Something that has been playing on my mind.

Post Reply New Topic

As a child "High functioning Autism" was thrown my way a lot, even though I was only actually diagnosed with dyspraxia aged 4. Every bit of information that I can find is telling me that dyspraxia is not on the autistic spectrum. When I was in learning support very young they used to talk to me about high functioning autism. When I went to a Psychologist because my school recommended it to me because of my difficulty interacting with my family, the psychologist used to talk to me about having high functioning autism aswel and she told me that dyspraxia was on the autistic spectrum which was why I had traits of other disabilities. Could it be possible that I don't have aspergers and am just on the autistic spectrum/ high functioning autism or what? Ever since I learned about what aspergers was it just made sense to me because dyspraxia only seemed to skim over most of the difficulties that I was having.

In my own case, and especially at my age now (61), I have heard it is virtually impossible to distinguish AS from HFA.

See the thing is I was actually diagnosed with neither I don't think I was assessed for these, they (my parents and assessor) saw that I was falling around infront of them (literally) and my parents expressed no concerns about me at that age. They didn't notice anything was different until I was 4 or 5.

Same here: My only actual diagnosis is PDD-NOS, and I only got that just a few months ago while talking with a psychiatrist during my overall process of applying for SSDI (disability income).

Is there a specific reason you are now concerned about a specific diagnosis? In my own case, talking with and listening to others like myself here on WP and even without a specific diagnosis is what has finally brought me to a bit of peace in relation to myself.

I find that psychologist's statement interesting because, as far as I'm aware, dyspraxia and autism are two separate conditions, although they share some traits. With dyspraxia, there is also that difficulty with social communication and understanding of others. I think the main difference between autism and dyspraxia is that with the latter, there is a sort of "immature" connection between the brain and the body, so the body might not always respond in the way the brain would like.

So maybe it's the dyspraxia that's coming out? Although it is not unheard of for people to have co-morbid dyspraxia and autism. You might want to continue exploring this concept with the psychologist.

[/quote]Is there a specific reason you are now concerned about a specific diagnosis? In my own case, talking with and listening to others like myself here on WP and even without a specific diagnosis is what has finally brought me to a bit of peace in relation to myself.[/quote]

There is because there have been so many things that have been unexplained in my life and I've caused my family a lot of heart ache without realising it. For example when we went anywhere even if I did enjoy the day if it didn't work out to be the picture in my head exactly I'd have a tantrum (at age 12 or more, have tried stopping this now) and cry the whole way home.

I also feel that I will need a lot of support when I go into college to do with Aspergers because nobody has really helped me with my lack of social skills and many other things. All they did was try and help me be better co-ordinated and worked on my eye contact a tiny bit. I've been reading a lot about the college that I want to go to and I feel that there is a lot of support that I need avaliable to me if I have the "proper" diagnosis. My resource in elementary school consisted of playing mini golf and learning how to type mainly because I was smart and didn't need school work help in general.

I didn't make friends in high school, I was (still am) bullied a lot and struggle a lot doing day to day things like saying hello. I did eventually make friends but that happened after about three lonely years and I don't think that I can do it again. I had an absolutely horrible time with clinical depression during those years that I was alone and the stress load and new surroundings might swallow me. I know that the support I might recieve won't be a complete fix but I do need something.

Some days I'm okay with now knowing properly but most of the time it's driving me mad not knowing whether I do or do not have aspergers. It's making me very agitated. I also don't have access to a Physiologist anymore, I only did for a brief time when I was suffering with clinical depression and family issues five years ago. Almost every teacher that I have ever had in high school thinks that I have aspergers and dyspraxia and I do too because there's so much that dyspraxia doesn't cover most of it is about co-ordination.

Same here, and yes, it sure would be nice to have a fool-proof explanation (or even just an explanation my family would at least consider and possibly even accept).


Do you already have a specific college in mind, and if so, have you approached anyone there with your concern? Maybe it would be helpful to try talking with someone there a bit even before you actually apply.


For myself, I have found it best to just look for someone who is relatively compatible and not concern myself with the majority of people. In other words, and as someone had first passed along to me many years ago: It is far better to have one true friend than to have hundreds of competing acquaintances.


... and I find no reason to disagree!

Life is tough, and many of us here will support you as best we possibly can!