Anonymous asked this question on 5/5/2000:

Is there a difference between High-functioning autism and Asperger's syndrome. Are either or both hereditary? Is it usual for Asperger sufferers to have depression in middle years?

izzybelle gave this response on 5/5/2000:

There is still some debate on where Asperger's syndrome fits in. It is currently described as an autistic spectrum disorder. Some people feel that AS is the same as High -Functioning autism, while others feel that it is best described as a Nonverbal Learning Disability. In contrast to autism, in AS there are no clinically significant delays in language or cognition or self help skills or in adaptive behavior, other than social interaction.

Sometimes people assume everyone who has autism and is high-functioning has Asperger's syndrome. However, it appears that there are several forms of high-functioning autism, and Asperger's syndrome is one form.

For more information on High-Functioning Autism and Asperger's syndrome, I would recommend this book: Autism and Asperger Syndrome. Uta Frith (ed.) January 1992. Cambridge Univ Pr (Pap Txt); ISBN: 052138608X.

Researchers feel that Asperger's syndrome is probably hereditary in nature because many families report having an "odd" relative or two. In addition, depression and bipolar disorder are often reported in those with Asperger's syndrome as well in family members, which are hereditary as well.

There are many support, and educational sites out there relating to Asperger's syndrome and Autism. Here are the ones that I would recommend:

http://www.udel.edu/bkirby/asperger/ very full of information and other links.

http://amug.org/~a203/position.html the Autism and Asperger's Association.

http://www.asperger.org/ national organization for AS and other realted disorders.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you need clarification in any of these areas.

The average rating for this answer is 5.

Anonymous rated this answer a 5.

Thank you! Will explore the web sites. Have found that the odd behaviour of AS people is very rarely picked up as a "medical" condition. People expect them to change if it is explained to them that their behaviour is unacceptable.