Differences Between Asperger's & High-Functioning Autism

[klebehss]

also.. I haven't been to a psychiatrist yet .. so ... not officially diagnosed.

[yuginot]

I hope I am not acting for my family. In all of my life, I have searched and asked others if they have seen or known anyone that is even somewhat like me. As yet, this has not happened. I don't care what name is used to define what ever this is! In time definitions change. This has been difficult to write as I see that it exposses one openly.

[klebehss]

@yuginot WOW !! you opened up a lot !! I myself wouldn't tell that much..!! I just discovered that people were like me just this week, and every thing makes sense now ...., however, I am 18 ... glad I discovered it now and not at 54 years ...

[yuginot]

Each chapter of my life is defined by a period, over several years, that lasts until the I can no longer continue the lie or acted part. Then I or we, as now there is a family involved, move across the country to start a new part. I have performed this for so long, that I it is difficult to know really who I am.

[yuginot]

Since upon hearing the radio program, I have been exploring myself very deeply, and it has been the most unpleasent, depressing, etc. time of my life. I am 54, I believe that I have finally found, at least a possible reason for, what I am. Because of the want to be excepted, I have, over the years, hidden from myself by creating different overlaying personas to fit in.

[yuginot]

I have never responded to any videos before, however, due to events in my life over the past few days (an NPR program to a couple in which one member is diagnosed with Asperger's) in which I had one of those " This sounds like me" moments, that I feel the need to respond. GOOD ON YOU! and the rest on the internet for sharing your experiences on the web.

[armankhodaei]

@yuginot Thanks

[misspinkpunkykat]

Aparently the only diffrrence between HFA and AS is a delay in speech. Most people I talk too don't have a clue about AS, but autism isn't new to them. If someone told me I was being a fraud, I'd ask them where they got they got their credentials to diagnose random people on the internet. I never wanted friendships ever and perfered my obsessions over friendships. My obsessions are my friends.

[armankhodaei]

@misspinkpunkykat Thank you.

[AppleFritter809]

Who ever was bullying you for using the term "high functioning autism" must be psycho. I don't see how anyone rational and sane can just go nuts because someone uses the term "high functioning autism."

[armankhodaei]

@AppleFritter809 Thank you. From the messages I got from this person, I felt they were a bit on the psycho end.

[DjCosmicRush]

Hi there. I'm 19 and I'm almost sure I have some type of autism but I think I am also intellectually gifted. I was diagnosed as ADHD as child but it really doesn't seem like I have ADHD. Could You maybe help me figure out if I have some type of autism? Pm me thanks!

[TakenbyTolstoy]

This was a very enlightening presentation, thank you! I've had the idea that AS differs from HFA in other ways as well besides the speech delay, but I haven't been able to put my finger on what the differences really are. From your experience, considering only the aspect of socializing, do you think it's easier on a person to have high-functioning autism than Asperger's?

[armankhodaei]

@TakenbyTolstoy In some ways, yes, but in some ways no. It really depends on context of the situation more than anything.

[goduniverse]

@armankhodaei

This IS no such thing as "Asperger's". Ask the APA. They changed it from Asperger's to High Functioning Autism. God could you at least know what you're talking about.

[armankhodaei]

@goduniverse The change doesn't take effect until 2013 and that is for the American diagnostic criteria. Some other countries might still choose to use the term Asperger's Syndrome.

[Quintega]

@TakenbyTolstoy I have Aspergers and I really have times I hate it others where I love it. But I despise early intervention

[TakenbyTolstoy]

@Quintega Why's that?

[Quintega]

@TakenbyTolstoy Early intervention is basically forced human connection which left me with a persona I don't like and adds to my stress

[TakenbyTolstoy]

@Quintega Sorry to hear that. (I also have Asperger's but wasn't diagnosed until in my twenties so I have no experience of early intervention and can't really imagine how it would have affected me.)

[Melchersson]

@TakenbyTolstoy I was diagnosed when i was 35 and after suffering from depressions, anxiety and social phobia since i was 14 i think my life would have been better knowing what i was suffering from. havent you experienced from any similar symptoms in early years?

[TakenbyTolstoy]

@Melchersson Yes I have and still do. And yes, the diagnosis was a relief at the age I got it, but I'm not sure whether it would have been a relief for me as a teenager. Maybe - it would have been good if I had had more support in school for instance, but on the other hand I wasn't very cooperative in those years. Worst-case scenario is that it would have increased pressure on me (my way of coping was to keep distance and try to go unnoticed).

[aardvaark069]

You are super cute!!!!!!

[JP99764]

I don't think it's as easy as just saying that someone is this or that, especially in adulthood when the differences become less noticeable. Take yourself for example - assuming you never stated you were HFA, I would be hard pressed to figure it out seeing as you're well spoken in your videos and that you tend to be more socially engaged than the average HFA.

[RubberWilbur]

Hi I use to think they were the same, but after listening to you I know there is a big difference. I have AS and a great desire to connect with others, but can't. I do know other people with high functioning autism (I use to label them with AS) who have absolutely no desire to be with others. 

[armankhodaei]

@RubberWilbur I've noticed that as well, and it is very interesting to say the least.

[tyroblogger]

I've been watching your videos for a while now, and this video was great! Your speaking skills, the content and your insight was all very good.

[armankhodaei]

@tyroblogger Thank you :)

[jakerockznoodles]

Apparently in the UK when I was diagnosed, HFA was recognised as a diagnosis... kind of. They stopped using the term because it caused confusion. Basically, at the time over here it was a label given to anybody on the Autistic Spectrum who had an IQ > 70 (or 75, I can't quite remember). Now they just use the term ASD and are considering putting AS people in the same bracket because many people have assumed that people with AS need absolutely no support and it has caused a bit of trouble.

[jakerockznoodles]

@jakerockznoodles Sorry, yeah, I think it is also to come into line with the DSM-5. I forgot to mention this :D.

[DonSSanders]

Thanks Arman. Latest is that there are over 300 genes involved in the autism spectrum. Every one of us is completely unique in the expression of our autism...common traits do appear that define the condition, but on the individual level we all have very different brains than NTs *and* one another. We each have a unique pattern of genetic loading for autism. Then our environment interacts to make our autistic experience.

[armankhodaei]

@Dalmatianlovergirl84 Your child may have got that diagnosis because he may not have had enough autism traits to get him a regular autism diagnosis. Or, the person diagnosing your child may not have felt your child was impaired enough for a diagnosis. Really, a diagnosis can be quite subjective.

[armankhodaei]

@Dalmatianlovergirl84 I checked it out. Thanks for the tip.

[meylisINTP]

Thank you so much Arman. You're the best!

[armankhodaei]

@meylisINTP Thank you :)

[LeifAlexander87]

im high functioning to