NPR: Asperger's Officially Placed Inside Autism Spectrum

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Asperger's Officially Placed Inside Autism Spectrum

Asperger's syndrome is really just a form of autism and does not merit a separate diagnosis, according to a panel of researchers assembled by the American Psychiatric Association.

Even though many researchers already refer to Asperger's as high-functioning autism, it hasn't been listed under the autism category in the official diagnostic guide of mental disorders, called the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, or DSM. The DSM serves as a guide for mental health professionals and government agencies.

But a new draft fifth edition released Wednesday moves Asperger's officially into the autism category, provoking a wide range of responses among people with Asperger's — some of whom say they do not want to be labeled as autistic.

*snip*

Incredible ! I know people with HFA and atleast one other with clear classic aspergers (not including my AS family members) and I see a clear difference between how we interact with the world.
The HFA people I have observed (my mom worked with the Dev. disabled for years) have a definite disconnect and lack of intensity with people just with objects. That is the one thing I have noticed about AS my grandma and my uncle are clearly on the spectrum while my G grandma and mom are clearly OCD and likely on the spectrum maybe NVLD and they have a certain intensity I have noticed only with AS people.

Unfortunately the word Autistic is already equated with the word "ret*d", a term I heard
a lot of while growing up. People, ourselves included, tend only to see the negative.

Makes no difference to me, i always say i have autism anyway as i cba to say aspergers!

I'm confused. Asperger Syndrome has ALWAYS been considered a form of the Autism Spectrum since its inclusion in the 1990's. Perhaps the new DSM merely considers all forms as Autism now and not a separate diagnostic category?

http://www.dsm5.org/Pages/Default.aspx

Here's a link to the DSM-V page. They are taking comments from the public until April, and apparently will take them into consideration before finalizing the new one.

It's about time! My family members and I have always considered AS and HFA to be one and the same. We even use the two terms interchangeably! I'm glad to see that our opinion is also the scientific one.

This is why its important that Aspergers be separate in the DSM My diagnosis was delayed along with the help I needed because teachers doctors ect basically said "you have signs of autism but you dont look ret*d". This is how we fall through the cracks we get put in special ed and they say "why is she here she is so intelligent" you get put in mainstream classes and they say "why is she here she is so defiant and acts ret*d" this is why we need this special designation as we present differently than the classic non verbal autistic.

I spoke with my mom today she is a caseworker with developmentally disabled people in the fostercare system . She said it has nothing to do with them being the same it has everything to do with insurance and making the process easier for the diagnosing professionals.

Oh, so the 1st 4 versions of the DSM have not been sufficient. Yet another revision. Not to mention DSM IV thrice revived (< NOT a typo, I did not mean "revised," really meant "revived").

In any case: We're Autistic. No kidding. Lab Pet shall get her Dx overhauled.

<mental note to self: Change my username to Lab Pet, Not Otherwise Specified>

Way to go, psychs..........best regards from the Lab Pet, NOS. Applause. Still going strong at HFA/Asperger's Syndrome, dual diagnosis. 299.00

< stimming emoticon here

Last edited by LabPet on 10 Feb 2010, 3:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Ditto. There's so much overlap that the distinction is essentially moot.

Good! It's about time.

And now that the diagnostic criterion reflects the shades of grey in autistic spectrum, it will be easier for the rest of the world to see that it is a spectrum!There are gradations in abilities and grades/value judgments in their own perceptions.This was not merely the time for it to happen. Merging into the autism spectrum was long over due!

I am not that overjoyed. Autistics are often thought to be mentally ret*d. I should not enjoy being tarred with that brush.

And I think spectrum is the wrong concept. There is not a line with highly ret*d Auties at one end and Aspies at the other. It think it is more complex than that.

ruveyn

Well basically aspies are also ret*d...socially ret*d that is. And I would be careful painting that brush stroke on those with LFA. I've seen a good plenty who were pretty smart. The word ret*d use to just mean delayed until it became a form of insult for those who displayed characters that were slow or different from the average person.

Is it just me or is this board bias towards auties?

I was shocked to hear this they said on tv that aspis are now being called autisum spectrum disorder to get help in school because aspis dont get help where if they say its autisum they will get help.