AS or ASD??

[ogsplosh]

I have been told that they are not convinced R has Asperger's syndrome but rather ASD. They said it had something to do with how she developed as a child? she was late in talking and walking.

[warrenpenalver]

Extracts from the ICD10 clinical descriptions and guidelines:

 

Aspergers Syndrome

The disorder differs from autism primarily in that there is no general delay or retardation in language or in cognitive development.

 

Diagnosis is based on the combination of a lack of any clinically significant general delay in language or cognitive development plus, as with autism,

the presence of qualitative deficiencies in reciprocal social interaction and restricted, repetitive, stereotyped patterns of behaviour, interests, and

activities. There may or may not be problems in communication similar to those associated with autism, but significant language retardation would

rule out the diagnosis.

 

 

This is probably why they have said it rules out AS but says R is still on the Autistic Spectrum. R may well eventually recieve a diagnosis of Higher Functioning Autism.

 

Theres a few posts on HFA/AS on here and it seems the general medical opinion varies from area to area and the differences between the two are hotly debated in medical circles, but from what ive read in the few AS/autism books ive read it seems the professionals agree that the symptoms and behaviour in older people withAS and HFA are similar for diagnostic purposes but someone with HFA would have a "clinically significant general delay in language" where as aspergers would not.

 

Probably best to read up on about the whole spectrum as a whole.

[ogsplosh]

Thanks Warren. Think I better do some reaserch

[Tally]

Here is a thread on the same subject, which might answer your question.

 

It sounds like maybe ASD is the right diagnosis, given your daughter's speech delay.

 

A diagnosis of ASD can sometimes allow more access to support than Asperger's, so it could well be a good thing.

 

But learning about Asperger's and techniques that might help would be helpful, whatever the specific diagnosis turns out to be.