Differnce between aspergers and HFA ??

[Heytheredelilah1987]

Hi all,
So we are currently undergoing diagnosis for our son who is 22 months. We are yet to see the paediatrician but luckily have a consultant clinical psychologist in the family who has basically screened and observed him several times and concluded highly likely he has ASD.

When she last visited she did say he was showing behaviours that made her question that opinion though. Such as him being able to follow a request of fetching his bottle that's in another room. He understand that request and will often do it.... many times he won't thiugh!

However despite saying that she did go on to say she's still 90% sure it's autism due to lots of other things he does that suggest autism (the usual : stims , tip toes walking, gazes into thin air for ages like he's zoning out, speech regression, severe violent meltdowns.... )

I asked if it could possibly be aspergers but she's said it's more likely autism as he has no real Interest in interaction with others- he never really seeks it, very occasionally he will share something with me in a book he's looking at or something but generally he's happier playing solitary.

So my question is what other differences are there if any between HFA and aspergers ?? Does anyone here have/ had a toddler with HFA who's outgrowing many of their traits? I've always thought aspergers was more functioning of the two but according to her it is not... people with aspergers can present many difficulties like those with asd. I suppose I'm just curious to hear from those of you who have kids with HFA/ aspergers and what they were / are like at around toddler years ? TIA. :)

I'm sorry for waffling on.

[AliceInUnderpants]

As far as I am aware, there is no current diagnosis of Aspergers. It all falls under the title of ASD now.

IIRC, the main distinction between the two was that one contained an element of language delay?

[w4nnabesahm]

I asked if it could possibly be aspergers. ..

you do realise that Asperges is a form if autism. There have been changes as to how Asd is diagnosed and these days, all falls under 'autism', there isn't an Asperger's dx anymore.

In the days of Asperger's dx, the difference between HFA and Asperger's was, as far as I know, speech and language development. Where's a somebody on the high functioning end if the spectrum would get a dx of HFA is there was speech delay and if there wasn't, then the dx was Asperger's.

I've always thought aspergers was more functioning of the two but according to her it is not

no, it is not. Some with Asperger's live fairly normal lives (independent, job, family) but I know a few who have very high support needs. Having a high/normal IQ doesn't mean that things are necessarily fine.

also, if you have ASD, you don't outgrow it. it is. lifelong condition.

[Heytheredelilah1987]

Ah yes this is right Alice. I recall reading that sorry! However people still often talk about aspergers and add as seperate entities! But I guess a label doesn't really change anything anyway ?

My son has a speech delay and speech regression so I'm assuming autism ...

[Heytheredelilah1987]

W4anna - sorry for my ignorance I do hope I haven't caused you offence? Your post seemed a little hostile / angry? I'm afraid I am not an expert in this field- but I'm trying to educate myself as much as I can for my son.

[Heytheredelilah1987]

I know it's a lifelong condition however you often hear of young toddlers being dx and then yesterday later when they're ready evaluated they have seemingly out grown many traits ? Perhaps it's because they simply learn to mask them better?

Just to clarify I don't see asd as damaged goods or bad. I love my son for who he is and a label and dx won't change any of that.

[Heytheredelilah1987]

Eeek sorry for silly typos ! Damn predictive text !!!!

[w4nnabesahm]

sorry, OP. wasn't meant that way.

The early days per dx are hard. Could have been a bit kinder

[Heytheredelilah1987]

That's ok w4nna. I'm trying to educate myself as much as possible and be as politically correct in the process haha. My heads all over the place and perhaps I'm being a little ignorant ... I should have thought more before I wrote the original post

[Heytheredelilah1987]

Sorry I am aware aspergers is autism. I'll look at that link now. Thanks Polter

[lougle]

I think this is why ASD is so confusing for people. So the diagnostic criteria is the same for everyone:

"Autism Spectrum Disorder 299.00 (F84.0)

Diagnostic Criteria

A. Persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts, as manifested by the following, currently or by history (examples are illustrative, not exhaustive, see text):

1. Deficits in social-emotional reciprocity, ranging, for example, from abnormal social approach and failure of normal back-and-forth conversation; to reduced sharing of interests, emotions, or affect; to failure to initiate or respond to social interactions.
   

1. Deficits in nonverbal communicative behaviors used for social interaction, ranging, for example, from poorly integrated verbal and nonverbal communication; to abnormalities in eye contact and body language or deficits in understanding and use of gestures; to a total lack of facial expressions and nonverbal communication.
   

1. Deficits in developing, maintaining, and understanding relationships, ranging, for example, from difficulties adjusting behavior to suit various social contexts; to difficulties in sharing imaginative play or in making friends; to absence of interest in peers.
   

Specify current severity:

Severity is based on social communication impairments and restricted repetitive patterns of behavior (see Table 2).

B. Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities, as manifested by at least two of the following, currently or by history (examples are illustrative, not exhaustive; see text):

1. Stereotyped or repetitive motor movements, use of objects, or speech (e.g., simple motor stereotypies, lining up toys or flipping objects, echolalia, idiosyncratic phrases).
   

1. Insistence on sameness, inflexible adherence to routines, or ritualized patterns or verbal nonverbal behavior (e.g., extreme distress at small changes, difficulties with transitions, rigid thinking patterns, greeting rituals, need to take same route or eat food every day).
   

1. Highly restricted, fixated interests that are abnormal in intensity or focus (e.g, strong attachment to or preoccupation with unusual objects, excessively circumscribed or perseverative interest).
   

1. Hyper- or hyporeactivity to sensory input or unusual interests in sensory aspects of the environment (e.g., apparent indifference to pain/temperature, adverse response to specific sounds or textures, excessive smelling or touching of objects, visual fascination with lights or movement)."
   

But each individual will have a different profile. So one person could have mild difficulties in one area and severe difficulties in another, while the next could have severe difficulties in all areas, but they'd both have ASD.

Nobody would quibble if someone said 'my DD has cerebral palsy so has to use a walking frame' and someone else said 'my DD has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair'. It's similar to that really.

[Heytheredelilah1987]

Ah I see. Thanks for that Lougle. That's really helpful of you.

My son seems severe in some of those areas and less so in other - exactly as you suggest can be the case. Who knows what his dx will be... I struggle with the not knowing but ultimately so long as he's getting the best help available I'm going to be happy

[lougle]

I don't want to be unkind to your family member but I agree with zzzzz. Aspergers vs Autism is more like saying 'Royal Gala vs Braeburn' 'python vs cobra' - there are (were) differences in the clinical history i.e. 'did your child talk before the age of 3' or 'was there a language delay' but otherwise, that's it, pretty much.

In practical terms you could have a child with relatively low functioning ASD, who is quite happy in their own little existence, so doesn't mind sharing their space with strangers, is quite happy to go wherever you want to as long as s/he has his/her special toy/gadget/leaf/stone and will be contented with looking at anything that spins. So a generally very 'easy' child. You could then have a very high functioning child with ASD who can't cope with being in a room with people s/he doesn't know, needs to plan every detail of every trip to the nth degree before s/he'll be happy to go, can't cope if the venue has certain lighting/sound, then needs to completely unwind for hours after going.

[Heytheredelilah1987]

Ahhh ladies I meant to word it differently!! I know aspergers is autism - as does my family member. Sorry for the jumbled post. I may actually delete this - I wrote it very tired...

[quicklydecides]

No no you don't need to delete it. It's OK.
It's very complicated, for those who live it, for those who try to understand it and diagnose it.
Don't worry.
Tiredness is the worst.
I'm wrapped in a blanket trying hard to waken up, watching the clock because it's time to get them into their uniforms.
Maybe if I had another coffee...

[FrayedHem]

I think as children with Asperger's generally have no speech delay/a large vocabulary, in the toddler years it can mask the depth of social interaction difficulties, whereas a preschooler with a language delay makes it much more apparent.

[Heytheredelilah1987]

Ok ladies ... thanks. I feel such an incompetent fool.

[Heytheredelilah1987]

Anyway ... thanks for the enlightenment all the same. I just want to say my relative is a fantastic woman and a consultant who does know what's she's talking about. Perhaps I've interperated what she has said wrong. I'm sorry again if I've annoyed anyone or offended in anyway. It was not my intention. My only desire is to help my son.

[Geretrude]

Honestly Heythere - you haven't done or said anything wrong. Even people who work constantly with children with autism come out with sweeping generalisations ie I was at a talk the other day and the speaker said that all children with autism have violent meltdowns. Not true.

But that's her experience of autism and it is true for a lot of children with autism. But not all of them.

[Ekorre]

Yes this is one of the problems with ASD, that it is so variable (some people have opposite symptoms e.g. love hugs or hate hugs) and so many people think they know what they are talking about.

This book is good for a history of what and why different diagnosis have been introduced. A really interesting book but be aware there is some upsetting stuff about things that have happened to autistic people.

[Heytheredelilah1987]

Thanks ladies I appreciate your understanding. Feel slightly embarrassed still but it's all learning! :)

Ekorre I'll check that book out, thanks. I've purchased a couple of others off amazon.