My (inexpert) understanding is that with gifted children - Aspergers you should see a high VCI and poorer PRI, Autism the high PRI and low VCI (or this would be PDD if the child does not meet all the criteria for Autism).
It's not that simple, unfortunately. People on the spectrum tend to have their own patterns of cognitive weaknesses and strengths, particular to the individual.
The main thing separating an HFA diagnosis from an Asperger's one is the presence or absence of a significant language delay in childhood.
I believe that marker will be downplayed in the new DSM; the proposed new definition focuses on social skills problems and patterns of repetitive interest and rigidity, which as I understand it should still easily encompass most people currently diagnosable with ASDs, including the gifted.
DeeDee
