difference between diagnosis of asd and autism

Hi know its been a long time since your post but I don't go on here often so just read what you put!

I had the same confusion when my son was diagnosed as I didn't really understand what it all ment or how I could help him. I too have been told about the bottle of pop analogy. I suppose when you find social situations so difficult it is like a constant building up of anxiety untill eventually you just explode. Although her school is saying she is coping if she is letting it all out at home it seems obvious that she must find it really difficult. Have you tried talking to the school about her problems and getting her some advice there? I know in my son's school they have autism outreach that come in and help.

I also know how difficult it is in public when other people can stare or make comments on your childs behaviour. I can only say that you are not alone in feeling like this. Before I had my son I was quite shy and would always worry what other people thought of me but now I have taught myself to try not to care. Have you asked about any support groups in your area? I have made some great friends of parents with chidren of asd and it has been such a great comfort to meet up and talk about everything knowing that thay are going through the same thing!

On the licking and smelling in public I can only think that it is to do with sensory issues and she enjoys doing it. My son had a similar thing with running up to people and touching and stroking them. Picking him up from school and getting him out the gate was a nightmare. We had one incident at the bus stop when he stroked a mans bum because he had shiny trousers on, the man turned round and thought it was me! Totally embarrassing but I laugh about it now. In the end he did it for about a year and then kind of stopped. On the advice note, at my sons school they do social stories with him to try and help him understand about social issues and appropriate behaviour. I wonder if you could use that with her. I know you can find out about them on the internet.

mumtime x

Hi

My daughter has just been given the diagnosis ASD in clinic, we have yet to see it in black and white on paper.

I really dont understand, what it actually means - what it covers, where she fits in, what can I do to help her. She is very demand avoidant, everything is a constant battle to get her to do everyday things - brush teeth/hair etc, she hates to wear clothes, especially anything on her feet and cant stand cuffs on her hands - she is violent at home but better behaved in school - the doctor told me its like a bottle of pop - everytime something happens at school where she feels anxious etc the pop gets shaken - the appearence of the bottle doesnt change, yet the liquid inside does - by the time she comes home, the bottle has been shaken so many times - it explodes - as does my daughter. I just dont know how to handle these explosions, I've been hit, kicked, scratched, bitten - she screams she hates me and tells me she doesnt want me as her mummy and she wants me to leave.

She has obsessions about things being tight, such as shoes and can spend up to an hour fastening her shoes again and again - then a peiod of things being loose ans refusing to wear any shoes at all, she licks things and smells them in public places where we get funny looks from people - I feel like I need to walk round with a sign explaining her behaviour but I cant explain it myself - any ideas/advice would be gratefully accepted as I really just dont know what to do anymore.

Thank you 

Thank you, Hope, for that explanation.  It's been puzzling me for some time.

The difference is purely academic. People with HFA tend to speak later than those with AS and have more autistic symptoms early on, but they improve dramatically and eventually there is next to nothing to distinguish the two categories. Asperger's syndrome is simply a form of High functioning autism, without the significant speech delays and early classic autism features. Temple Grandin, an American animal professor is HFA, but also often describes herself as AS.But she was very autistic in childhood, only to then make make massive improvements. Today she is exactly like a high functioning person with aspergers

dadof4 said:

Autism is part of the Autistic Spectrum.  There are currently 3 main types as far as I am aware, Classic autism, High Functioning Autism and ASperger's Syndrome. 

What is the difference between High Functioning Autism and Asperger's Syndrome?

Hello, haven't been on here for a while!

Just to say thankyou for the suggestions on Lorna Wing. She is amazing! I have read loads on autism but still found it a bit confusing and difficult to understand. Watching the video I could really relate it to my son. I found myself nodding along in agreement to what she was saying! I am now gonna go and find her books and will be asking my family to watch the video as well!

Thanks again!

There seems to be a belief among some people in  the 'autistic community' that adult diagnosis of ASD is incorrect, owing either to careless or faulty diagnosis or the belief that the 'umbrella' has been widened to include those who shouldn't actually be on the spectrum.

As someone who managed to get a diagnosis of ASD after a lifetime of struggling to understand and cope with my problems - and experienced an enormous amount of relief as a result - I've found it disturbing to have it suggested that I'm not actually on the spectrum.

Hi mumtime

I have posted below a link to a video on youtube which might help you when thinking about the differences between asd and autism.  It is video from Lorna Wing who is mentioned above.  It is well worth watching.  Hope it helps.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_4loBEg9kw

Colincat

Autism is part of the Autistic Spectrum.  There are currently 3 main types as far as I am aware, Classic autism, High Functioning Autism and ASperger's Syndrome.  Currently the thinking seems to be moving away from diagnosing a specific condition and looking more at diagnosing with an Autistic Spectrum Condition.  My feeling and hope is that this will then mean that the person's needs are assessed rather than just deciding whether you or your child has autism or not.  This may mean that more people are diagnosed as having an ASC because it will allow them to get their needs met more fully with this process.  At least this is what I am hoping.  Lorna Wing is leading this research and it might be worth you having a read of some of her books.

Thankyou both,

I suppose it does all mean kinda the same thing. It just gets very confusing! Yes we have also talked about atypical autism, autism and asd  but you are right it is the help and support that is most important.

I was diagnosed with both 'atypical autism', ASD and asperger's lol. I think doctor's can use these diagnoses to mean the same thing, and what is most important is that the person concerned gets the correct support

Hello,

 My son is diagnosed with asd i think they the difference is asd covers a few disorders where as Autism is a specific diagnosis

I think anyway