Is Aspergers different from Autism? It seems it could be...

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So I found this interesting study concerning the neurological differences between aspergers and autism.

Although the study was somewhat limited, it concluded that there was indeed some distinctions between Autistic Disorder and Aspergers Syndrome. I'm rather skeptical about this - I wonder if it is representative of all who are diagnosed with aspergers or autism. I'm hoping that this will open the floodgates to further research on this.

Discuss.

Interesting find. It certainly is food for thought. It may very well be on the spectrum, but my feeling is that Asperger's is indeed a distinct condition with certain characteristics apart from classic autism. It wouldn't surprise me if there was a discovery concerning some sort of actual neurological distinction.

I also find it rather interesting that the study mentions how difficult Asperger's is to diagnose using the DSM-IV. In my opinion, the proposed changes to the DSM-V, where the section on Asperger's is subsumed by the section on autism, doesn't really make the problem any better; in fact, I worry that it will actually make diagnosis harder by making the line between Asperger's and HFA more ambiguous than it already is. I don't see how the APA has any grounds to rearrange their definitions when there are studies like this which suggest that the psychiatric community still isn't all that sure what the actual distinctions are. The DSM-V could go unedited for several years. For the time being, why make a decision that could potentially affect so many undiagnosed people negatively when the subject in question isn't even thoroughly examined to a point of consensus?

I think it's important to put this kind of information in context.

The DSM is the diagnostic bible--it provides checklists of presentations, and if there are an appropriate number of ticks in boxes, a diagnosis results. But this method is entirely dependent upon presentations--and for Autism and Asperger's, none of the presentations are physiological.

These researchers have then said, "let's look and see whether there are demonstrable anatomical differences." But no one has yet closed the circle and figured out which anatomical differences are the markers. Are all of the lower and higher volumes markers? Are they causative or consequential?

It is intuitive that conditions that have different presentations are going to look different, anatomically. But that does not necessarily mean that aggregating them is medically incorrect.

As for the changes proposed for DSM-V, that's probably a discussion for another thread.

I see alot of differences between me and the AS folks here. I am more autie than aspie and for one I found that many here with AS are alot smarter than me. I am like a short person walking 4 times as fast to keep up with taller people. I have a quest for knowlege like alot of ya'll do. but less ability to totally understand what I find.
This is just my experience, so my fellow auties, dont jump on me for calling you stupid or something.

Jojo

Dunnyveg, that's not a scientific argument. I think I should make something very clear to you - we're not disputing the fact that severe autism is different from aspergers. The issue is more about high functioning autism vs aspergers. This is important research because if aspergers is indeed a separate condition from autism, that might affect the kind of treatments offered to those with each respective condition.

visagrunt, I completely agree with your statement.

Jojobean, most aspies aren't that intelligent. Believe me.

As my non-verbal non toilet-trained LFA son climbs the ladder to the trampoline and pushes in front of the precociously verbal and smart Aspie of the same age who then explodes in rage and has a meltdown (apparently unnoticed by my son) I am inclined to wonder again what it is that sees them subject to the same grouping.

Dear Nostromo, Your reply was perfect. Could not be phrased better.
There are far too many differences between Autism and Asperger's for them to be lumped together, in my opinion, and any mis-categorization (did I make up a word?) hurts US, not the researchers, not the counsellors, not the shrinks. Makes it easier for the book editors and government funding gurus, but hurts us.

Sylkat

i also found a significant amount of differences between myself and other AS people i know, and the HFA's i know; although on the surface it looks the same, the internal reasoning is quite different.
take the avoidance of social interaction; for me and the AS's i know, the main reason for that is the fact that social interaction is difficult and mentally taxing, but for the HFA's, it's purely out of a lack of interest. (mind, this is only my own experience, not trying to offend anyone here)

For me I can make friends but it doesn't come easily. I've learned that I have to prove myself. With almost anything I do before I get anywhere with jobs, people etc..

That is very taxing in itself and has caused many nights of crying. You see people getting this handshake of approval with little effort. You try the effortless approach thinking maybe you just put too much effort and nope. Back to the front of the circus hoop line for you to jump through the hoops all over again.

For me, if I have friends, it's okay but I can equally have no friends and be okay too. I have learned however that the majority of people you meet want updates on your life, think it's rude if you don't keep in touch. I'm trying to change that because even though it doesn't bother me much if someone isn't talking to me or calling me, it does upset others. It has been a tough road learning you think differently and trying to figure out why other people are the way they are but I've also learned that the more I try to figure people out and then the light bulb comes on, the better I take it.

I'm also not that great at coordinating hang out events or coming up with ideas of what to do or where to go.