Autism vs. Aspergers-what do you use?

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I saw a paper that finally revealed the year of my diagnosis which was in 1995, but the official paper used the term "autism" instead of "aspergers". Now, I don't know if I'm even officially diagnosed with Aspergers, but I would guess I'm on the higher-functioning end of the spectrum, but I seemed to have picked up the term "aspergers" and it eventually stuck. I know some people can't stand it because of the inevitable "ass burgers" jokes, but I like aspergers a little better than autism. I still use autism sometimes, though.

I've said it a lot on this site already but I don't like the term "Asperger Syndrome". It's part of the whole deal with ranking autism, which I'm personally against. As a spectrum with many different variables that can each have their own severities, I don't think it's right to put a value on certain peoples' problems, abilities and traits.

I do from time to time refer to AS, but only to clarify to those who are less informed about the spectrum.

I refer to myself as having Asperger's Syndrome, then any degree of the spectrum as Autism. I still consider myself to be Autistic despite preferring to tell others I have AS specifically if it comes up.

I'm self-diagnosed, and from what I understand the terms are frequently used interchangeably.

When I was researching originally, I found the slight differences in the way the two words were presented online that led me towards Asperger's, so I think that this is primarily what I class myself as having. However, when I discussed it with my husband I did use the phrase (and I'm aware that this may offend but I hope it doesn't) "I believe I have autism. You know, just Asperger's, obviously a fairly low-level case".

I am not actively open about it, as self-diagnosis makes me feel uncomfortable making the claim outside of an understanding community, and also I have no 'new' friends recently and having worked hard to build friendships over the past 2 years I feel like it's a little late on to be announcing it. However, I have mentioned it to one friend (mother with a son on the spectrum) and as I felt comfortable addressing this with her I did use the phrase "I have autism", without clarification. She could see that it's not a 'severe' case, she didn't need me to point that out. I couldn't gauge her reaction to the statement, belief or disbelief or something else entirely, but the word 'autism' rolled off the tongue in the moment, so what I class myself as and what I say to other people are apparently two very different things.

I use both.

I wouldn't have been diagnosed with Asperger's under the DSM IV criteria, because I had a speech delay.

My presentation is more Aspergian than anything else, though.

I am informally an Aspie, and more formally a Spectrumite.

Autism.
I do not have Aspergers in my diagnosis.

In 1995, Asperger's had been a formal diagnosis under the DSM-IV for exactly one year. I'm not sure when Asperger's started to be inserted into the ICD.

I use either.

When I believe it to be necessary, I divulge to others that I have been diagnosed with High-functioning autism. According to some, this is simply the new terminology for Asperger's syndrome, which is apparently now a defunct diagnosis. Conversely, however, others state that there is a slight distinction between the two. I read that those who are 'Aspies' do not have speech development delays, whereas those with HFA do.

If there is a difference between the two, I believe that aspies tend to be of higher intelligence. But this is founded simply on my own inability to excel at anything in school, thus it's a groundless thought.

I use both, but my family forces me to use "autistic" whenever we have visitors.

I use "Autism/Autistic" even though was professionally diagnosed with Asperger's when it was being used. I'm cool with "Aspie" tho.

I prefer using the term Asperger's. I pronounce the "g" like a "j" to deal with the tiresome jokes about rear ends and hamburgers. Asperger's as basically a "dash" of autism. I don't want to be lumped together with the same group as severely autistic people. I know that sounds evil, but it's true. I once had to stay in a home where many people were severely autistic, and it was not a good place for an aspie.

I dont tell ppl often but if i do i say autism spectrum disorder.

I was diagnosed with Aspergers but after it was changed to ASD i just use autism spectrum disorder.

I use Aspie, autistic or aspie-autistic