So what are the differences between HFA and AS and has DS1 got either?

[bunnyrabbit]

Very hazy on DX. Assessment was in Jan with a DX of Social Communication Disorder. DS1 is on the spectrum but at the more able end (still not sure what that means).

He has no LDs and is advanced verbally and very bright (OTs words), immature writing/drawing (although gettting better now he can be bothered), but hasn't shown himself to be a genius at anything just yet (LOL).

He has some Hypermobility which will be assessed in June and a lack of core strength.

So what I'm asking is what are the differences between High Functionaing Autism and Aspergers and does this sound like either?

BR

Only real difference between HFA and AS in a child with anything like a normal range of intelligence is whether he spoke at a fairly normal age or not. If so, it's AS. If not, it's HFA. But they are the same thing after that point anyway, which is weird but true. The experts aren't too sure why they bothered having the two different diagnoses now, so they're rethinking it.

We're bloomin' awful sleepers, normally.

Sleep, for most people, is when your brain's 'central filing clerk' starts sorting through all the day's events and working out what it all meant. "Why did Fred do that? What does it mean when Sue says this? How do I need to do things differently?" Then there's all the social-related dreaming etc.

We don't have a central filing clerk in our brains, so there's less for our brains to do at night. Our brains don't bother thinking about the social 'why's or working out how to use our common sense in a better way. So we wake up, wanting some input instead. Or we wake up because the tiny, tiny imperfections in the bedsheets or our nightwear feel like sandpaper.

Have you tried a weighted blanket? Well worth it for children that don't sleep well and who may well have ASDs. If the room is very dark, worth trying a nightlight. We might sleep better with a bit of light in there - preferably one that doesn't cast scary shadows.

Have they said how long it might take?