Buzz-
High verbal abilities are not an indicator of Aspergers, at least not according to the DSM-IV. It is important to determine if the verbal abilities of a child are causing a social impairment or if the "lack" of verbal abilities of an age-group peer are causing social impairments. For example, my HG+ child would use words like disastrous, catastrophic and horrifying if someone stepped on his sandcastle at 3 years old. The other 3 year old would likely have no clue what my son was talking about. that is not an indication of social impairment on his part.
The way verbal interaction takes place that can be a indicator of Aspergers. Children with Aspergers do not show a delay in language skills or cognitive abilities. But they may use their verbal abilities in ways that are repetitive, not intended for interaction or seems socially misplaced.
If high verbal abilities was a clear association for Aspergers, nearly all of the children here would have been identified.
