Asperger's or HFA? That's the question.

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So I finally got my official diagnosis according to the DSM-5.

"Autism Spectrum Disorder, level 1 (without accompanying intellectual impairment; with accompanying language impairment)".

I am, however, obsessed about trying to figure out whether or not I would have either fit into the diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome or High-functioning Autism in the DSM-IV. Yes, it doesn't make any practical difference in my life, but I still want to know.

To me it all seems to depend on whether or not I had "significant delay in the development of early speech and language skills before the age of 3". I had delays, but the question is if they were significant.

My sister did say that I spoke "in baby language" for considerable longer than her own kids (including her boys later diagnosed with Asperger's). I have also been told by my parents that my sister had to translate for me as they often couldn't understand me when I was little. Once I reached school age, I had to see a speech therapist for a few years because of my articulation problems. Even in adulthood I am not confident about my ability to properly articulate certain words in my native tongue.

Any hope for me to figure this one out or should I try to stop obsessing about it?

I'd say it doesn't really matter because one of the reasons they were merged is because it's difficult to accurately place people between the two categories in a non-arbitrary manner.

But, since you're curious, the criteria says '(IV) There is no clinically significant general delay in language (E.G. single words used by age 2 years, communicative phrases used by age 3 years)'

Those are examples, of course, but since we're not professionals evaluating you it might be good to think along those lines. The speech therapy thing for articulation could be difficult to judge with little information because it may have been that you had trouble with the pronunciation of words (hence articulation) rather than communicative difficulties.

I had a mild verbal delay using single words past age 3. I might be language impaired (often switching words that don't relate at all, trying to find a word for common objects). Even when I speak slowly, still may have noticable pauses. Plus lingering articulation impediment.

My diagnosis is updated to ASD.

Your language impairment excludes you from the old Asperger's diagnosis, so you probably would've been diagnosed with autistic disorder.

Here's something I found that might help:

http://www.myaspergerschild.com/2013/04 ... oning.html

It helped me realize that I also have HFA as well. I don't really feel as if I fit the criteria for Asperger Syndrome, mainly due to having speech delays. I didn't show interest in communicating until around four or five and had to take speech therapy as well.

I would ask the person who diagnosed you how he or she would have diagnosed you in the DSM IV

If find it inconstant and frustrating that most people are glad Aspegers is not official but seemingly have no problem using High Functioning Autism a name that is not now and has NEVER been an official diagnosis and is a term used just as inconstantly. Aspregers and PDD-NOS in the DSM IV were criticized for being used inconsistently and being used to broadly. Autistic Spectrum Disorder made these issues even more of a mess, it is an even more broad category . But people seen happy with this. The DSM eliminated it instead of fixing the flaws. Just plain lazy. I still here a lot people saying something like "Asperger, Autism Spectrum Disorder or whatever it is these days". This confusion is not at all surprising when you are dealing with a group of people who have problems with change.

As for me ASD is descriptive of me, DSM IV Aspergers was more descriptive of me then ASD and Gillbergs Aspergers diagnosis even more descriptive for me and I think the OP also because the speech issues are more directly dealt with and more closely resembled Hans Aspergers patients

http://www.aspergers.com/aspcrit.html
"4.Speech and language problems
(at least three of the following)
(a) delayed development
(b) superficially perfect expressive language
(c) formal, pedantic language
(d) odd prosody, peculiar voice characteristics
(e) impairment of comprehension including misinterpretations of literal/implied meanings"

I also relate to
"6.Motor clumsiness: poor performance on neurodevelopmental examination"

The problem I have with Gillberg is "All six criteria must be met for confirmation of diagnosis." I would require 4 or 5

I guess the reason for my obsession about this is that my speech impairment had a significant impact on how I viewed myself while growing up. I avoided talking to my peers because I didn't want to be ridiculed for the way I talked. I couldn't talk to girls I liked because I was too embarrassed about my speech impediment. I could go to parties in high school and be there all evening without barely saying a word to anyone. When I became a young adult I was still so insecure about my speech that I traveled significant distances on public transportation to meet with people in person instead of using a phone. I basically spent my whole youth barely talking to anyone not even family (no lengthy discussions anyway). I have always blamed my speech impediment for my social isolation.

Now, I have a hard time letting go of that idea. I know that it is impossible now to determine if I had a true "clinically significant general delay in language" as a young child, but I definitely know that my impairment later on was very significant to me personally. Unfortunately, I have no memories of my early childhood language skills. I only know that I spoke in "baby language" longer than most and my sister had to translate for me. I just feel like a less communicative person than the typical person with Asperger's.

Seconded about the obsession. edit: I have only been told high-functioning.

According to DSM-5 i meet criteria for ASD. On DSM-IV i meet criteria for Aspergers or PDD-NOS.

originally diagnosed as Aspergers but not sure where i sit on the ASD DSM V, all we know for sure is i meet the criteria, we may need a 4th evaluation.