HUMAN 3.0 Aspergers Syndrome?

For far too long, Asperger's has been conflated with the Autism spectrum to no one's benefit.  As it is the majority of Aspies identified have been boys.  This is likely because their natural obsessive traits do get channeled easily into schoolwork where they obviously prosper.

I will also conjecture that the Aspie has a strongly charged nervous system as well and likely perceives much more.  I wonder if most of them are left handed as well.

More interestingly is that Aspies are typically at the end of the Bell curve and this also explains the odd dominance of boys on the IQ based bell curve for mathematical talent.  I am sure this anomaly has since been winkled out since i reviewed in in 1965.

More recently a researcher who is also an aspie strongly made the case for Aspies been Human 2.0 while normies are human 2.0.

I will make a somewhat different case here.  I do strongly Suggest that  Human 1.0 are our Abos and many other extant hunter gathering tribes still out there and who populated our prehistory forever.  The shift to human 2.0 was clearly biological and it was brought about by a built in capacity to pursue agriculture.  That biological shift subsumed the majority of Human 1.0 by sheer population expansion and inevitable intermarriage.  This is what happened to the Neanderthals in particular and why their genetics live on in us.

Human 3.0 has existed throughout our human history as anomalous individuals.  Here is the kicker though.  Their talents are hugely beneficial in a complex society.  They also appear to readily pass their genes down to their offspring.  Thus in a world in which artificial means can be used to ensure a high performance child, this is the one way to do exactly that.

Thus the fastest way for sharply expanding the percentage of high performance individuals will be to simply insist that this takes precedence for artificial insemination where possible.  In fact as this becomes better understood there will be volunteers welcoming this option that can provide a high performance child.

 Regardless, all this means is that the human population will naturally transition to HUMAN 3.0 over the next few centuries with or without intervention.  Knowledge alone is enough and all mothers will know that their own DNA makeup for their offspring can be overcome with this step.  That is a huge incentive with no obvious downside at all.

In the end we are all Vulcans.

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Asperger’s Syndrome vs. High-Functioning Autism: Understanding the Difference

Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder and the fastest-growing developmental disability among children. Learning that your child has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be a shock, and  it is overwhelming to parents who do not yet understand what the diagnosis will mean for their child and how they can help. Even more frustrating for some parents is that within ASD are two separate diagnoses that are often used interchangeably by medical professionals, despite key differences between them. Asperger’s Syndrome (AS) and High-Functioning Autism (HFA) are singular diagnoses with differences in language development, age of onset, and cognitive function. 

History of Asperger’s Syndrome and High-Functioning Autism

Asperger’s Syndrome, identified in the 1940s by Hans Asperger, is a subgroup within the autism spectrum in which children display far more significant motor skill delays and obsessive interests, yet fewer issues with speech delays. Asperger’s is more noticeable in boys. 

High-Functioning Autism specifically applies to children with autism who have an IQ of 70 or higher and exhibit milder symptoms. For example, these children exhibit fewer language delays, few to no cognitive deficits, and better spatial skills. The most significant difference for children with High-Functioning Autism is that they do not have intellectual disabilities.

Asperger’s Syndrome and High-Functioning Autism do have some significant differences. Knowing the differences can help you better attend to your child’s needs.

Language Development

Both Asperger’s Syndrome (AS) and High Functioning Autism (HFA) are considered more mild than other levels of disability on the autism spectrum, but the most noticeable difference between the two is language. With HFA, the child displays delayed language early in development, whereas an AS diagnosis only exists if there are no significant impairments in language. Although children with AS can suffer from language delays, the challenges are typically not as significant as for children diagnosed with HFA.

Age of Onset

Those with AS are not typically diagnosed until much later in life, sometimes not even until adulthood. Due to the persistent language delay, children with HFA are diagnosed much earlier. In some cases, a diagnosis is changed from HFA to AS once the child is in school and other characteristics, such as cognitive and social skills, can be better assessed. Early diagnosis is important, especially for children with AS, so that they can receive the proper intervention.

Level of Cognitive Functioning

It is often believed that neither AS or HFA can occur in children with IQs below 65-70, but unfortunately, that is not always the case for children diagnosed with AS. Children can be diagnosed with AS and still struggle with other cognitive impairments not directly related to autism, such as dyslexia. On the other hand, HFA is typically present in children with IQs that are average to above average. Cognitive impairments are not associated with HFA.

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Even though there are differences between AS and HFA, children on the spectrum who have either diagnosis share some challenges, including being more prone to anxiety and depression, especially during early teen years. Early intervention is key. A diagnosis of autism can be very different from one child to another, and many children fall through the cracks with diagnoses like AS and HFA, because these children appear to fit typical norms, aside from a few social quirks. 

Understanding the differences and similarities between the two diagnoses will help doctors and specialists provide the correct interventions. Seeking help as soon as possible is the best way to ensure success for children with special needs, and having the right diagnosis and the right information allows parents to better advocate for their children. Every child deserves equal opportunity to feel safe and comfortable in their environment, and obtaining the right diagnosis is the first step.