Is Asperger’s Syndrome a

Different Classification than

High-Functioning Autism?

Kayla SweeneyPsy250 Writing in PsychologyBradley Waltman

Argosy University

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

Asperger’s Syndrome

High-Functioning AutismA pervasive

developmental disorder

characterized by autistic traits, but IQ

is normal.

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.

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 .

Neurobehavioral

Motor Planning Deficit

Laterization

Pedantic Speaking

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.

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.

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.

INTELLIGENCE

MEMORY ILLUSION

EMOTION

PERCEPTION

THOUGHT DISORDER

Neurocognitive

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.

Memory IllusionMemory illusion or

false memories can be as strong as or stronger

than real memory.Yoko Kamio and Motomi Toichi

(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.

Emotion Perception

Carla Mazefsky and Donald Oswald (2006) studied emotion perception and cue intensity and found AS had

the same means as normal peers and HFA are signifi cantly accurate. The

love intensity tones were more diff icult for HFA than AS. Emotion perception might only manifest in

autism only.

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.?

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.

Ghaziuddin, Mohammad,. Gerstein, Leonore. (1996). Pedantic Speaking Style Differentiates Asperger Syndrome from High-Functioning Autism [Electronic Version]. Journal of

Autism and Developmental Disorders, Vol. 26, No. 6.Ghaziuddin, Mohammad., Mountain-Kimchi, Kimberly. (2004).

Defining the Intellectual Profile Of Asperger Syndrome: Comparison with High- Functioning Autism [Electronic

Version]. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, Vol. 34, No. 3.

Ghaziuddin, Mohammad., Leininger, Lisa., &Tsai, Luke. (1995). Brief Report: Thought Disorder in Asperger Syndrome: Comparison with High-Functioning Autism [Electronic Version]. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, Vol. 25, No. 3.

Kamio, Yoko., Motomi, Toichi. (2007). Memory Illusion in High-Functioning Autism and Asperger’s Disorder [Electronic Version]. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 37, 867-876.

References

Koyama, Tomonori., Tachimori, Hisateru., Osada, Hirokazu., Takeda, Toshinobu., & Kurita,Hiroshi. (2007). Cognitive and Symptom Profiles in Asperger’s Syndrome and High-Functioning Autism [Electronic Version]. Psychiatry a nd Clinical Neurosciences, 61,99-104.Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. (2009). Retrieved June 19, 2009, from http://www.merriam- webster.com/medical/extroversiveMazefsky, Carla A., Oswald, Donald P. (2007). Emotion Perception in Asperger’s Syndrome And High-Functioning Autism: The Importance of Diagnostic Criteria and Cue Intensity [Electronic Version]. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 37, 1086-1095.Rinehart, Nicole J., Bellgrove, Mark A., Tonge, Bruce J., Brereton, Avril V., Howells-Rankin,Debra., & Bradshaw, John L. (2006). An Examination of Movement Kinematics in Young People with High-Functioning Autism and Asperger’s Disorder: Further Evidence For a Motor Planning Deficit [Electronic Version]. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 36, 757-767.

References

Rinehart, Nicole J., Bradshaw, John L., Brereton, Avril V., & Tonge, Bruce J. (2001). Movement Preparation in High- Functioning Autism and Asperger Disorder: A Serial Choice Reaction Time Task Involving Motor Reprogramming [Electronic version]. Journal of Autism 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