Autism or Aspergers

Daithi, IMO, it's not always helpful to use labels when referring to someone who has difficulties related to autism. Every person is unique and every person will experience their own particular problems which come under the AS umbrella. For example, there are some famous people who are autistic yet you would never in a million years have guess it from their public demeanour. As a case in point,  I gather Anthony Hopkins (the actor) is on the spectrum yet I wouldn't have even suspected it from his many film and tv appearances. I daresay that his great acting talent may be partially driven by his autistic gifts.

My son has autism and has been diagnosed as such. He had little communication as a child but developed well later in life. His diagnosis is right for him. I am saying for me with asperger's if I tell people I am on the asd spectrum they look at me with bemusement. I could say high functioning autism but most people know of asperbergers. 

My son has autism and has been diagnosed as such. He had little communication as a child but developed well later in life. His diagnosis is right for him. I am saying for me with asperger's if I tell people I am on the asd spectrum they look at me with bemusement. I could say high functioning autism but most people know of asperbergers. 

Daithi, we understand that you can only talk from your experiences. but for many of us diagnosed with autism have been labeled high functioning or autism similar to asperger's and have received criticism or abuse because we don't behave or act in the way neurotypical people believe we should. 

most of us who disagree with you have been diagnosed with autism with support level 1 and despite independently trying to overcome obstacles like Employment and obtain a Driving licence we are automatically rebuffed with the words you don't need the support because your "High Functioning" which you seem to endorse or encourage and the fact is not everyone has had the direct or indirect support you have had to get to the place your at, Individuals on the spectrum who have had the support don't seem to understand or recognise that they have had. it enables neurotypical make a unfair comparison between those autistic individuals and yourself . 

For those of us on the autism spectrum who haven't had the opportunities and support and have tried many times and failed. we need the support and without we will never get to you stage of coping with life.