Asperger Syndrome and Autism?

Question

What are the primary difference between Asperger Syndrome and Autism? From my understanding Asperger Syndrome is on the autistic scale but is a somewhat more mild form of autism.  Is that correct?

Answer 1

Your conception is correct.  People with Asperger's Syndrome have average or better IQ, or may have low average IQ on some assessments, but basically do not have intellectual problems.  I have read that the new DSM will discontinue Asperger's Syndrome and just include it in a single diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, but nothing is certain until it happens.

I have seen so many different people diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome that I have begun to wonder what it means.  In some cases, I wonder if the diagnosis itself CREATES the condition.  I do not have the same view of Autism.  However, I only see people for 90 minutes to three hours and maybe they show more symptoms over time.  I have known people with low functioning Autism over longer periods of time.

Answer 2

There are vast differences between Autism and High Functioning Asperger Syndrome. These fall under a category called PDD-NOS which stands for Pervasive Development Disorder - Not Otherwise Specificed.

A Pervasive Development Disorder or any type of disorder cannot be cured, it is a lifelong disability. However, the far-reaching range - all the way from autism at one of the spectrum, to a person who is high functioning and can hold down a job shows just how varied this disorder is.

I think the term "milder" is entirely inappropriate.

At one end, (let's use a child as an example) a mother may be trying to cope with a 4 year-old boy who doesn't speak, has temper tantrums, use a rocking motion when distressed. The child may find 2 or 3 games, puzzles etc and play with them over and over and over again.

A child with High Functioning Autism may be misdiagnosed as having ADHD. Because children with AS feels his/her senses are overloaded by noise, view recess out in the playground as chaos with too much stimuli coming in. The cihild may act out due to the high level of stress he/she feels when things aren't quiet and ordered. There is said to be an overlap beween High Functioning Aspeger Syndrome and OCD "Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder."

Teachers are catching on. They now know that children with Autism or AS need a closed off separate space, with a partition high enough not to see the other students. In this case, a Teacher's Assistant is a great benefit for such a child, to help them to focus and keep on task.

Answer 3

Yes Aspergers is a mild form of Autism,  it is an Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD).Hope I helped!