As vs HFA vs MFA vs LFA+?

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Ok Im going to make this post short. So with that being written what are the differences between AS,HFA, MFA, LFA, and the PDD-NOS spectrum?
I have been diagnosed with something along the lines of "pervisasive developmental disorder suspected Aspergers vs NOS". What does this mean?

I am not sure. It seem you either have the diagnostic criteria for Aspergers or you don't (PDD-NOS--which means someone is definitely on the spectrum but do not fulfill the requirements of either Aspergers or classic autism. You can't have both AS and PDD-NOS). Seems the psych should be able to figure it out?!....

HFA, MFA, LFA are not diagnostic terms, but descriptive ones. HFA includes everyone with Aspergers and PDD-NOS, and most verbal people with classic autism (it is important to note that HFA does NOT mean mild. All mild people are HFA, but not all HFA people are mild). LFA are the non-verbal classic autistic people that need constant support in everyday life. MFA is a term less used. I personally would classify it as someone who is partially verbal (or not) and needs more help than the most severe HFA, but still more independent than LFA.

PDD-NOS doesn't necessarily mean more "high functioning" than classic autism... its even more generic than that.

Yeah. PDD-NOS is just atypical autism. It's the category where they put everything that is definitely autism, but doesn't fit into a more specific type. You could be diagnosed with that for any number of reasons, and it can be anywhere from barely-diagnosable mild to extremely severe. It can be diagnosed in those who fall between categories (for example, symptoms identical to Asperger's but with a speech delay), those who have too few traits, those whose cases are complicated by other disabilities, those whose childhood histories are unavailable, those who fit the criteria for one diagnosis or the other but also fit one of the exclusion criteria (for example, Asperger's symptoms, but delay in adaptive skills).

PDD-NOS is the most common autism diagnosis, and would be even more common if doctors applied the criteria strictly. That it's so common says a lot about the failings of the current diagnostic system. It's like having a file cabinet where you keep your records--except more than half of the file cabinet is full of files labeled "Miscellaneous", "Other", and "To File Later", and even a lot of the ones that have definite labels are filled with misfiled records.

HFA/MFA/LFA have very little meaning. "High functioning" and "Low functioning" are stereotypes that doctors apply to their patients, often with the assumption that these people either don't need help (high-functioning) or aren't capable of much (low-functioning); I prefer to ignore these labels. If you're bent on describing functioning somehow, then GAF (a 1-100 number scale describing how well you are coping in your daily life; used as one of the axes on the current diagnostic system) is a much better indicator. As an example, a typical NT would score around 80; a person hospitalized after a suicide attempt would score twenty or less; a typical Aspie scores in the 40s-50s.

"Pervasive developmental disorder suspected Aspergers vs NOS" probably means that they are sure you are autistic, but aren't quite sure if you exactly fit the definition of Asperger's yet. If you do, you'll be labeled AS, if not, PDD-NOS. There's really not much benefit to figuring out exactly which one it is, because once you know you're on the spectrum, knowing whether you've got Asperger's or PDD-NOS doesn't tell you anything new. People on the autism spectrum are quite diverse--you can't really predict anything about what will help you most just based on which specific diagnosis you have. Your doctor is better off just looking at you as an individual, your skills and your particular challenges, and designing a plan based on that.

PDD-NOS tells nothing about you, it's a vague, widely unrecognized term. Look, people talk about "Asperger's" and "autism", but rarely about PDD-NOS. There are no forums or help sites on the internet for PDD-NOS, only AS and autism. Tell someone you are diagnosed with PDD-NOS and there's a high chance that they will look perplexed, even if they are diagnosed with AS or autism.

So, I'm quite happy PDD-NOS will be done away with in the new DSM.

I haven't heard about 'PDD-NOS spectrum' yet, but I think it refers to the high inconsistency of this vague label. People at all functioning ability levels are diagnosed with it, from the lowest functioning autistics to the highest functioning ones.

Your actual diagnosis "pervisasive developmental disorder suspected Aspergers vs NOS" may refer to the uncertainty of the evaluation your psych conducted. It means you appear to have AS but you don't quite fit the stereotype the psych has in his/her mind. I have spent a lot of time moaning at my actual diagnosis (PDD-NOS) and I suggest just move on. No two psychs have the exact same stereotype of AS in their mind. So, basically, making the differential diagnosis between AS and PDD-NOS is BS.

My next question(s) is/are(see below), is there an AS spectrum of severeties?

For instance I feel very odd with the Aspies I know in life. Out of what everyone has noticed with them(parents,special ed teachers, diagnosticians, etc), Im the only one who can start, hold, end a conversation, and even though they have a genius IQ, most of them cant do any subject without struggeling. Most of them cant drive, and have no interest in making friends. In fact at their houses they just sit and rock for the most part..... There are 2 Aspies that I know that are in school, OR have a job(with severe help).


Their parents for some reason want me to teach them things. I have gotten somewhat far. For instance one of them plays video games, and now Im using that to help him with senses.(I have a feeling that if they had sensory friendly things/accomodations, theyd be talking more ).

So with that being written, you can kind of see why I feel a bit odd around them. (I dont have a genius IQ, Im in school, I work, I have friends, and I have a few accomodations, I have sensory issues though.)

Is there really a spectrum of severity for those with AS? I thought that AS was considered to be high functioning autism(or at least a form of HFA)

Infact most of the time Im made fun of by those with AS, yet according to everyone else Im better at things theyre not Help someone please answer my questions, Id be greatful!

Not so much a "spectrum of severity", but certainly a lot of variation. AS can be anywhere from a minor annoyance to a severe disability. By definition, people with AS can talk and take care of their own basic needs, but some have such severe social or sensory problems, or struggle with meltdowns to the degree that they need 24/7 assistance. Most of the time, someone with AS is fairly independent; the average Aspie is probably employable, with accommodations and training, at least part time, and capable of living independently, though possibly with intermittent support. Unfortunately, many Aspies also have other disorders, such as PTSD, depression, and social anxiety disorders, and these can be more disabling than the Asperger's, and much more unpleasant.

A lot of variation in severity... a lot of variations in skills. The Aspies you know IRL seem to be having more trouble than you are, possibly because they have a more pronounced case of autism than you have; but that doesn't mean that your own issues are trivial. Sometimes it's just pure luck whether you get a skill set that's compatible with employment or school. Sometimes only very small differences in symptoms can make a huge difference in independence. For example, being able to fix your own meals... if you can't do it, you probably can't live on your own. And that's just one little skill.

I just hope their parents aren't trying to make you force them to "be like you" in some way. They aren't you; they're themselves. Teaching them things is cool; I just hope their parents understand that they need to accept their kids the way they are, instead of trying to squash them into some other shape. At any rate, your befriending them will give them socialization practice from someone who won't immediately reject them for being odd, and that's a benefit in and of itself.