What's the differnce between Aspergers and autism?

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Those with the HFA label on a few occasions will be reminded that their own label is not an official diagnosis in the DSM 5. Those with the Aspergers label that read about it will be reminded several times a day that their label is not an official diagnosis in the DSM 5. Those with the Aspergers label will be reminded that their diagnosis might be a result of over-diagnosis and is associated with abalism against other Autistics, those with the HFA label rarely need to face that.

s**t! I haven't got abalism as well now have I? Oh God, I hope not!

There isn't much difference between HFA and Aspergers, but obviously a differences when compared LFA as regards IQ (classical or kanners autism). The main diagnostic difference is regarding language development, someone with aspergers has normal language development as opposed to HFA which has delayed language development. There is a lot of baseless opinions, such as that someone with AS has better social skills than someone with HFA, this is wrong. There is much debate over whether there should be 2 labels, and under DSM V there is simply one label "ASD" to include both kanners autism and HFA, Aspergers etc. Under ICD 10, they remain as separate diagnoses. As shown by this thread alone, many are confused over the difference between HFA and Aspergers. I don't believe language development should be a deciding factor in whether one is diagnosed with Aspergers or High functioning Autism, as both are virtually identical otherwise (if IQ is average or above average), and as regards Kanners Autism, this is also on the "spectrum". If there is need for a differentiating label between HFA and Aspergers, I would let it simply be ASD with language development problems/delay and ASD without language development problems/delay.

Personally I am diagnosed with Aspergers despite having had language development problems/delay, but this may have been caused by other factors hence my diagnosis of Aspergers and not ASD (under ICD 10), had I not had any discernable cause for my language delay, I would have diagnosed with simply ASD or Autism (HFA is not a recognized diagnosis in the DSM-IV-TR or the ICD-10). This shows the that Autism (when IQ<70) is identical to Aspergers.

Social skills do not significantly differ between HFA and Aspergers, the main different diagnosis criteria are as follows (under ICD 10):

(From Autism UK)

High-functioning autism and Asperger syndrome are both part of the 'autism spectrum'. The main difference between the two is thought to be in language development: people with Asperger syndrome, typically, will not have had delayed language development when younger.


Our Autism Helpline is often asked what the difference is between high-functioning autism and Asperger syndrome. Sometimes it can seem like the two diagnoses are given on an almost interchangeable basis. The controversy over the differences between these two diagnoses goes back a long way: here we examine some of the literature available and the reasoning behind the existence of the two separate terms.

Both people with high-functioning autism and Asperger syndrome are affected by the 'triad of impairments' common to all people with autism.

Both groups are likely to be of average or above average intelligence.

The debate as to whether we need two diagnostic terms is ongoing.

However, there may be features such as age of onset and motor skill deficits which differentiate the two conditions.

True, however Aspergers is still a separate diagnosis under ICD 10.

"other than speech delay with autism and no speech delay with Aspergers, I don't know of any difference"

Very true, please read my above posts (the first one may have some errors)

Overall someone with Asperger's will be better socially and verbally then someone with classic autism. Someone with AS will be less visibly "off" then someone with classic autism.

Some writers use the word autism when referring to the range of disorders on the autism spectrum or to the various pervasive developmental disorders.

If you are referring to "high functioning autism" (that is, autism with normal and above normal IQ) then no you are not correct. The main difference is language development.

This is indeed the view of many, but as you understand, a wrong viewpoint.

You probably don't It's a stereotype.

Very interesting topic. Can somebody clear something up for me? I was diagnosed with aspergers 2 years ago and have only reveled it to close family. If I was to tell someone about it one day, Is it OK to say I am autistic or will that mean general autism?

You could say: "I have Asperger's, a mild form of autism that is on the Autistic Spectrum". This makes it seem less "scary" to the person you're telling it too, as it includes the word 'mild' and 'a form of', while at the same time being more specific. You could then continue to tell of some of the symptoms, and which of these you display.

I would not recommend simply saying you are autistic, as a lot of people are sadly rather ignorant on the matter. Be specific so you can get your point across better. I've personally never told any of my friends or relatives outside my parents, but if I would then this is how I would do it.

Hope this helps!

Can there be any intellectual deficit(s) in order to be diagnosed with Aspergers?

As far as diagnostics are concerned, the differences between classic autism and aspegers is:
that to be aspergers, there must be no delay in speech
and to be aspergers you must have average or above average intelligence.
The overlap is huge and the distinction appears mainly with the persons childhood years. Someone with aspergers is typically considered high functioning, but can be a lot lower functioning than people assume.
Someone with aspergers have all of the symptoms of a low or medium functioning classic autism and only be set apart from not having a delay and speech. This can be bad because that can make getting support hard because it is assumed that aspergers are all high functioning.

If the intellectual deficit is not due to something like Dyslexia, but intellectual disability, it would be a form of atypical autism.

After what I've read people talking about on this forum, and what I've read about rates of comorbidity, I'm starting to think Aspergers may be autism with comorbid ADHD.

I don't think that it is always comorbid with ADHD to make Aspergers.
I'm diagnosed as an aspie currently and I don't follow the diagnostic criteria for ADHD well.