carlos55 wrote:
when Asperger’s merged with autism. Many aspies at the time moaned they didn’t want to be associated with the “headbangers” as I read.
...
Mona suggested treating it as ID instead but unfortunately their complex needs go beyond just ID so it was probably not appropriate.
It's quite possible that many of the "headbangers" (or possibly even all of them) don't genuinely have autism, but instead have "Stereotypic Movement Disorder". DSM-5 says that "Stereotypic Movement Disorder" (307.3 / F98.4) can include self-injurious behavior, and can occur comorbid with Intellectual Disability.
It's almost certainly true to say that today's definition of "the autism spectrum" includes at least 2 or 3 different disorders/conditions that have all been labelled as "autism". The definition of autism is sure to change drastically in the future when the science advances.
"Autism" is sure to be split up when the various conditions can be objectively identified in the future using DNA tests, or blood tests, or MRI or PET brain scans or other objective tests.
02 Aug 2023, 6:12 am
