High Functioning Autism Versus Aspergers?

[Carnelian]

I'm near the end of my autism testing and on the 9th of October we're going in for a full profile/report/whatever from the multiple testing hours and sessions.

The lady said that it's quite possible that I'm a High Functioning Autistic. At first they said Aspergers.

But I'm wondering if that means I'm stupid or slower or more defective or something than if I had Aspergers like they originally said? Like, whenever I hear/see "Autistic" being portrayed they're people who can't speak or speak slowly and can't do things for themselves and live in residentials for the rest of their lives and etc. etc.

And I'm none of that. I have a higher-than-average IQ, am very verbally eloquent, and can take care of myself. I'm also able to become very good and efficient at tasks very quickly.

So, if I have High-Functioning Autism, does that mean that I'm more defective or broken or different or not as smart/etc. as someone with Aspergers?

I keep thinking about it and the idea that something is wrong with me is stewing in my brain and today my mom was watching a documentary about kids who grew up prodigies because they had donor sperm from geniuses and all the wonderful stuff they could do versus the one autistic kid the parents had and I'm like...I want to be smart and special and not dumb too. I don't want to be seen as "that kid who doesn't amount to much". I want to be seen as someone with the capibility for greatness. But if I have High-Functioning Autism, I feel like that must mean I don't have that, because as far as I know, Aspergers is the one where people are smarter/etc.

 

[Nitro]

First off,Asperger's is just another label for one of many manifestations of autism spectrum disorders. It doesn't grant you anything more than any other label attached to you. A high functioning autie can often do things above and beyond what is considered neurotypical. The label of high functioning autism vs Asperger's is a moot point in the big scheme of things. The most important part to remember is to embrace your strengths and attempt to overcome your weaknesses. Be true to yourself and strive to be the best you can be no matter what name they hand you.

I hope this helps you understand it more

 

[Carnelian]

First off,Asperger's is just another label for one of many manifestations of autism spectrum disorders. It doesn't grant you anything more than any other label attached to you. A high functioning autie can often do things above and beyond what is considered neurotypical. The label of high functioning autism vs Asperger's is a moot point in the big scheme of things. The most important part to remember is to embrace your strengths and attempt to overcome your weaknesses. Be true to yourself and strive to be the best you can be no matter what name they hand you.

I hope this helps you understand it more

Not really, but thanks...

I just think, like, if I'm defective like this, is there anything I can do that's good? Am I automatically destined to fail at everything? I want to be smart and creative and does this mean I can't? Does my brain just suck at working so I'll never be like other people?

IDK and I feel like I'm gonna cry because I want to be as good as everyone else.

 

[ChrisC1983]

as far as the 2 terms..... aspergers has basically just merged with "autism spectrum disorder", "high functioning autism" (HFA) has been part of a grading scale they used to use for people with the least amount of autism. "autism" is too often still related to a learning only disorder.. but things like HFA and aspergers is really more of a social interaction disorder. the only official difference between the two is HFA has a speech impediment and aspergers does not. so, if you stutter or have a verbal dyslexia Iie: you say outloud "i went to the park dog" when you meant to say "i went to the dog park"...)

as far as the rest of it goes, they can basically both be the same. there can be a learning disorder.. you can figure that part out yourself based on how well you know your classroom knowledge and such. but it doesn't specifically effect your intelligence. you can have any intelligence and IQ range from a lower IQ to a very high one. for example, today Einstein would certainly have aspergers or HFA (i don't know offhand about his verbal speech) and nobody really argues about his intelligence

the only thing you're really destined to do is, maybe, have a small group of friends and not enjoy big rave/parties as much as everybody else. but on the same hand, everybody else wouldn't like being alone and they would be very uncomfortable in a quiet place where they can focus on a hobby or topic they enjoy even if it's reading a book or watching a youtube video about model airplanes........ and quite frankly, if you can get over the social issues or find a job that doesn't require social skills... you could end up better off than many of the people you know because you may enjoy college and enjoy the right type of job, even if it is.. lets say.. wing design for an aeronautics company (again, if you're into planes)

 

[Nitro]

No single person on this planet is better than anyone else. Every human has something they are better at than others. I think you are being too hard on yourself. There are some things you may struggle at,but with time and persistence there is no reason why you can't overcome many hurdles. To give in because of a name is the first challenge I would recommend you overcome.

 

[Progster]

The difference between Asperger's and HFA just seems to be the age you start talking. Two people may have a very similar set of symptoms, IQ and functioning, but if one started talking at 4 and the other at 3 years old, the former will receive an HFA diagnosis, and the latter Asperger's. So if you get an HFA diagnosis, it's just because of your speech delay, not because you are less intelligent or capable or functioning. Whatever your diagnosis, you are still you with the same range of abilities and traits, the diagnosis doesn't change who you are.

 

[metalminx24]

In your original post you listed your skills and abilities, so you are clearly self-aware. Should they decide to give you a diagnosis of HFA it's not going to suddenly and magically render you "defective" and cause your IQ and eloquence to disappear. As Progster said, there's very little distinction between the two, and neither will affect your personality or capabilities or make you more/less smart. Using your brain and the effort you put in determine your success, a diagnosis doesn't make you 'destined to fail'. A weird analogy- if you tell a shark it's a camel, it doesn't mean that the shark loses the ability to swim!

 

[BIMOG]

I actually think that the OP may have been watching too much TV. Not everybody with Aspergers is a Sheldon Cooper or a Sherlock Holmes and likewise everybody who has classic autism doesn't sit in a corner bashing their head repeatedly against a wall. We are all just people and HFA, Aspergers and all the rest are simply labels, they don't change who you are inside. If you aspire to greatness then don't let the arrangement of letters on a diagnosis statement divert you from your course. You might also try considering the feelings of those on the spectrum who read these forums and who are classically autistic, as some of them might find the use of terms like "broken", "defective," "dumb" and "stupid" a little offensive, even if it was unintentionally so.

 

[plaidInBlue]

And I'm none of that. I have a higher-than-average IQ, am very verbally eloquent, and can take care of myself. I'm also able to become very good and efficient at tasks very quickly.

I don't want to give you false hopes, but, have you envisaged the possibility of twice exceptionality?

I keep thinking about it and the idea that something is wrong with me is stewing in my brain and today my mom was watching a documentary about kids who grew up prodigies because they had donor sperm from geniuses and all the wonderful stuff they could do versus the one autistic kid the parents had and I'm like...I want to be smart and special and not dumb too. I don't want to be seen as "that kid who doesn't amount to much". I want to be seen as someone with the capibility for greatness. But if I have High-Functioning Autism, I feel like that must mean I don't have that, because as far as I know, Aspergers is the one where people are smarter/etc.

Did they talk about Jacob Barnett in the documentary? Because he was diagnosed with classic autism if I remember, and he's a prodigy.

 

[clg114]

The way I understand it, the difference between HFA & Asperger's is that with HFA there can be a small amount of impairment in the cognitive and linguistic abilities. These impairments are not there with Asperger's. This is, by definition, the difference between Asperger's syndrome and classic autism. HFA is classic autism with very little impairment. This is according to the DSM-4. I do not know if either term is used in the DSM-5.

I think that Nitro has got the right idea. Do not worry about labels. You are going to be better at some things and worse at others. Play to your strengths and do your best. You will be just fine. It will also help a lot if you do not worry about it so much.

 

[Kari Suttle]

Aspergers syndrome is essentially the old name for high functioning autism. With the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 5 (aka DSM 5) they redefined all of autism's former subcategories under one umbrella - the autism spectrum. Formerly, you could be diagnosed with autism, aspergers syndrome, or one or two others i dont remember the name of. Now, for clarification since all the disorders pretty much had teh same symptoms anwyays, its been grouped into one umbrella category called the autism spectrum. With the DSM 4 you would have been diagnosed with aspergers syndrome, a form of autism, but now with the DSM 5 you will be diagnosed with high functioning autism. They're literally the same thing.

Note - the DSM is the official guide book that psychologists use to diagnose people. It lists all the known types of disorders, their symptoms, etc.

 

[clg114]

Not really, but thanks...

I just think, like, if I'm defective like this, is there anything I can do that's good? Am I automatically destined to fail at everything? I want to be smart and creative and does this mean I can't? Does my brain just suck at working so I'll never be like other people?

IDK and I feel like I'm gonna cry because I want to be as good as everyone else.

Sorry, but I just have to say this. Just because you are likely to be diagnosed with AS or HFA does NOT mean that your defective, broke, unworthy, disabled or less of a person than anyone else. I have been diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome and I can assure you, that while my brain works differently than "most people", I am just as capable as anyone else. That is why they seek me out.

You are as good as everyone else and probably better than a lot of them. Do not worry about everyone else, they are probably why you feel the way you do about yourself.

 

[Carnelian]

I'm sorry. I should never have made this thread. I see it was a bad idea and I've offended some people. I'm sorry. I won't post here again.

I'm just ruining everything these days.

I'm very sorry for offending people and being an idiot. I'm sorry. I don't deserve any type of support.

 

[clg114]

I'm sorry. I should never have made this thread. I see it was a bad idea and I've offended some people. I'm sorry. I won't post here again.

I'm just ruining everything these days.

I'm very sorry for offending people and being an idiot. I'm sorry. I don't deserve any type of support.

You have not offended anyone and you are not an idiot. You asked some questions and received some pretty good responds. Please know this. We are on your side. If we can help, we will. Most of us have been in your situation at some time in our lives and will help if we can.

 

[Jimbo]

Actually I think it was a great thread you started. Great advice from the folks above. I would add, don't get too caught up comparing yourself to others. I guarantee you there are some great things about you and you can discover what you are good at. You may fail at some things but don't give up. It took me 45 years to finally become content with who I am. You probably have a high IQ and are very intelligent. I always thought I was dumb because I sucked in school. Turns out I am up there with Einstein as I like to joke with my wife. I just don't learn the way schools teach.

Don't give up and spend your life down on yourself. Keep searching for the skills and qualities you do have that can make the world a better place. And most of all, don't compare yourself to others. Be you!

 

[tman]

Oh my goodness! Reading your posts, Carnelian, made me want to cry, to be honest. They reek of pain generated by self- loathing that no one should endure alone. Please continue to reach out to others, because being alone, and without support is ... Inhuman. We ALL need and deserve understanding and love. Ultimately, it matters not how someone else classifies or sees us, but it's critically important that we learn to accept and love ourselves, despite our flaws. And believe me, we are ALL flawed, in one way or t'other. That's what makes us human.

 

[Nitro]

No offense at all here...you are asking for help and are getting suggestions. That sounds like one in the win column from here.
Every one of us had questions about our conditions and we like to help those who ask if we can.

Knowledge is powerful stuff in times of need. Continue to ask and don't feel like you are imposing when you need support or answers

 

[Carnelian]

I'm sorry, guys. Now I have everyone all worried. I messed it up. I'm sorry. I'm just despairing a bit. It's not a big deal. I can handle it myself, I always do. I would delete this thread but I don't think that's an option. It's okay that I have Autism, it could always be worse; and I honestly shouldn't complain. I have enough people telling me there's nothing to complain about that I should believe it.

Thank you for all your kind responses. I'm sorry I created so much drama and I'm sorry I didn't consider the feelings of those who are on the spectrum like I stereotyped. That was an awful, selfish, unthoughtful thing for me to do and I should've known that before I posted.

I'm sorry for my offensiveness and for my words. Again, I'd delete this but IDK how.

If someone with a different form of Autism reads this and is offended they have every right to call me any bad thing they think of. I deserve it for not being sensitive to them. I'm sorry.

 

[Aspergirl4hire]

I'm sorry, guys. Now I have everyone all worried. I messed it up. I'm sorry. I'm just despairing a bit. It's not a big deal. I can handle it myself, I always do. I would delete this thread but I don't think that's an option. It's okay that I have Autism, it could always be worse; and I honestly shouldn't complain. I have enough people telling me there's nothing to complain about that I should believe it.

Thank you for all your kind responses. I'm sorry I created so much drama and I'm sorry I didn't consider the feelings of those who are on the spectrum like I stereotyped. That was an awful, selfish, unthoughtful thing for me to do and I should've known that before I posted.

I'm sorry for my offensiveness and for my words. Again, I'd delete this but IDK how.

If someone with a different form of Autism reads this and is offended they have every right to call me any bad thing they think of. I deserve it for not being sensitive to them. I'm sorry.

Carnelian, I am more concerned about your self-loathing than I am about anything else that might be true of you. Reread the thread: the only one condemning you is yourself.

I speak as one who intimately understands self-hatred.

Now quit apologizing. You're over quota for apologies you never owed, on wounds you never made. And I speak that as a mother who learned to love vulnerability from a child, after learning to fear calling attention to myself as a child.

 

[Carnelian]

Carnelian, I am more concerned about your self-loathing than I am about anything else that might be true of you. Reread the thread: the only one condemning you is yourself.

I speak as one who intimately understands self-hatred.

Now quit apologizing. You're over quota for apologies you never owed, on wounds you never made. And I speak that as a mother who learned to love vulnerability from a child, after learning to fear calling attention to myself as a child.

Okay. I'm just having a very hard time. Like, do you ever feel like something is completely and utterly WRONG and like coated with blackness? Like, it's five minutes until your wedding and a truck spills tar on your 8000+ dollar dress, your maid of honor is violently sick in the bathroom, your groom is late, and your priest is passed out from alcohol consumption and there is NO THING that can make it right but you still have an overwhelming desire to fix it.

That's me. All the time.