Why do most people here think that AS and autism

Post Reply New Topic

Here's another on differences between AS and HFA [this time] with various sources (the usual suspects are here):

That second quote seems like it can apply to Aspies too.

So basically you're saying that the differentiation between autism and AS is an artifact of the time when they thought that autism was a psychotic disorder and Asperger's was a personality trait? Hmm.

BTW, I have asperger's and am lower functioning than many classic auties, including one of my personal acquaintance... (Functioning here is defined as "independence level" rather than the strength of my autistic traits, which also seem about equal to the average of people labeled "HFA".) And I've met Aspies who aren't doing as much as I am. It's always seemed a bit funny to me that you should divide the spectrum on the basis of some early speech hangups; I know that it was defined as a childhood disorder, but it's about time they quit with that--we all know it's life-long. It's also about time they got it through their thick heads that autistic people LEARN... and CHANGE... *sigh*

I personally find it fascinating that they are different "shades" of the same thing. It's really interesting how you can have some low-functioning person who lacks the ability to cope with society and at the same time some brilliant aspergian on the same spectrum. There is such a depth of diversity.

I guess I don't think they're the same thing, but it's hard to make that distinction when I'm confused as to where I fall between the two.

I think of the whole state of being in the world as kind of like a complex sound mixer with a whole lot of slide switches for various traits. A person's neuropsychological traits vary all over the place and can change with time. There isn't some standard setting even for a "NT". It's all a range, with part of the range defined as typical or normal. It sometimes seems arbitrary to me.

Its a spectrum but AS and autism do share some traits.

I think people have to realize that even in catergories like LFA, MFA, HFA theres different types also. Like for instance you can meet a low functioning autistic who can at least work in fast food, knows some words, maybe have a minimum conversation, but also meet a low functioning autistic who can't even work at fast food, who is completely nonverbal. I think the functioning level shouldnt be always catergorized by IQs either, I met a woman who had the IQ of 70, and is a mother, and works 2 part time jobs, and can drive short distances. Now those 3 right there wouldn't classify her as Low functioning. My boyfriend said he could point out aspies and auties, the differences, i was like sure you could, we were watching autism musical on hbo, he points that the one kids is probably classic autistic?... wrong, the boy had aspergers. He pointed out the kids seemed to be the one who didnt listen, who seemed off in his own world, very jumpy had to be moving a lot. I think his name was henry, not entirely sure on that, but all the kid talked about was dinosaurs like crazy, all conversations turned into dinosaurs, he was too physical with some kids. It just goes to show you that you can't tell a functioning level by a label or diagnosis and you can't tell a diagnosis from what people say or what you've seen. Its like the whole saying goes "you met ONE autistic, therefore you met ONE autistic!" Everybody i know says pddnos is the most mild of all autism, i met a couple kids with pddnos who seem very profoundly autisitc. I remember one guy telling me about heather, the model, from mtv and how she can do anything, that aspergers wasn't a disability, she just seemed so socially awkward, but thats about it. I just looked at him and said, thats ONE person with aspergers, ONE.

So its like automatically pddnos = most mild, aspergers = very mild compared to classic autism, and autism = severe/low functioning. Which is wrong, because within each diagnosis there is a low functioning and high functioning side to each. The reason i have classic autism is because the need for strict routine, my language skills are on the poor side, i dont have any special interests in fact i obsess more over my sensory related issues then anything, my lack of self help skills that leave me unable to do much that i need assistance with a lot, and my social skills are sometimes very aloof, and unconventional. Now that doesnt mean, people with aspergers are better at socializing that always isnt true, or that people with aspergers dont need assistance thats also not true, thats why its called a spectrum within a spectrum. Aspergers is a spectrum, pddnos is a spectrum, autism is a spectrum, all of which is affected by autism some way or form, and all of which has their own different functioning levels, the only thing that divides most of is maybe 2 or 3 things like one big thing is language. Thats my take on all of it!

_________________
Being Normal Is Vastly Overrated

I don't know much about this particular issue because I haven't read up on it in depth, but I do know that diagnosticians play fast and loose with the categories. The psychiatrist who diagnosed me called it Aspergers because she said there is less stigma associated with that label. Many other psychiatrists do the same thing. On the other hand, diagnosticians often choose the more severe-sounding label when it will help the person access services better. So you have to be careful with the labels. I would have preferred HFA to Aspergers, personally.

Also, what I find happening is that the stereotyping of Aspergers is getting to the point where it may actually make things worse for me if it's applied to me. I'm not sure how accurate it is in the first place, or relevant, for that matter, and I wish people would just throw it out and pay attention to the deficits that matter.

If they collapse AS and HFA into one category I will be very happy. I think having AS as a separate category gets people focussed on the wrong variables, even if AS and HFA are distinct populations. Who cares if you have a weird personality, or weird interactions? All that matters is if you can live the life you want to live, and I don't see research focussing on that, or on research that will help with that.

(Sorry if this has been said already)

With regards to thinking WrongPlanet is for the whole spectrum, not just apsies, maybe that's because that's what the website says?

Well some people don't know what AS is so it's easier to say "mild autism".

Havent seen anybody saying its the same thing. but that its part of a spectrum say to me that all people from that spectrum should be welcome.

Autism is the umbrella term. Asperger Syndrome is under the umbrella, as is low-function autism, and high-function autism, etc. It's all autism. Even though they can all be different, they are all under the term of Autism.

I say I have HFA usually, as AS is harder to explain and means I have to talk a lot to someone! I also feel more comfortable saying it, as I have more sensory sensitivities to those who have AS (supposably), though I didn't have the speech delay.

I think it's obvious with some AS people that they are not "Autistic" and vice versa. But being a spectrum, there are many who are sort of between the two classifications. On some days they may be more Aspie, other days, more Autie. Or they may have some symptoms of one and some of the other, they may have more Autistic traits than are usually present in AS but might have some social or verbal wavelengths that usually are only present in those closer to NT on the spectrum.

It's a bit like saying you're not deaf, but you have impaired hearing. Or that you're not bald, you're balding!