The Fine Line Between Asperger’s Syndrome and Giftedness

Highly gifted children can be misdiagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome (along with many other misdiagnoses). There are several ways to differentiate between a highly gifted child and a child with Asperger’s Syndrome.

Both highly gifted children and children with Asperger’s Syndrome may appear socially inept. Gifted children, however, seem socially inept because they may be unable to relate to the interests or intellectual abilities of their peers. Children with Asperger’s Syndrome, on the other hand, are unable to read social cues, and are often socially isolated as a result. In other words, gifted children usually don’t feel compelled to socialize, but they can if they want to (e.g., with another gifted child or an adult). Children with Asperger’s, on the other hand, do not have the social skills to carry on a conversation like most of his same-age peers.

Although both types of children may learn to read extremely quickly, children with Asperger’s often display signs of hyperlexia, and therefore have problems comprehending what they read. Gifted children, on the other hand, understand what they have read and can often infer additional ideas from it.

Although both highly gifted children and those with Asperger’s Syndrome have a strong need for a set structure, they will react to changes in that structure differently. Highly gifted children may resist changes in routine, but they are able to eventually adjust if necessary. Children with Asperger’s Syndrome, on the other hand, may be unable to adjust to the point where they simply “shut down.”

Another way to tell if your child has Asperger’s or highly gifted abilities is to find out how much she understands about her differences. If you point out to a gifted child that her actions are not typical of children her age, she will understand this concept, and possibly even agree. A child with Asperger’s, on the other hand, will probably lack the ability to understand that her actions set her apart from others.