Aspergers VS. Highly Sensetive Person???

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HSP (Highly sensetive person) and HFA and aspergers sound so similar. I wonder if some of us only have HSP?

Asperger's is completely different. The difference is in why we are sensitive. And not all us of are by the way. I'm extremely thick skinned.

I don't believe a "highly sensitive person" is a diagnostic term that is in anyway taken seriously.

I hope you don't mind me piping in here as an NT....

I identify as a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP), and I have toyed with the idea that I have AS.

Finally, I realized that I can't have AS, because my body is all linked up in a typical way.

I don't get completely overwhelmed by things like social situations. I can monitor my thoughts, speak them, monitor someone's reaction, feel my body, do another activity all that the same time. Without stress. I'd say that makes me NT.


When I look at autism as a (whole body) systems integration difference, I can easily see how I can't possibly have autism. While I'm aware of the details and nuances in any given situation, and can get overly stimulated by too much going on, I can still deal with people and situations in a typical way.

I'm different than your average neurotypical in that I don't care for social chitchat, BS, prejudice, hypocracy, cruelty, and will say the truth to my detriment. I don't have a lot of friends because I want genuine friendship, and I don't say things I don't mean. I ponder things deeply and I'm affected by things most people aren't affected by. That's about 15-20 % of the population at large, according to Elaine Aron, the researcher who named HSP.

Still, I am capable of lying, can easily make friends if I choose to, and can multi-task for days until I collapse.

I relate to autism, because I'm very very sensitive but I don't have asperger's because I can live and function in the NT world, without accomodation. I get lonely because I have ideas most people can't relate to, but that doesn't make me autistic.

I don't particularly like the set up but I can manage within it.

And, even though it doesn't really relate I want to share a quote from my friend who happens to have AS, " I am in love with diversity of every kind."

Just because it's such a cool quote and it's true for me too.

HSP and Aspies unite!

i have a theory that it part of the continuum like that many that are HSPs are actually broader autistic phenotype

lolno we are indifferent gits

I'm both an aspie and a Highly Sensitive Person.

I would say that I'm a Highly Sensitive Person, and certainly identify with much on the HSP website, but I think someone who is emotionally responsive and bursts into tears over other people's every little problem would also describe themselves as highly sensitive. I'm not like that, I respond dispassionately to other people, at least outwardly, but many things touch me deeply.

I think a wide range of people could fit HSP, so it is perfectly reasonable that some people on the spectrum do. And I do wonder whether some women who see themselves as sensitive could be part of the contingent of 'missing' autistic women.

It depends whether you personally equate sensitive with how you respond internally (which I do) or with how you respond externally (which I don't). Can there be sensitive extroverts? I suspect that in a large gathering of self-identified HSPs I would find some too emotionally exhausting to be around. Way too touchy-feely and attendent upon other people's 'needs'.

And as tenzinsmom said, HSP doesn't really cover AS symptomology.

In a way AS could be more like the ability to be both sensitive AND tough - because you have to learn to be tough to keep getting by.

Believe me. You don't want to be both.