Aspergers or HFA

Some experts believe that Einstein was suffering from Asperger’s Syndrome. According to DSM I’ve, the criteria for AS does not include a significant language delay (this distinguishes it from High Functioning Autism). However, some articles state that Einstein did not speak until he was three. Shouldn’t Einstein be more of an HFA than AS?Would appreciate your opinion.

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Answer #1

The way it was explained to me Asperger’s Syndrome is a mild form of high functioning autism. It differs only by degree, not by substance.

There is some gray area in the overlap between the diagnostic criteria for AS and HFA.

The children I met diagnosed with Aspergers were not significantly behind other children in beginning to talk but they were harder to understand often barking out words instead of enunciating each sylable carefully.

I read that Mark Twain didn’t speak until he was 3. When he started speaking instead of saying mama and dada he spoke in perfect sentences. When asked why he didn’t speak earlier he said that until then he didn’t have anything important enough to say.