What's the difference, if any?

[JackJacksmummy]

Between aspergers and high functioning autism?

As far as I understand it, children with no speech delay before age 3 get the Aspergers dx and those with a speech delay get HFA.

Having said that it all changes in 2013 when the asperger Dx will no longer be given.

the dx's will be ASD and then 3 levels

whether there was significant language delay at age 3.

It's to do with whether they had language at age 3.

It sometimes includes IQ.

Most usually, it is diagnosticians preference however. Sometimes parental preference.

Nothing really, they tend to diagnose Asperger's if there was no speech delay and high functioning autism of there was one...but that's all changing anyway soon anyway.

How do you all know this?? Can you link to what will be changing and when?

The AS HFA thing

The changes about diagnosing

Thank you. Reason I ask is because the paed we saw today briefly mentioned HFA but didn't commit to it because it's not him that makes the final decision. I know DS is not AS and his speech was definitely delayed and still has speech issues now at 6. So HFA would "fit" as he is also not severe but I suspect has other issues - dyslexia for definite but they won't test for a while yet.

Thank you, now off to google those links.

Ds's assessment states that he has 'High Functioning Autism consistent with Asperger Syndrome', so in that context there's no difference. I think, as Star suggests, it's down to professional preference a lot of the time.