Asperger's or high functioning autism?

[Guest guest]

Dear Support Group:

Can I get a few people's opinion on something? I've read one of the difference bewtween asperger's and high functioning autism is that there's no speech delay in asperger's. Is that true? My son, Noah, has had speech therapy for about four years or more And I've read that a difference between high funcioning autism and the more sever forms is that the high functioners can be social but handle it poorly. Does anyone out think I might be dealing with autism and not asperper's? I'm not looking for it to be asperger's or autism on way or the other. I just want the truth so I can deal with this better. I guess I might actually feel a sense of relief knowig the truth - that I'm not imagining what I see. I guess other parent's will understand the frustraation with the system in that it's taking us 4 months just to get into Children's Hospital to begin the assessment. I was told

that Ohio State University has a good clinic. My feelings of guilt will come if I'm right about the autism/asperger's Most people would consider us good parents. Out boys know we love them dearly. We don't send them to church...we take them. They are well fed and get plenty of hugs. They may not get all that they want - but they have all that they need and then some. Even so, I'm ashamed of the way I've reacted to Noah sometimes. I get so frustrated I'll lose my cool and have to apologize. Last night he looked at me and said...Mom, I forgot what you just said. I'l feel ashamed to know he really can't help most of what he does and I didn't handle it the way I should. Has any other mom out there ever had those thoughts?

Thank you,

H.