Autism vs Aspergers (What YOU NEED To Know)

Here is the difference between autism and aspergers is there any?

Having a diagnosis of asperger syndrome, lots of people ask me if aspergers is part of the autism spectrum.

I did a video all about aspergers symptoms and a video about Hans asperger, but not an updated vide on if aspergers syndrome is the same as autism and the difference between aspergers and autism.

So here is my video on autism vs asperger's.

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Comment “I am autistic!” so I can notice you! #autism #autismstrong #autismadvocate

[castlering]

I'm Autistic. I despise functioning labels as they're used to minimise our experiences. When I'm driving my car, I'm high functioning, yet when non verbal or in meltdown I'm low functioning - can't be both! Autistic covers all bases. Aspergers likewise has a perception that's misleading. The spectrum isn't linear. It's more like settings on a sound desk - us Autistics have individual settings. For instance I really struggle in loud environments, whereas my husband doesn't. We're all individuals.

I totally respect the individual right to self-identify, but personally I really do not like Aspergers, 'levels' or functioning labels.

[Cheryl_Frazier]

I was recently diagnosed with Level 1 Autism, or "Autism Without Intellectual Disability."

I find myself telling people I have Aspergers because it's more well known and accepted (although misunderstood).

However, using the term "Aspergers" doesn't relay to most people the challenges I face every day.

I'm still figuring it out.

[AndreaHausberg-ytqx]

You nailed it, people have an idea of what Aspergers is and don't start questioning your autism because 'you don't seem autistic". Me myself also only identify as Asperger's. That's what I feel like. Also can't put myself into the group with really severe needs.

[mwilliams]

Youngest grandson was diagnosed autistic, after doing some research, watching videos, including yours, I believe I am too, certainly make some things make sense now at 65, keep up the great work

[michele]

Yes, I want Asperger’s back because the “stereotype” matches my presentation better.

[Undel_]

I came up with ASPIE = Autism Spectrum Presenting Individual Experiences

[happyhovsehomestead]

I feel like it should be called the Autism Frequency. We operate on a different wavelength within. A spectrum.

[beautybeagles]

Personally I prefer Autism as if you use Aspergers people assume you don't need support or at least minimal support. But as it is a spectrum and every ASD individual struggles with different aspects of it, where do you draw the line between ASD and Aspergers, what if you only just fall into Aspergers rather than ASD? You then have to explain why you need extra support etc. Also a lot of people that are classed as 'high functioning' ie Aspergers are actually just really good at masking. High functioning essentially means 'better able to not appear autistic', it doesn't mean they struggle any less with sensory issues or social anxiety. Personally I would prefer that we are all ASD diagnosed then thise with more severe needs are referred to by their Co-diagnosis such as ASD and Developmental Delay or Non Verbal ASD and so on.

[Flopsi]

The description of Aspergers fits me perfectly.

[kellystukey]

My son has a diagnosis of high functioning ASD, and people (at least here in KS, USA) frequently act like I’m one of “those moms” who just chased a diagnosis. However, when I mention that he has what would have been diagnosed as Asperger’s, the response is usually that they can see it. Doesn’t bother me at all to use Asperger’s, and we just don’t make a big deal of it to him. 🤷🏻‍♀️ thanks for making these videos! I just stumbled across your channel, and am so thankful for what you are doing!

[PC_Ringo]

I think the main thing is with using the Aspergers is that its broad use/acceptance by the general populous leads to incorrect assumptions about individuals, for even Aspergers is a spectrum as well and people previously diagnosed with Aspergers would also have varying support needs, sensitivities etc. I take the point about service eligibility as perhaps being a reason why Aspergers was brought within the autism spectrum, i.e. to allow more people access to support services, etc. However, I feel you've associated people previously diagnosed with Aspergers as all being able to hold down a job, a girlfriend, etc. but not all people with Aspergers could indeed do these things. So the notion that the term Aspergers may make things easier for say neurotypical people to understand via the use of a label is a fallacy. Notwithstanding, the use of autistic or ASD does not necessarily do this either. People previously diagnosed with Aspergers would still need to justify themselves, and make accommodations within themselves to fit into society’s expectations – hence masking. So, I feel the push for people to be generally accepting of autism existing on a spectrum is justified in the sense that not all autistic people are the same, and all autistic people (including those previously diagnosed with Aspergers, High Functioning Autism, Low Functioning Autism, Classical Autism, etc) experience their autism differently and therefore have different needs. I don’t think this unreasonable, and is congruent with the notion that not all neurotypical people are the same and neurotypical people have different needs as well (it is just logical). It therefore stands to reason to consider people by neurotype rather discrete labels which fail at adeqautely categorising anything and only serve to confuse matters.

[AuraDawn_Health]

I liked the term "Aspie". I don't like the "disorder" word, but I thought that was just me lol.

[CtDDtC]

Like a lot of the people in the comments section, I find that not only do I find the term "Asperger's" fits my specific symptomology best, but it also makes it easier for the general public to grasp. For many years, I would just (when necessary) explain that I was "On the spectrum". I found there is a lot of ignorance and misinformation regarding that definition. The most common was "Oh, we're ALL on the spectrum somewhere." (ARRGH!)
A few years ago I was sharing my frustration with my best friend. He happens to be Black, and what he said made SUCH an impact on me. After I finished explaining my frustration of the "We're ALL on the spectrum..." replies, he sat and thought for a moment then said to me "It sounds to me like they are confusing quirks with information processing disorder." I asked him to explain. He replied "OK... that would be like me sharing my experience as a black man with a non-black person, and having them reply with "Oh, we're ALL a little bit black. I have really good rhythm, and Steve over there.. he's really good at basket ball.", so yeah besides being incredibly insulting, even if they don't mean to be, it is definitely gaslighting. They are picking out individual quirks and not recognizing there is an underlying information processing disorder that "ALL" people do NOT have. Just like having a few attributes or quirks that are stereotypical traits of a given demographic does not make you a member of that demographic."
Anyway, this one conversation was the point at which I started to change how I described my neurology to those who I felt needed to know. I've come to find that the vast majority are more able to accept and understand the term "Asperger's" than they are "Autism Spectrum Disorder".

[ellisd]

I use the Aspergers word. But since I mask quite well, people, including family, think I'm either worthless (because of long term issues with jobs and relationships) or damaged.
I've never received support for the difficulties I've had in life. No formal diagnosis.

[juliablair]

Thank you for the history explanation. My Dad, 86 years old, just moved in with me and I am desperately trying to learn how to develop a healthy, happy relationship with him. My Mom divorced him 30 years ago and has always said he has Aspergers. Of his 9 remaining living children, I am the only one who would take him in. He has always been, as you put it, “weird” and socially awkward, alienating most people. Thank you for you videos as I try to navigate this new life. I want to treat him with kindness and dignity without feeling like I’m losing my mind.

[carrie]

The issue with dividing the diagnosis is that it makes assumptions that those with level 1, Aspergers, autism without a learning disability (however you want to define it) don’t need as such support and that they’re more capable than others. As we all know, our needs vary daily and according to task. Just because I’m high functioning on one area doesn’t mean I’m high functioning in all areas.

[paulvarga]

I prefer using Asperger's to describe myself sometimes I'll say "I have mild autism what they used to call Asperger's"

[bealltho]

I was diagnosed with Asperger's. At the time it was a separate diagnosis from autism. The DSM might have merged autism and Asperger's but to me they'll always be separate.

[jedimasterham]

For most of us who grew up in the 80's and 90's, ASD/Aspergers was way less recognized, and it would have been helpful to have a more specialized learning environment than the 'one size fits all' environment present in both private and public schools.

Fortunately, diagnosis in the US can be fairly quick, although you will have to pay $1, 500-$3, 500 to get a psychologist to evaluate you.

[crystalratclffe]

I was late diagnosed. My daughter was diagnosed at 19, also Asperger. My grandfather was classic Asperger. In fact when my grandson was with Alta Regional in Sacramento with ASD 3 needing maximum support, they would ask "don't you think this behavior odd?" And our confused response was "No, the whole family does it".

I like the Aspie community, the support, the identification it gives us. ID as an Aspie, people don't expect me needing high ADL needs, but supports in other ways.