AS vs HFA

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I am diagnosed with AS however I believe I meet the criteria for autistic disorder. What do you all think the difference is?

Did you have a speech delay? If you did, then you cannot be an Aspie anyway. The biggest different is the delay in language and/or other forms of social communication. There are many other smaller differences as well. I posted a large post once on it, but I don't remember where. I recommend reading the book "Asperger Syndrome" which gives many similarities AND differences between AS and HF classic autism (the two do differ in more than one way, but are definitely still part of the same spectrum of course).

I did not have a speech delay however a speech delay is not required for a diagnosis of classic autism

No it is not, which is why I already expanded on this in my original post:



Some sort of communication delay IS required for a diagnosis of autism. This USUALLY (from what I have seen/heard/read from people) is in the form of a speech/language delay. It does not have to be; however, it ALWAYS involves some form of communication. If you were not delayed at all in communication, then you would not qualify for an autism diagnosis. If you were delayed, then you could qualify.

Section B in the dsm-iv for the autism diagnosis states:

(B) qualitative impairments in communication as manifested by at least one of the following:
1. delay in, or total lack of, the development of spoken language (not accompanied by an attempt to compensate through alternative modes of communication such as gesture or mime)
2. in individuals with adequate speech, marked impairment in the ability to initiate or sustain a conversation with others
3. stereotyped and repetitive use of language or idiosyncratic language
4. lack of varied, spontaneous make-believe play or social imitative play appropriate to developmental level

I meet criteria 2 and 3

Was this from an early age? When you go for an assessment, they will want to ask your parents this. The impairment must have been a developmental issue rather than one obtained later in life. If you developmentally meet those criteria, then you should go have the ADI-R and ADOS done and see if you pass the cutoffs for autism through that as well.

Yes it is from an early age. What is the ADI-R and ADOS?

The ADI-R is the diagnostic interview a psychologist will have with one or both of your parents (or guardians...or someone else who knew you very well as a baby and child from a caregiving perspective). I was in the room for the interview, but the questions were asked to my father, not me. The ADOS, is an interactive test between you and the psych (my father did not go with me that day). You are asked to build a puzzle, tell a story from a wordless picture book, describe pictures, do gestures and speech regarding certain everyday thing (like showing/telling how to brush teeth), and also you get asked questions on relationships and emotions and the like. Meanwhile, the psych is also evaluating you for eye contact, body language/posture, joint attention/reciprocity, etc. It sounds childish, but I assure you, that is the adult version. And even though it felt childish at the time, I still "failed" miserably. These are THE standardized tests for diagnosing autism spectrum disorders. Many psychs today choose not to use it, but this is the proper way. I actually tried to weasel my way out of it, but I was unsuccessful (and I am very glad I was so unsuccessful because it turned out to be very useful and I know the diagnosis is accurate now).

Not always. But mostly yes.

Hmmm...I am confused. Are you answering this for yourself or attempting to expand on what I have already expanded upon?

Asperger's = Autism sans language delay. Language delay means you started/learned to speak later than most children.

This is most often the case, but not always. The most common methods would automatically disclude anyone from an AS diagnosis if there is a clinical presentation of a speech delay. However, quite a few physicians and ASD diagnostic centres will use Gillberg's criteria. Or use this finding as part of their diagnostic tools. And consider the results in their findings along with the DSM or ICD criteria. With so many different ways an ASD person can present, it can be tricky getting the right diagnosis. Whose to say there really is a right though. There are so many varying presentations of any diagnosis on the spectrum really. Wonder of this is why there is a movement to lump everybody into one diagnosis code.

The newly diagnosed AS individual can also have speech delays that are more ENT related. Which happens more often than you may think.

My husband recommended a good article on it. http://aut.sagepub.com/content/4/1/11.abstract The original diagnosis by Asperger and the Gillberg criteria are very similar. However more recently the issue of speech challenges have been dropped by the DSM changes. Not sure if I got the last question correct from him. This is what he does and honestly, I don't understand lots of it. It can go way over my head at times.

So anyways, you will still have several professionals that will use the original diagnostic criteria by Hans Asperger and later by Gillberg. This despite the changes to the DSM IV criteria.

I have a feeling the medical powers will seek to change this yet again even.