point out his mistake didn't want to embarrass him.
AS is no longer given as a diagnosis with the most recent DSM. Now it is just under the umbrella of Autism Spectrum. I was tested under the newest DSM and was diagnosed with ASD, but I suspect that if I had been tested under the previous DSM they would have said AS.
The different spectrums of AS or HFAS is huge. Some may do well in typical settings some not so well. Some may have high IQ's some not. As the saying goes for this: Once you've met someone with Asperger's you've met one person with Asperger's. Meaning you're all different and can't really compare one person to another.
My son always took things very literally. A few examples. (did have a IEP for all the good it did him, not)
Elementary math question: measure the angle A B C. His answer was: done.
Of course teacher marked it wrong. I knew right away it was because it did not ask
What is the angle? He followed the directions exactly as was written. I had numerous discussions with teachers about this, if answer seems off for the teacher to see if it was how questions were asked... It never was resolved but son got a bit better at interpreting us neuro-typicals.
Another example Told to take a bucket down to ice machine and fill it with ice and put it in the cooler, he was about 12, of course the bucket filled with ice was in the cooler, not just the ice. He had seen us do this many times but it was the first time he did on his own.
I didn't point out his mistake didn't want to embarrass him.
And, your point is?
Maybe it's my Asperger's, but I read that line a few times, but still couldn't see what your son did wrong. I get it now, but didn't know the bucket wasn't to be put in the cooler too.
I wish your son luck, he's going to need it. I still do.
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