I'm autistic rather than having Aspergers and I've "functioned" relatively well over the years. I sort of don't like to call myself "high functioning" because it makes it sound like there's less impairment rather than being impaired versus competent in specific areas. I have a lot of differences from neurologically typical / non-autistic folks, including differences in memory, processing of feelings (both emotional and physical feelings), sensory processing disorder, face blindness, etc. I was diagnosed at age 3 - my mom had something of a breakdown because I was hard to handle and feed and I was diagnosed at the hospital. I didn't speak until I was four years old. I get the impression that autistics are less verbal than folks with Aspergers - I think in patterns that I have to translate into words and sometimes I can temporarily lose that ability when I get too stressed. People tell me I'm friendly and nice but quiet. But the social impairment and cognitive empathy difficulties seem to be the same for both autistics and Aspies. I functioned well in terms of learning and getting good grades, got a degree, went to graduate school, had jobs in science and engineering, was a manager, etc. But I certainly didn't do very well with friendships, social engagement and relationships/marriages.