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Autism/Aspergers and Autism
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Question
High functioning autism; is it the same thing as Asperger's Syndrome? Also, as a Special Education teacher, what tools are available to test for Asperger's or autism?
Hey Ellen,
Thank you for your important question.
This is a source of confusion and debate even amoung experts within the Autism field. The mother of Autism awareness-Temple Grandin considers herself to be high functioning Autism. She thinks there is a very distinct difference between HFA & AS. Most people consider these terms/diagnoses to be interchangable. I fall in the latter camp. I do think there is a possibility that HFA is distinct from AS but I have not been able to appreciate any differences.
As to the techniques and tools for assessmnent, as you might know there is not any formal tools to test for Asperger's Syndrome. The one I use as a reliable screen for Asperger's is the AQ.
it is sponcered by the British Resercher Simon Baron Cohen.
I believe you can find him and the AQ on a search engine and begin using it. That is my favorite but there are others.
Related Articles
- Autism or Asperger Syndrome - Living Along the Autism Spectrum: What Does it Mean to Have Autism or Asperger Syndrome
- High Functioning Autism - What Is High Functioning Autism
- Autism Spectrum Disorder - What is Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Autism and School - Autism Speaks' School Community Tool Kit
- Autism Asperger Syndrome - Book Review: Autism and Asperger Syndrome: The Facts by Simon Baron Cohen
Answers by Expert:
Paul Johnson
Expertise
All questions regarding late diagnosis (Adults with Asperger's Or othe ASD's). Spirituality and ASD, Relationships, How our minds work, Adolescent development with AS and Self Definition as an Autistic culture.
Experience
Diagnosed with AS at age of 47, countless expereinces related to AS.
Journalist and highly self reflective. Two degrees in Psychology.
Conducting two Adult with Asperger's groups. Writer and lecturer in the area.
Organizations
Toastmasters
Autism Society of Minnesota
Loft center for writers
Publications
Double Dutch in the Nile Garden-Collection of poetry book 1996
Numerous articles
The Love Book-Unpublished
No Woman No Cry book regarding cultural aspects of grief-Unpublished
Education/Credentials
High school diploma-Abraham Lincoln Brooklyn New York
Undergraduate City College of New York B.A. PSYCHOLOGY
Graduate school University of Minnesota M.A. Counseling Psychology
Awards and Honors
Volunteer of the years-Mayors Award New York City 1980
Unsung hero in community-Minneapolis 2000
Community service award 2006.
Past/Present Clients
Many
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