Aspergers Characteristic is Different from High Spectrum Autism

Due to their similarities, an Aspergers characteristic is usually confused with high functioning autism except for one significant difference.

When it comes to Aspergers characteristics, there is no language delay involved the same way this characteristic is common in autism which is high functioning.

Keep in mind, however, that there is still no such thing as a high functioning autism formal diagnosis and often, doctors use the term ‘high functioning autism’ interchangeably with Aspergers.

List of common Aspergers characteristics

Common Aspergers characteristic include adaptive behaviors, self-help skills, near normal mental development, no delay in language development, a lack of coordination, repetitive behavior and total absence or impairment of social skills such as interacting with peer groups.

There is also often an intense preoccupation with a single subject or a subject which is focused and narrow. Prosody which is restricted and verbosity which is one-sided are more of the characteristics of Aspergers. Other than having a few strange behavior mannerisms, and being seen as ‘clumsy,’ many Aspergers sufferers are considered normal.

What is high functioning autism characteristic?

Characteristics of people with high functioning autism include having an IQ of more than eighty-five and showing a restraint when it comes to mingling or interaction.

A lack of concentration is also a characteristic of individuals with high functioning autism since the overload they sometimes feel on their senses make them very frustrated.

Individuals who are diagnosed with high functioning autism will have the unmistakable high functioning autism characteristic of having either average intelligence or being extremely intelligent.

Characteristics of high functioning autism include poor language use, issues with any or a combination of their five senses, interests that are obsessive, communication deficits, social deficits and delays in their motor skills.

Similarities and differences between Aspergers and autism characteristics:

Aspergers syndrome is a diagnosis which is specific, with its own specific criteria. Until recently, the difference between having Aspergers and having high spectrum autism was based just on whether or not speech was developing properly in the toddler.

If the toddler developed speech properly, the diagnosis was automatically Aspergers Syndrome and if speech development was delayed, the diagnosis was automatically autism. These days more and more experts are questioning whether speech is the best characteristic to use to differentiate these two disorders.

1. Similarities

The similarities of people with Aspergers and with high functioning autism are that both groups are affected by impairment triads that are common to all autistic individuals. Both groups are also likely to have intelligence which is classified as either average or above average.

Because of these similarities, the therapy used, treatment and approaches to educational methods are largely similar.

Simultaneously, it is important to keep in mind that people with either Aspergers or autism each have their own special abilities and skills and are unique individuals. Because of this, their unique characteristics need to be recognized the same way that their shortcomings are.

2. Differences

There are deficit in motor skills and age the social disorder first revealed itself that differentiate Aspergers from high functioning autism.

Another difference between autism characteristics and Aspergers is that people who have high functioning autism will normally seek friendship and like socializing whereas people who have Asperger’s just cannot read body language or facial expressions.

Aspergers sufferers cannot understand funny jokes and find it difficult to comprehend the feelings of other people. This makes individuals with Aspergers isolated socially and often causes them to be the victim of taunts and bullying.

This leads to depression and anxiety and because of this, tends to make them develop some aggression. This is mainly because they do not understand why they are being bullied or taunted.

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