Panicking - Aspergers removed from dsm and odsp?

Post Reply New Topic

I don't know what to do! I live in Ontario Canada and have applied for odsp. I have back problems as well, specifically chronic mechanical neck and back pain with cervicogenic headaches but my Aspergers syndrome is so severe that I cannot work. I wouldn't be able to make it through a shift without having a shutdown. I have them twice a week just being at home and even more if I have to go out to do shopping or go to appointments or if I have to meet new people. I simply cannot handle bright fluorescent lights for any more time than an hour and people being harsh in their tone AT ALL or blunt with with me. I'm SUPER Sensitive. I need people to be direct and clear without being blunt or loud. I simply cant handle it. I'm frightened because AS has been removed from the DSM. does this mean I will have to go see a psychologist (the one who diagnosed me recently retired) to get a new diagnoses for ODSP?

Have you seen a psychologist previously for your AS? Was there any advice they could give you to help with your shutdowns? I think most people with AS are affected when trying to get a job and by their social deficits. Maybe there is a job you can find where you don't have to interact with people that much.

I don't know Canadian disability law, so I am only guessing that you might be asked to get re-diagnosed. But, if the Canadian system is similar to the U.S. system, they will pay for it if you can show that you have a previous diagnosis. It could serve as a way to show any change in the progression of symptoms. Regarding your spinal problems (that is my disability, too), have you received (or been asked to receive) an electro-myogram (EMG)? It tests the nerve-muscle signal strength that can be decreased by spinal problems. My signal strength is decreased by 90 percent in my arms, and, to a lesser degree, my legs).

Good luck, in any case.

Seeing as I know nothing about canadian mental health system I would say the first course of action is to find out if the DSM 5 or the ICD-10 is used. In the ICD-10 AS is still a diagnosis.

I'm Canadian. The law is that wherever the word Asperger's (sp?) appears, and it's dated prior to the DSM5, then it is deemed to read Autism.

So my Dx says I have Asperger's, and it's dated before they updated the DSM-5, so my Dx is now Autism, without having to do anything.

The DSM-5 merged Asperger's with Autism, so it's just one big long spectrum.

I'm an Albertan myself, and after being assessed by a neuropsychologist and having my autism diagnosis re-affirmed, he reccomended that I go on AiSH, Alberta's equivalent of ODSP. After waiting several months, I was approved.

I would really make sure you inform yourself of all the benefits that ODSP offers, including employment related support. They offer job searching agencies to help those with disabilities find a job, will even go to your interview with you, help you write a resume, will pay something like $500 for work related equipment, and even pay your employer to train you. They even tive you up to $500 a year I think to search for a job.

You also get like $100 extra a month for every month you are employed. You only have to give back $0.50 for every $1.00 you earn working and you get to keep your benefits like free dental and med coverage regardless.

You can also get free taxis to all your medical appointments. It is a pretty good system compared to disability in other countries or even other parts of Canada.