What Is The Difference Between Autism And Aspergers

About Autism Spectrum Disorder

Not all autistic children exhibit the same signs of autism or experience these signs to the same degree.

Thats why autism is considered to be on a spectrum. Theres a wide range of behaviors and experiences that are considered to fall under the umbrella of an autism diagnosis.

Heres a brief overview of behaviors that may cause someone to be diagnosed with autism:

• differences in processing sensory experiences, like touch or sound, from those who are considered neurotypical
• differences in learning styles and problem-solving approaches, like quickly learning complex or difficult topics but having difficulty mastering physical tasks or conversational turn-taking
• deep, sustained special interests in specific topics
• repetitive movements or behaviors , like flapping hands or rocking back and forth
• strong desire to maintain routines or establishing order, like following the same schedule each day or organizing personal belongings a certain way
• difficulty processing and producing verbal or nonverbal communication, like having trouble expressing thoughts in words or displaying emotions outwardly
• difficulty processing or participating in neurotypical social interactive contexts, like by greeting someone back whos greeted them

Difference No : Less Severe Symptoms In Aspergers

Some experts describe children and adults with Aspergers as having high-functioning autism. While this exact terminology is often debated, its true that those with Aspergers generally experience less severe symptoms than those with autism.

Because of this, people with Aspergers are often able to live independently and may be able to attend mainstream schools where they can excel academically. Conversely, many kids with autism will need specialized education and support, although this isnt always the case.

How To Deal With Autism Spectrum Disorders

Unfortunately, no specific prevention ways have been listed for autism spectrum disorder, but it is a treatable disease and with good treatment procedure, kids can improve their speech impurities as well as social skills. As to causes, there is no great difference between Aspergers and autism in line with treatment. The following 7 methods apply to both of them.

1. Learn About the Disorder

Knowing more about the situation in hand always helps. Learning about the misconceptions revolving around ASD and the truth can deepen your understanding about the troubles faced by your kid.

2. Try Behavior and Communication Therapies

Enrolling your kid in programs addressed to deal with autism spectrum disorders is the best thing. These programs specialize in behavioural and social skills development, teaching kids how to act in given set of situation thus preparing them for real life troubles. Here, the kid can learn how to communicate with different people.

3. Join Educational Therapies

Highly structured educational programs are always a win in the proper treatment of ASD as they provide planned activities for social, communication and speech skills in a school environment.

4. Use Family Therapies

Understanding your kid is the need of the hour, especially with kids suffering from ASD. Parents can learn how to intelligently play and associate with their kid so as to improve their lacking skill-sets in family therapies.

5. Take Medications

7. Seek Out Other Families of Children with ASD

Don’t Miss: Is Level 2 Autism High Functioning

Difference No : Iq May Be Higher Than Normal

While kids with autism typically have a below average IQ, those with Aspergers may have higher-than-normal intelligence.

Some children with Aspergers have a very advanced vocabulary and may become experts in memorizing facts about a specific subject. For instance, they may remember and recite specific sports statistics or facts about dinosaurs.

Some kids with Aspergers are described as gifted and having intellectual talents. They may perform exceptionally well academically, but this isnt always the case, as many also have behavioral problems that can hold them back.

Do Treatment Options Differ

This is important to remember. Those with either Aspergers or ASD do not need treatment for the differences in their behavior. In fact, simply being considered neurodivergent does not mean theres anything inherently wrong with you or your loved one.

The biggest thing you can do is accept you or your loved one for who they are, and then let them know that they are loved and supported for who they truly are.

Its also important to seek help if you need it, especially if youre now helping a child navigate the world on their own. Some facilities can carry out observations of your child to let you know what specific behaviors theyre exhibiting and then move forward with you from there.

No matter the reports, recommendations, or questions you may have or receive, your child has to come first in this process. Though some may argue that helping them learn to regulate their emotions in a way that fits their brain is a medical treatment, its not.

Youre helping your child recognize their strengths. Youre also teaching them how to overcome their weaknesses. How this looks is going to differ from child to child just like raising a neurotypical child or children would and there are specialists out there that can help. You can both learn to navigate life in a way that doesnt diminish you or your childs existence.

Also Check: Best Dog For Autistic Child

Research On Brain Function

Neuroimaging research may shed some light on how the brains of people with SAD and ASD differ. Studies of brain function show that for most people, the amygdalathe emotion center of the brainis activated when understanding facial expressions. For those with ASD, the prefrontal cortexthe center for judgment and planningbecomes active when processing facial images.

This means that people with ASD try to logically figure out the meaning of a facial expression rather than experiencing an automatic emotional reaction. Studies have also shown heightened sensitivity of the amygdala in those with SAD this makes it even more clear that the two disorders are very different.

The Difference Between Autism And Aspergers

Aspergers and high-functioning autism tend to be misunderstood due to the fact that they are both on the autism spectrum. Aspergers syndrome is one of the two main forms of autism. There are similarities between the two, which makes it confusing at times to distinguish one from the other. Though there are similarities, there are key differences that distinguish high-level autism from aspergers syndrome. When reading this blog, it is important that only a few similarities and differences are highlighted. Autism and aspergers are complex and research still shows new results.

Don’t Miss: What Are Good Toys For Autistic Toddlers

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

People with ADHD typically have difficulty paying attention to whats going on around them, they are easily distracted, they tend to do things without thinking about the results, they are often forgetful, have trouble finishing what they intended to do, are disorganized, jump from one activity to another, are restless and have poor social skills.

Many of these symptoms overlap with those of Aspergers. Research has shown growing evidence for a connection between Aspergers and ADHD. Genetic studies suggest the two disorders share genetic risk factors, and studies of the incidence and distribution of both conditions confirm that many people with Aspergers have symptoms of ADHD and vice versa. Brain imaging and studies of the brain structure show similarities between the two disorders.

Having said that, there are important differences between the two. People with ADHD often try to do multiple activities at the same time. They get distracted easily and jump from one interest or activity to another. Focusing on one thing for a long time is hard for them. On the other hand, people with Aspergers tend to focus on only one activity at a time, and they focus on that activity intensely with little regard for anything else going on around them. They are hyper-focused rather than unfocused.

Read Also: Does Gestational Diabetes Cause Autism

Treatment For Children With Autism

Learning about the difference between autism and Aspergers is helpful, but taking action is even more important. At Therapeutic Pathways, we encourage parents to seek treatment for their child as early as possible. Research suggests that early intervention provides the best opportunity for children to learn valuable independent life skills.

For more information about treatment options, contact Therapeutic Pathways at 422-3280.

Also Check: Dylan Chills Autism

Differences Between Asperger And Autism

Although it is hard to test IQ scores of children with ASD because of the nature of the disorder lately it is known that they have average or above average intelligence scores.

Those with Aspergers, on the other hand, predominantly score on par with or higher than their peers. Frequently they have superior IQ scores.

Generally, people with Asperger do not suffer from the speech impairments or inabilities that often characterize those with an autism spectrum disorder.

While there may be difficulty in understanding the subtitles of speech , people with Aspergers possess the ability to speak and annunciate clearly.

In addition, autism spectrum disorders are usually spotted in children before they reach school-age.

This is because the symptoms present much earlier than those of Aspergers.

Because Asperger affects sociality and communication, it easily goes undetected until an affected child encounters difficulties in school.

The Bottom Line: Both Disorders Require Intervention

Sometimes, theres not an obvious difference between a child with Aspergers and one with autism. Signs and symptoms can overlap, and doctors may not make a distinction between the two disorders.

Because the newer diagnostic criteria lumps the conditions together, you may be told that your child has an autism spectrum disorder, instead of autism or Aspergers.

Also, every child with an autism spectrum disorder is different. He or she may not have the same symptoms as another child.

Your doctor can help you determine specific traits that may further categorize your child. But, for the most part, kids with Aspergers syndrome and autism face similar challenges and benefit from similar treatment approaches.

The takeaway for parents is to tell your doctor if you notice the signs of Aspergers or autism. Both disorders benefit from early intervention. The sooner you can spot and treat an autism spectrum disorder, the better your chances for a good outcome.

Also Check: What Region Does Nick Eh 30 Play On

Asperger Syndrome Generally Involves:

• Difficulty with the give and take of conversation
• Difficulty with nonverbal conversation skills
• Uncoordinated movements, or clumsiness
• Anxiety and depression

The tendencies described above vary widely among people. Many learn to overcome their challenges by building on strengths.

Though the diagnosis of Asperger syndrome is no longer used, many previously diagnosed people still identify strongly and positively with being an Aspie.

Dont Miss: How To Tell If My Baby Is Autistic

How Is Aspergers Syndrome Diagnosed

As mentioned above, Aspergers Syndrome is no longer diagnosed as a condition in and of itself. It is part of the range of conditions included in Autism Spectrum Disorder.

If a parent is concerned about a childs social development, unusual language patterns, and odd behaviors, a pediatrician should be consulted. The pediatrician can determine if the child should be seen by a specialist, such as a developmental pediatrician, psychologist, or other clinician who is familiar with ASD.

Testing and assessment usually involve a team of medical and psychological professionals. The specialists will ask the parent many questions about the childs development and current skills and problems. They will also interact with the child and conduct assessments to evaluate what symptoms the child shows when interacting with others. They may also assess the childs language and intellectual abilities. A medical doctor might ask questions or order tests to make sure there are no other medical concerns for the child.

Aspergers Syndrome may be difficult to diagnose. Sometimes this condition can be confused with other conditions such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder , Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or Oppositional Defiant Disorder . Making sure to evaluate the childs social and communication skills, their patterns of behavior and thinking, and how these symptoms have developed over time will help the assessor provide the correct diagnosis.

Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders

Also Check: Freddie Highmore Is He Autistic

Behavior And Communication Approaches

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that autistic children benefit from approaches that provide:

• structure

Some specific approaches that autistic people may find helpful include:

Applied behavior analysis

This is a form of support for autistic children that encourages helpful behaviors while discouraging unhelpful ones. There are many types, such as:

• Positive behavior and support: This aims to identify the reason for a childs particular problematic behavior and looks for ways to make a more appropriate behavior appealing to the child.
• Pivotal response training: This aims to increase a childs motivation to learn or communicate.
• Early intensive behavioral intervention: This aims to help very young autistic children develop positive behaviors and prevent them from developing negative ones.
• Discrete trial teaching: This aims to teach desired behaviors in a controlled, step-by-step manner using positive feedback for encouragement.

Assistive technology

Autistic people can have trouble communicating, and some cannot communicate verbally. Assistive technology can help a person interact with others.One example is a communication board, a board with pictures or words on it that an autistic person can point to. Electronic devices, such as tablets, can have software installed that is designed to help autistic people express themselves.

Occupational therapy

This can help an autistic person live as independently as possible. It may provide guidance about how to:

Articles On Autism Types

• Parenting a Child With Autism Spectrum Disorder

When you meet someone who has Aspergers syndrome, you might notice two things right off. Theyre just as smart as other folks, but they have more trouble with social skills. They also tend to have an obsessive focus on one topic or perform the same behaviors again and again.

Doctors used to think of Aspergers as a separate condition. But in 2013, the newest edition of the standard book that mental health experts use, called The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , changed how its classified.

Today, Aspergers syndrome is technically no longer a diagnosis on its own. It is now part of a broader category called autism spectrum disorder . This group of related disorders shares some symptoms. Even so, lots of people still use the term Aspergers.

The condition is what doctors call a high-functioning type of ASD. This means the symptoms are less severe than other kinds of autism spectrum disorders.

The DSM-5 also includes a new diagnosis, called social pragmatic communication disorder, which has some symptoms that overlap with Aspergers. Doctors use it to describe people who have trouble talking and writing, but have normal intelligence.

Recommended Reading: Ian Ritch Girlfriend

The Benefits Of An Asperger Syndrome Diagnosis

How Do Sad And Asd Differ

If you have SAD, anxiety is the driving force behind the difficulties that you experience in social and performance situations. Your ability to function is limited by your anxiety in those circumstances.

A diagnosis of ASD does not require the presence of anxiety. Behavior in social situations is instead impaired because of trouble reading and understanding social and emotional cues.

People with ASD may:

• Be unable to take hints or understand humor
• Have trouble understanding the meaning of gestures, tone of voice, and facial expressions
• Stand too close
• Talk too loudly

These characteristics are opposite of those displayed by the socially anxious if you have SAD, your fear of embarrassment or humiliation most likely manifests in ways like:

• Being overly sensitive to the body language of others
• Speaking too softly
• Standing too far away

Those with SAD are capable of forming relationships but are impaired by anxiety on the other hand, people with ASD have difficulty with the nuts and bolts of communication that make relationships possible.

Don’t Miss: High Functioning Autism Vs Low Functioning

Origins Of Autism And Aspergers

Autism was first described by Leo Kanner in 1943 when he studied 11 children who seemed to relate better to objects than people.

Kanner said if these children eventually developed language skills, it was likely to be characterised by echolalia , pronoun reversal , and concreteness.

One year after Kanner defined autism, Hans Asperger published a description of children with the condition autistic psychopathology.

Asperger described a child who was precocious in learning to talk and often talked in a pedantic way about a topic of particular, circumscribed interest.

Asperger also observed that these children produced stilted and repetitive speech, which appeared to lack intonation. He noted that they were interested in social relationships, but lacked the ability to understand the rules of social behaviour.

Asperger noted that his group of patients moved in a clumsy way.

Despite the many similarities between Kanners and Aspergers patient groups, Asperger disagreed that his disorder was a variant of Kanners autism.

Comparison Table Between Aspergers And Autism

Also Check: What Is The Difference Between Sensory Processing Disorder And Autism

Differences In Social Interaction