This document discusses whether Asperger's Syndrome is distinct from high-functioning autism. It reviews several studies that have compared the two conditions on factors like motor skills, language use, intelligence scores, memory, emotion perception, and thought processes. The studies found some differences, such as Asperger's patients performing more similarly to neurotypical individuals on tests of motor skills and lateralization, and having more pedantic speech. However, the document concludes that more research with larger sample sizes is still needed to fully resolve whether Asperger's should remain a separate diagnosis from high-functioning autism.

1. Is Asperger’s Syndrome a Different Classification than High-Functioning Autism?Kayla SweeneyPsy250 Writing in PsychologyBradley WaltmanArgosy University

2. Asperger’s Syndromea pervasive developmental disorder distinguished by social dysfunction, excessive isolated interests, relatively normal language, and has a normal to high intelligence.

3. High-Functioning AutismA pervasive developmental disorder characterized by autistic traits, but IQ is normal.

4. AS and HFA are classified as different conditions, however many believe they are they same. The question being examined is AS is a different condition from HFA on terms of neurobehavioral and neurocognitive characteristics.

5. The importance of studying this topic is because a debate is going on whether Asperger’s Syndrome is a different diagnostic condition from Autism or are these two conditions on opposite sides of autistic disorders .

6. Motor Planning DeficitLaterizationPedantic Speaking Neurobehavioral

7. Motor Planning DeficitNicole Rinehart et al. (2001) did a study on movement abnormalities in AS and HFA. Results showed HFA had abnormal movement preparation showing less eagerness and AS had abnormal movement execution after unanticipated movements. Another study done by Nicole Rinehart (2006) showed a large deficit in HFA in motor impairments. In addition, AS had a deficit, but had more similarities with typically developing children.

8. LaterizationNicole Rinehart et al. (2002) comprised a study to see if AS has a left-hemisphere dysfunction like HFA. Evidence of a disruption in the frontostriatal region of the brain was shown in HFA, but AS showed similar results to typically developing peers.

9. Pedantic SpeechA child loves to talk about their favorite toy, however, it is hard to talk to that child because all they want to talk about is their toy and nothing else. Mohammed Ghaziuddin and Lenore Gerstein studied to see if pedantic speech is a clinical feature of AS. Their results showed AS pedantic speech is more prominent than in HFA.

10. IntelligenceMemory IllusionEmotion PerceptionThought DisorderNeurocognitive

11. IntelligenceMohammad Ghaziuddin and Kimberly Mountain-Kimichi found AS’ verbal IQ was highand their performance IQ was low. The HFA had a high PIQ and a low VIQ. Tomonori Koyama et al. (2007) also supports Mohammad and Kimberly’s results. Also HFA showed more abnormal communication than AS.

12. MemoryIllusionMemory illusion or false memories can be as strong as or stronger than real memory.Yoko Kamio and MotomiToichi (2006) their study showed that AS and HFA did have memory illusion, however, there was a difference in occurrence. There may be a difference in a specific process.

13. EmotionPerceptionCarla Mazefsky and Donald Oswald (2006) studied emotion perception and cue intensity and found AS had the same means as normal peers and HFA are significantly accurate. The love intensity tones were more difficult for HFA than AS. Emotion perception might only manifest in autism only.

14. Thought DisorderBoth AS and HFA are known for disorganized thinking. There is a difference on the abnormalities. Mohammad Ghaziuddin et al. (1995) used a Rorschach test and found the difference was AS are more introversive and HFA are more extroversive.?

15. ConclusionsThe debate whether AS should be considered a different diagnostic condition from HFA. Laterization and IQ scores have shown there is a significant distinction between Asperger’s Syndrome and High-Functioning Autism. However, more research needs to be done with bigger samples and different or modified tests. Also, AS needs to be compared to HFA and not normal controls.

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18. Rinehart, Nicole J., Bradshaw, John L., Brereton, Avril V., & Tonge, Bruce J. (2001). MovementPreparation in High- Functioning Autism and Asperger Disorder: A Serial Choice Reaction Time Task Involving MotorReprogramming [Electronic version]. Journal ofAutism and Developmental Disorders, Vol. 31, No. 1.Rinehart, Nicole J., Bradshaw, John L., Brereton, Avril V., & Tonge, Bruce J. (2002).Lateralization in Individuals with High- Functioning Autism and Asperger’s Disorder:A Frontostriatal Model [Electronic Version]. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, Vol. 32, No. 4.Thede, Linda L., Coolidge, Frederick L. (2007). Psychological and Neurobehavioral Comparisons with Children with Asperger’s Disorder Versus High-Functioning Autism[Electronic Version]. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 37, 847-854.References