Which one is more common? HFA or AS.

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I know “high-functioning” is a highly subjective term, but in this case I’m referring to people with autism and no accompanying intellectual disability.

I’m thinking the latter, since I’ve seen a lot more people on the internet and in real life refer to themselves by this label.

Aspergers is high functioning autism or level 1 autism. Meaning there was no significant speech development delay and not much support from others is needed.

Moderate functioning level 2 means there was speech development delay and a lot of support from others is needed.

Low functioning level 3 means virtually no speech development at all and completely dependent on support from others.

But it is possible for one's level to change right? Temple Grandin would have been a level 2 in childhood according to your post because of her speech delay, but she is most likely a level 1 now. And what if a person had a speech delay but doesn't need a lot of support?

Yep I went from level 3 to 2. So did another member here. Really probably just slow development rather say transforming.

You could have had a speech delay and still be classified as high functioning autistic as I understand it.

The easy answer is HFA as it includes numbers from classic autism and all aspergers.

But, dividing the groups by speech delay (classic) or no speech delay (aspergers) might change the answer. Then you have to determine the qualifiers for HFA, which is generally defined as IQ score of 70 or above in addition to having little to no need for additional support. Ultimately the line between high, medium and low seems specious though.