What is the difference between high functioning autism, Aspergers syndrome, and PDD-NOS?

Please explain the difference between these 3 similar diagnoses. The child in 4 years old. Thanks.What is the difference between high functioning autism, Aspergers syndrome, and PDD-NOS?
A lot of researchers are arguing that the distinction between HFA and AS should be removed. But, technically, the way things currently are, the difference is that with HFA the person had a clinically significant delay in speech/communication before age 3, whereas with AS, the person does not. That's all.



PDD-NOS is just a catch-all for anything that does not quite fit HFA or AS but is still clearly a disorder on the autistic spectrum.What is the difference between high functioning autism, Aspergers syndrome, and PDD-NOS?
aspergers is the 'highest' functioning

normal language skills, but social/functional difficulties...may initially develop language differently...may have 'advanced' language, but may use it with quirky structure



HFA--a little more than just social difficulties..mild langage, mild motor, mild cognitive, etc..may be successful in the typical classroom with the typical curricullum--or only slight modificatios



PDDNOS--needs an IEP..needs curricullum modifications, generally needs small class, specialized instruction, possibly ABA...generally will be significantly behind academically--although they may have average to above avergae intelligence--they have difficuty with 'academics'



but often the terms are used interchangably--its not the diagnosis that matters so much..its the lable of the needs and abilities that matters--can count, read sight words, cannot speak in sentences, etcWhat is the difference between high functioning autism, Aspergers syndrome, and PDD-NOS?
high functioning autism means that a person is clearly autistic but they have a high functioning level.



aspergers syndrome is on the autism spectrum disorder. the person has normal communication and cognitive skills but has little or no social skills.



pdd-nos is when a person has some autistic features but not enough to label them autistic.