Is there a difference between Asperger's Syndrome and High-Functioing Autism?

Answer 1

Absolutely Yes.. Those affected with asperger's disorder do not have any speech difficulties ever. They learn to speak on time, just as any other normal kid. I have HFA, and I didn't learn how to speak until around the age of 4. Even then I still had great difficulties pronouncing words, and allowing people to understand what I was saying. In school I was going through a speech therapy program which started before I went to preschool, and I continued in that or a similar speech program until around the 4th grade. Even to this day I have problems with my speech, and many people cannot understand what I am saying because I mumble too much. I am now 29.. I can tell you that there is a huge difference..

The difference has absolutely nothing to do with IQ level or any form of intellgence (common mistake). In fact, Hans Asperger has noted that some of his patients were below average intelligence. It is also very possible that someone with autistic disorder is genius. It is much harder for them to express their knowledge because of their speech problems, but it is possible that it is there..

Answer 2

Really, the only difference is that people with Asperger's developed speech at normal age in their childhood. Their speech may have been odd, even robotic, but it was there & fully functioning.

"High- Functioning" is a bit more of a general term. It makes no destinction based on onset of speech.

Some people suspect Einstein had HF Autism. But he didn't speak until he was 4 or so, & still had speech problems at age 8, so he would not be classified as autistic.

Answer 3

I am not a Dr. but have read books about Asperger's
Syndrome since my son has been diagnosed with
it. I believe the terms are the same.