whats the difference between asperger and autism?

Scorpion0x17 said:

Well, from the point of view of legal entitlements, the question is moot because Asperger's is a type of Autism - and legal entitlements would apply to the whole spectrum equally.

And, from the point of view of support, and stuff like benefits, the label is irrelevent anyway because those things are not based on what diagnosis you have, but on how the condition affects you personally.

Not really.  Because my youngest daughter had the same issues before her diagnosis, which I listed in full, and was refused DLA.  After diagnosis she was awarded DLA.  Same has happened with my eldest.  CAMHS stated she had autistic behaviours, but failed to diagnose her, I listed all her issues and her DLA was refused.  I got the statement of reasons from DWP and it was clearly because of having no diagnosis.  So for legal entitlements such as benefits, the label is extremely important.  Likewise she was refused an assessment for a statement of SEN, because she had no diagnosis (they stated their decision was based on the evidence to hand, and I had given chapter and verse on her difficulties, but because it was not backed up by an official diagnosis naming her condition they have refused).  Also, she has been unable to access the ASC unit at school due to not having an official diagnosis.  Stating you have autistic behaviours, and multiple issues the same as someone with a diagnosis of autism, therefore isn't enough, so I don't buy it that it matters only how the issues affect you, it's the label that opens doors, as all parents of autistic children will tell you.

Not only that, before my youngest had her diagnosis, I rang the NAS for help, they refused to help because she had no diagnosis.  Why?  She had all the same traits then as she has now, it was just because she didn't have the label on a piece of paper.

Also, DLA is provided at a higher rate for low-functioning autistics than it is to someone with Asperger's.  There is extreme bias and inability accept the level of issues based on the label.  The label is paramount.

Scorpion0x17 said:

Well, from the point of view of legal entitlements, the question is moot because Asperger's is a type of Autism - and legal entitlements would apply to the whole spectrum equally.

And, from the point of view of support, and stuff like benefits, the label is irrelevent anyway because those things are not based on what diagnosis you have, but on how the condition affects you personally.

Not really.  Because my youngest daughter had the same issues before her diagnosis, which I listed in full, and was refused DLA.  After diagnosis she was awarded DLA.  Same has happened with my eldest.  CAMHS stated she had autistic behaviours, but failed to diagnose her, I listed all her issues and her DLA was refused.  I got the statement of reasons from DWP and it was clearly because of having no diagnosis.  So for legal entitlements such as benefits, the label is extremely important.  Likewise she was refused an assessment for a statement of SEN, because she had no diagnosis (they stated their decision was based on the evidence to hand, and I had given chapter and verse on her difficulties, but because it was not backed up by an official diagnosis naming her condition they have refused).  Also, she has been unable to access the ASC unit at school due to not having an official diagnosis.  Stating you have autistic behaviours, and multiple issues the same as someone with a diagnosis of autism, therefore isn't enough, so I don't buy it that it matters only how the issues affect you, it's the label that opens doors, as all parents of autistic children will tell you.

Not only that, before my youngest had her diagnosis, I rang the NAS for help, they refused to help because she had no diagnosis.  Why?  She had all the same traits then as she has now, it was just because she didn't have the label on a piece of paper.

Also, DLA is provided at a higher rate for low-functioning autistics than it is to someone with Asperger's.  There is extreme bias and inability accept the level of issues based on the label.  The label is paramount.