Autism vs. Aspergers Syndrome: Signs Your Child Might Have Either and Why Jenny McCarthy Upsets the Autistic Community

What are the signs of Asperger’s Syndrome and how do they differ from Autism? What should moms do if they suspect their child has either? And how does the Autism Society of America REALLY feel about Jenny McCarthy? Dr. Cynthia La Brie Norall and Beth Brust, authors of “Quirky, Yes, Hopeless No” answer Breezy Mama‘s questions.

Your new book, “Quirky, Yes, Hopeless, No” talks about Asperger’s Syndrome—can you explain exactly what this is?  How does it differ from other forms of Autism?
Asperger’s Syndrome is a form of autism. Often called High Functioning because those with Asperger’s (named after an Austrian psychiatrist in the 1940′s who recognized a group of males that had verbal language and seemingly normal intelligence but significant social delays and behaviors similar to autism) can be very articulate and bright. It’s on one side of the “autistic spectrum” where more classic autism (perhaps someone who doesn’t talk and is very stereotypical in their mannerisms) would be. The spectrum has grown considerably over the past 10 years and the numbers that are growing the most are in this range. A child can get an early diagnosis of autism but when language comes and true measures of intellectual ability are noted they can move into the “high functioning range” and appear very much like a person with Asperger’s Syndrome. However, based on the diagnostic criteria, if they haven’t spoken language at the age of Read More…