What's The Differences Between Autism, ASD And Aspergers?

[@someuser4166]

I like having AS and do not want to 'cure' it. It allows me to have and pursue my own interests and seek out knowledge rather than being forced to just waste time doing social stuff and being unproductive.

[@dustistreet5108]

I still prefer Aspie.

[@ExceptionalIndividuals]

Thanks Dusti, The term "Aspie" can be embraced by some individuals with Asperger's as a form of identity and community. However, like any term relating to personal identity, it can also be viewed differently by different people. Some may find it empowering, while others may find it reductive or stigmatizing. It's always best to use the terminology that the individual themselves prefers :)

[@dustistreet5108]

@@ExceptionalIndividuals That is why I only refer to myself as an Aspie and those who also prefer Aspie. I know some who still say they have Asperger’s but I don’t.

[@Matty272]

I just call myself “ass”.

[@cathrinethomsen8506]

I would like to see the video, but it is next to impossible because of the figures that move in the background. Meant as decoration but impossible to ignore.

[@ExceptionalIndividuals]

@cathrinethomsen8506 Thank you for your feedback. I'm sorry to hear that the background figures are distracting. We aim to make our videos accessible to everyone, and your input is invaluable. We'll take this into consideration for future videos and work on minimising distractions. In the meantime, we suggest trying our podcast version, if available, which might be easier to follow without the visual elements.

[@SDS-ee9js]

Very interesting webinar. So basically Asperger’s is the same as Autism accept that they don’t have the language and cognitive delays associated with “classic” autism and are often better at masking in social situations. Please correct me if I am wrong I have ADHD and sometimes I space out and misinterpret things lol. Also, what is different in the brain of someone with autism compared to the neurotypical population? For example, I’ve heard that people with ADHD have less dopamine and norepinephrine in their brains but I’ve never heard what makes the autistic brain different.

[@ExceptionalIndividuals]

I think you gave a perfect summary of it . To be honest. And you're right about ADHD and dopamine. For autism, check out our video the signs of autism which should be able to answer your question.

[@jonathanberry9502]

🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 00:03 🌐 *Introduction and Purpose of Exceptional Individuals* - Introduction by Nat about Exceptional Individuals and its mission. - The organization focuses on recruiting diverse talent and assisting those with neurodiversity in the workplace. 00:45 🧠 *Understanding Neurodiversity* - Explanation of neurodiversity as a spectrum of abilities, contrasting neurodivergent and neurotypical individuals. - Mention of conditions like dyslexia, dyspraxia, autism, and ADHD, highlighting differences in brain processing. 03:37 📜 *Historical Perspective on Autism and Asperger's* - Historical overview from Hans Asperger's 1944 description to Lorna Wing's studies in the 1980s. - Discussion on the shifting views and categorizations of autism and Asperger's over time. 05:41 📊 *Classification and Differences Between ASD and Asperger's* - Explanation of the outdated classification system involving pervasive developmental disorders and Asperger's as a milder form of autism. - Highlighting the similarities and differences between autism and Asperger's based on historical perspectives. 07:05 🧩 *Characteristics of Autism* - Detailed characteristics of autism, such as difficulty in processing sensory information, specific interests, repetitive behaviors, and challenges in communication and social settings. - Emphasis on the importance of a proper diagnostic assessment for identifying autism. 08:48 🎭 *Characteristics of Asperger's* - Highlighting specific characteristics of Asperger's, including challenges in verbal and non-verbal communication, maintaining social relationships, and displaying repetitive behaviors. - Discussing the overlap and similarities between autism and Asperger's, leading to discussions about diagnosis and identity. 11:09 🏺 *Special Interests and Collecting Behavior in Asperger's* - Exploration of hyper-focus and collecting behaviors commonly associated with Asperger's, such as collecting specific items or having intense interests. - Discussion on how these behaviors manifest and differentiate individuals with Asperger's from neurotypical individuals. 16:12 🎭 *Micro Expressions and Social Cues* - Explanation of challenges in interpreting micro-expressions and subtle social cues for individuals with autism and Asperger's. - Discussion on how these challenges impact social interactions and understanding emotions in others. 17:07 🌍 *Spectrum Perspective and Self-Identification* - Exploration of the concept of the autism spectrum and where individuals might identify themselves, considering the varying characteristics and experiences. - Discussion on self-identification, stigma, and personal preferences in using terms like autism or Asperger's. 18:33 🔄 *Fluidity in Terms and Personal Identity* - Addressing the fluidity and interchangeability of terms like autism and Asperger's and the personal choices individuals make in identifying with these terms. - Highlighting the importance of understanding individual experiences and perspectives in discussions about autism and Asperger's. 23:18 🧠 *Understanding IQ's Limitations in Assessing Autism* - The intelligence quotient (IQ) test is not a reliable measure for evaluating intelligence in individuals on the autistic spectrum. - The IQ test was originally designed for a neurotypical population, making it unsuitable for assessing those with different cognitive processes. - The way people on the autistic spectrum perceive and interpret information differs significantly from the majority, making traditional IQ tests ineffective for this population. 24:48 🖼️ *Perceptual Differences: Seeing Beyond the Norm* - Individuals with autism might perceive and interpret visual stimuli differently than neurotypical individuals, affecting how they communicate what they see. - The example of an image showing both a frog and a horse highlights the varied interpretations and perceptions that can exist. - Understanding these perceptual differences fosters empathy and recognizes that diverse interpretations are not necessarily incorrect but simply different. 26:21 📝 *Terminology: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) vs. Asperger's* - The official terminology has shifted towards using Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), but this does not negate or invalidate those who identify with Asperger's. - The term "Autism Spectrum Condition" (ASC) is gaining traction as a more positive alternative to "disorder," emphasizing characteristics over deficits. - The terminology debate reflects evolving societal understandings and perceptions of neurodiversity, with individuals having varied preferences based on personal resonance and identity. Made with HARPA AI

[@devotso]

where's your left arm?

[@turtleanton6539]

No differnce 😊😊

[@ExceptionalIndividuals]

While that is partly true, Asperger's syndrome used to be considered a separate diagnosis within autism, but now it falls under the broader umbrella of autism spectrum disorder. While the term "Asperger's" is no longer used, there are still differences in the presentation and severity of symptoms within the spectrum.

[@ButterflyonStone]

@@ExceptionalIndividuals Have you had a chance to look at the work of Sula Wolff? She provides a wonderful account of people who are unusual or 'loners' that were formally seen under the schizoid personality framework as they we neither neurotypical but were not quite the same as classic Autism either. Even going back to the work of Sukhareva, who also discussed the condition under a personality framework. Other frameworks I've seen are nonverbal learning disability (meaning disability were language is not impacted but social and other aspects are - uneven IQ profile with verbal IQ being significantly advanced - not dissimilar to Aspergers - were Autism has been indicated by some researches, including Kanner, to be the other way around with performance IQ being much higher instead). There is some discussion amongst researchers about whether or not we need to go back towards subtypes to account for the amount of heterogeneity and the lack of consistency in the neurobiological factors thought to contribute to its development. It's quite an attractive proposal as in some ways, I'd rather be considered to fully have the syndrome I actually have rather than a milder version of something else that may not be as neurobiologically similar as first assumed, but I'd worry about it splitting the community, causing diagnostic confusions etc.. The other consideration is social pragmatic communication disorder which some people prefer, and 'shakey assumptions here' may have been intended for PDD, aspergers and other 'atypical' autisms from the DSM IV.

[@turtleanton6539]

​@@ExceptionalIndividualsoh okay😊

[@JerkingOffJoker]

There is no real difference between the two.

[@ExceptionalIndividuals]

Actually, there are distinctions between autism and Asperger's syndrome. Asperger's was once considered a separate condition, characterized by challenges in social interactions and nonverbal communication, alongside restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior and interests. However, it often involved no significant delay in language or cognitive development, which can be a feature in other forms of autism. In 2013, the DSM-5 classification merged Asperger's under the umbrella term of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to reflect the nuances across the spectrum.

[@JerkingOffJoker]

@@ExceptionalIndividualsUsually aren’t the more severe forms of autism associated with genetic abnormalities?

[@ExceptionalIndividuals]

Yes, you are correct. In some cases, more severe forms of autism are associated with genetic abnormalities or mutations. Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder, and its causes can vary. While genetic factors can play a significant role in the development of autism, it's important to note that autism is a spectrum, and individuals with autism can have a wide range of abilities and challenges, regardless of the underlying genetic factors. Research into the genetics of autism is ongoing, and it's a complex and evolving field.

[@juliaevans9521]

Dismayed that, just in the first 10 minutes, I feel there are so many incorrect statements and assertions about Aspergers which I was happy to be diagnosed with in 2017.

[@ExceptionalIndividuals]

Hi Julia, can you give examples of where you feel are incorrect statements?

[@anubangia3179]

Less than 20% symptoms is aspergers, 20-60% HFA/atypical autism, more than 60% classic autism

[@ExceptionalIndividuals]

Thanks for outlining these percentages as a way to differentiate between Asperger's, HFA/atypical autism, and classic autism. It's important to note that these are not official diagnostic criteria but can serve as a general guideline for understanding the autism spectrum. Your input adds another layer to the complex discussion about autism classifications. 🧠

[@devotso]

explotation