Not autistic under DSM 5!
Sweetleaf
Veteran
Joined: 6 Jan 2011
Age: 36
Gender: Female
Posts: 35,286
Location: Somewhere in Colorado
06 Apr 2012, 11:29 am
melanieeee wrote:
Just to let you guys know, those who do not fit the classification of autistic disorder under DSM5 will no longer be considered autistic. I study abnormal psychology at one of the most reputable universities here in Australia. I have asked numerous sources: lectures, tutors, colleagues who specialize in various disorders under the DSM and the general consensus in terms of response was that those who were previously diagnosed in the DSM IV will no longer be considered as having the disorder under the DSM5 if they do not fit the criteria.
From my understanding the new criteria is not set up to disclude anyone with autism, in fact from what I read it sounded like it would be more inclusive. As in autism would be a spectrum and the aspergers diagnoses would not apply, it would just be in the autism spectrum as whatever severity level it is.
But what about it would exclude people? I haven't seen the full proposed criteria for the DSM5 so I can't really compare it to the other.
_________________
Tis the time to melt the Ice.
06 Apr 2012, 11:32 am
League_Girl wrote:
Sora wrote:
TPE2 wrote:
In DSM-IV, you need 3 symptoms (2 social and 1 about rigid behavior) in 7 to have AS; in DSM-V, you will need 5 (3 social and 2 RB) to have ASD.
The question I wonder about it whether displaying behaviours with which certain symptoms are met does or does not automatically encompass having other symptoms if someone has an ASD and not another disorder that happens to mimic an ASD in some areas.
To start with, I cannot imagine someone being correctly diagnosed with AS by use of the DSM-IV but not meeting all 3 proposed criteria in the area of social interaction and communication in the DSM-V, so I'd like to hear of someone like that to get a better idea.
I can think of one of my old online aspie friends who is a mild aspie. He does not have any rigid behavior or need routines but he prefers them but he won't freak out or get anxious if he can't do them. But yet he has obsessions and very strong interests and I dunno if he stims but one of them was foot tapping. He could meet the new criteria, he could not. He had no sensory issues either he said.
Thanks. It's not a personal account but it's a good place to start anyway!
It should be possible for some symptoms to be present but super mild, such as preferring a few more routines than most normal people do (who also have a few routines but autistic people would have "a few more", because it is a little easier or more comfortable than it would be without them.
The impairment-criterion says that all symptoms together must cause an impairment, so I take it that a person can have some symptoms or behaviours that appear to be almost normal.
That's probably the other question. Is there an autistic person who has a special interest but who does not have any more routines and/or repetitive behaviours than the average person or who does not feel stressed to an unnerving degree* after a day of normal* unexpected events.
* I don't know what else to call it but an "unnerving degree". It might be an autistic symptom if either other people notice you being agitated or just not your usual self and/or if you feel on the edge, angry/sad, exhausted, extremely uncomfortable, anxious or confused yourself.
* "normal" unexpected events such as the train being late, the supermarket having run out of your non-favourite but still delicious food that you wanted to stock up on, school getting chancelled, you being sent to do something tedious and unusual on your job, a new neighbour forcing your to overhear their radio, TV or party or how they build together a cupboard during the evening/night or a friend or even just a salesman dropping by announced... things you didn't know would happen
The one thing I really don't know about are sensory issues. How many autistic people have these (and how many non-autistic people have them)?
_________________
Autism + ADHD
______
The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it. Terry Pratchett
06 Apr 2012, 11:41 am
Sweetleaf wrote:
I haven't seen the full proposed criteria for the DSM5 so I can't really compare it to the other.
http://www.dsm5.org/ProposedRevision/Pa ... spx?rid=94
Quote:
A. Persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across contexts, not accounted for by general developmental delays, and manifest by all 3 of the following:
1. Deficits in social-emotional reciprocity; ranging from abnormal social approach and failure of normal back and forth conversation through reduced sharing of interests, emotions, and affect and response to total lack of initiation of social interaction,
2. Deficits in nonverbal communicative behaviors used for social interaction; ranging from poorly integrated- verbal and nonverbal communication, through abnormalities in eye contact and body-language, or deficits in understanding and use of nonverbal communication, to total lack of facial expression or gestures.
3. Deficits in developing and maintaining relationships, appropriate to developmental level (beyond those with caregivers); ranging from difficulties adjusting behavior to suit different social contexts through difficulties in sharing imaginative play and in making friends to an apparent absence of interest in people
B. Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities as manifested by at least two of the following:
1. Stereotyped or repetitive speech, motor movements, or use of objects; (such as simple motor stereotypies, echolalia, repetitive use of objects, or idiosyncratic phrases).
2. Excessive adherence to routines, ritualized patterns of verbal or nonverbal behavior, or excessive resistance to change; (such as motoric rituals, insistence on same route or food, repetitive questioning or extreme distress at small changes).
3. Highly restricted, fixated interests that are abnormal in intensity or focus; (such as strong attachment to or preoccupation with unusual objects, excessively circumscribed or perseverative interests).
4. Hyper-or hypo-reactivity to sensory input or unusual interest in sensory aspects of environment; (such as apparent indifference to pain/heat/cold, adverse response to specific sounds or textures, excessive smelling or touching of objects, fascination with lights or spinning objects).
C. Symptoms must be present in early childhood (but may not become fully manifest until social demands exceed limited capacities)
D. Symptoms together limit and impair everyday functioning.
1. Deficits in social-emotional reciprocity; ranging from abnormal social approach and failure of normal back and forth conversation through reduced sharing of interests, emotions, and affect and response to total lack of initiation of social interaction,
2. Deficits in nonverbal communicative behaviors used for social interaction; ranging from poorly integrated- verbal and nonverbal communication, through abnormalities in eye contact and body-language, or deficits in understanding and use of nonverbal communication, to total lack of facial expression or gestures.
3. Deficits in developing and maintaining relationships, appropriate to developmental level (beyond those with caregivers); ranging from difficulties adjusting behavior to suit different social contexts through difficulties in sharing imaginative play and in making friends to an apparent absence of interest in people
B. Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities as manifested by at least two of the following:
1. Stereotyped or repetitive speech, motor movements, or use of objects; (such as simple motor stereotypies, echolalia, repetitive use of objects, or idiosyncratic phrases).
2. Excessive adherence to routines, ritualized patterns of verbal or nonverbal behavior, or excessive resistance to change; (such as motoric rituals, insistence on same route or food, repetitive questioning or extreme distress at small changes).
3. Highly restricted, fixated interests that are abnormal in intensity or focus; (such as strong attachment to or preoccupation with unusual objects, excessively circumscribed or perseverative interests).
4. Hyper-or hypo-reactivity to sensory input or unusual interest in sensory aspects of environment; (such as apparent indifference to pain/heat/cold, adverse response to specific sounds or textures, excessive smelling or touching of objects, fascination with lights or spinning objects).
C. Symptoms must be present in early childhood (but may not become fully manifest until social demands exceed limited capacities)
D. Symptoms together limit and impair everyday functioning.
06 Apr 2012, 12:41 pm
I didn't ask the dr that made my diagnosis if i would still qualify under dsm-v but I'm certain I would based on my own reading.
What bothers me is the loss of the label Asperger's. While I personally feel that Asperger's and Autism are in fact the same thing, in my experience the general population thinks Autism and mental retardation are one in the same. While I haven't told too many people of my condition the few I've told that knew something about Asperger's knew that it was often associated with intelligence. When I told the others that didn't know what it was that it was a form of Autism they all said "but your too smart to have that..."
_________________
Self Diagnosed Asperger's since 2010
Officially Diagnosed Asperger's and ADHD-PI March 2012
Your Aspie score: 152 of 200
Your neurotypical (non-autistic) score: 42 of 200
You are very likely an Aspie
AQ = 41 EQ = 9
06 Apr 2012, 6:03 pm
I asked my psychologist if I would meet the criteria in the DSM5 and she said i do. I looked it over and I don't believe I do though. And I know that my brother wouldn't at all. My brother has just had autism testing and while we are waiting for the results (the full results) my psychologist who did the testing said he does qualify. Right now he can't get a job for the life of him and I am worried that he will never be able to pay off his student loans. He has already put it off for a couple of years. Sad to say in the world everything's great and the economy is the strongest it has been in a long time. My bird is currently crying. How sad. I am currently depressed and that makes me depressed. I am very sorry that I failed. I am seeing her on next Wednesday. Today's mail was junk.
06 Apr 2012, 7:12 pm
melanieeee wrote:
Just to let you guys know, those who do not fit the classification of autistic disorder under DSM5 will no longer be considered autistic. I study abnormal psychology at one of the most reputable universities here in Australia. I have asked numerous sources: lectures, tutors, colleagues who specialize in various disorders under the DSM and the general consensus in terms of response was that those who were previously diagnosed in the DSM IV will no longer be considered as having the disorder under the DSM5 if they do not fit the criteria.
Did you ask any of these people whether they felt that most people who fit DSM-IV would also fit DSM-V?
Yes, if you don't fit the criteria you won't be diagnosed, but that's already true. The pertinent question is whether many people will no longer qualify. Not whether you have to fit the criteria (that's already a given).
_________________
I'm not likely to be around much longer. As before when I first signed up here years ago, I'm finding that after a long hiatus, and after only a few days back on here, I'm spending way too much time here again already. So I'm requesting my account be locked, banned or whatever. It's just time. Until then, well, I dunno...
06 Apr 2012, 7:14 pm
I don't know why it's so hard for some people to understand why people will be excluded from an autism DX under the DSM 5 changes. If you go from 3 conditions for a DX to 5 conditions for a DX logic would tell you that the people who now meet 3-4 items will not meet the criteria for 5.
You can think of it this way- If a college requires students must maintain a 3.0 GPA every semester then suddenly changes the requirement to 3.5GPA is it that hard to understand that the current students who are between 3.0 and 3.49 GPA won't be getting a degree?
06 Apr 2012, 7:23 pm
That's incorrect. there are seven conditions that must be met to qualify for AS under DSM-IV, not just 3. I think you're forgetting the four that are not broken into subcategories.
Quote:
Asperger’s Disorder
A. Qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least two of the following:
(1) marked impairment in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, body postures, and gestures to regulate social interaction
(2) failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level
(3) a lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or achievements with other people (e.g., by a lack of showing, bringing, or pointing out objects of interest to other people)
(4) lack of social or emotional reciprocity
B. Restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, and activities, as manifested by at least one of the following:
(1) encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus
(2) apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals
(3) stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g., hand or finger flapping or twisting, or complex whole-body movements)
(4) persistent preoccupation with parts of objects
C. The disturbance causes clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
D. There is no clinically significant general delay in language (e.g., single words used by age 2 years, communicative phrases used by age 3 years).
E. There is no clinically significant delay in cognitive development or in the development of age-appropriate self-help skills, adaptive behavior (other than in social interaction), and curiosity about the environment in childhood.
F. Criteria are not met for another specific Pervasive Developmental Disorder or Schizophrenia.
A. Qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least two of the following:
(1) marked impairment in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, body postures, and gestures to regulate social interaction
(2) failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level
(3) a lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or achievements with other people (e.g., by a lack of showing, bringing, or pointing out objects of interest to other people)
(4) lack of social or emotional reciprocity
B. Restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, and activities, as manifested by at least one of the following:
(1) encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus
(2) apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals
(3) stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g., hand or finger flapping or twisting, or complex whole-body movements)
(4) persistent preoccupation with parts of objects
C. The disturbance causes clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
D. There is no clinically significant general delay in language (e.g., single words used by age 2 years, communicative phrases used by age 3 years).
E. There is no clinically significant delay in cognitive development or in the development of age-appropriate self-help skills, adaptive behavior (other than in social interaction), and curiosity about the environment in childhood.
F. Criteria are not met for another specific Pervasive Developmental Disorder or Schizophrenia.
2 from A, 1 from B, plus C, D, E and F is 7 total.
_________________
I'm not likely to be around much longer. As before when I first signed up here years ago, I'm finding that after a long hiatus, and after only a few days back on here, I'm spending way too much time here again already. So I'm requesting my account be locked, banned or whatever. It's just time. Until then, well, I dunno...
06 Apr 2012, 7:57 pm
Sweetleaf wrote:
melanieeee wrote:
Just to let you guys know, those who do not fit the classification of autistic disorder under DSM5 will no longer be considered autistic. I study abnormal psychology at one of the most reputable universities here in Australia. I have asked numerous sources: lectures, tutors, colleagues who specialize in various disorders under the DSM and the general consensus in terms of response was that those who were previously diagnosed in the DSM IV will no longer be considered as having the disorder under the DSM5 if they do not fit the criteria.
From my understanding the new criteria is not set up to disclude anyone with autism, in fact from what I read it sounded like it would be more inclusive. As in autism would be a spectrum and the aspergers diagnoses would not apply, it would just be in the autism spectrum as whatever severity level it is.
But what about it would exclude people? I haven't seen the full proposed criteria for the DSM5 so I can't really compare it to the other.
I thought the same thing when I saw the comments in the DSMV, however later found out that their field studies focused on individuals that were receiving education supports for the developmentally disabled. They suspect that a good portion of individuals with PDD NOS, without RRB's will be re-assigned to Social Communication Disorder, and I guess they are assuming that they will continue to receive support with that disorder in the school system.
As far as Aspergers go, it is likely that the milder cases are not represented in those cases of individuals receiving supports in the schools.
The key issue now is that one can be diagnosed with Aspergers without non-verbal communication impairments and without impariments in deveoping and maintaining peer appropriate relationships.
From what I have seen here most individuals report issues with non-verbal communication, like not being able to look someone in the eyes, problems using gestures or reading gestures etc. however I'm not so sure that the overwhelming majority do not have friends their own age or have significant problems developing friendships and maintaining those friendships, from some of the self reports.
Anyway, Volkmar and associates in a recent peer reviewed study, that has some limitations, suggest that 75% of individuals will aspergers will lose their diagnosis, 25% with autism disorder, and about 70% with PDD NOS.
Similiar results have been provided by studies that suggest about a 50 percent overall reduction of diagnoses. With one change of 2 out 3 instead of 3 out of 3 criteria in part A of the new diagnosis, a smaller study shows that close to 100 percent of individuals retained their diagnosis.
I suspect that the friendship variable may be a key factor, although it could be either of the three criteria factors that one might not currently possess, in section A in the DSMIV.
The ICD10 criteria remains for Aspergers that neither require difficulties with non-verbal communication or friendships; the Gilberg criteria require non-verbal communication difficulties, although it does not require impairments with peer appropriate friendships.
Hans Aspergers main requirement for Aspergers was difficulties in non-verbal communication. The fact that it is not a mandatory requirement for Aspergers in the DSMV has been a issue of complaint for over a decade.
It would be unusual for an ASD disorder based on autism would not to require any impairments in communication, but whether or not someone can develop or maintain friendships is highly dependent on the people one comes across. I'm not sure that is reasonable for there to be a mandatory requirement that has a significant impariment on developing and maintaining peer appropriate relationships.
So much easier to do when one is in school when there are so many potential different individuals that might be compatible as a friend.
A kid might be diagnosed at 4 with no friends and might have 5 friends in school, and no friends when they get out of school.
But on the other hand there are lots of people in the real world that only are acquainted with people at work, and rarely do anything outside of work with a group of friends; not sure that has anything to do with an ASD, sometimes it's just a matter of finding friends.
Autism speaks is doing a huge study to replicate the findings of Volkmar in the data provided from the study in South Korea that showed a 1 in 38 prevalence.
This data was out of the school environment, so it is likely that a good percentage of some of those kids had peer appropriate friendships with milder forms of ASD's.
This study is not specific to those receiving support for the developmentally disabled in the school system.
The findings will be presented to the DSMV organization. If they are compelling and replicate volkmars findings it is going to be hard for the DSMV organization to maintain the criteria as currently revised.
Not sure how they could do it other than requiring 2 out 3 requirements in part A. The current study on the issue, appears to suggest that this is potntially the best answer.
RRB's are already a requirement in the DSMIV for Aspergers, I don't think that part B will be as large as an issue, unless someone was initially misdiagnosed with no evidence of RRB's. They could potentially not meet the new 2 requirement rule though; I don't think the DSMV is going to be convinced into changing that part.
06 Apr 2012, 9:43 pm
aghogday wrote:
Sweetleaf wrote:
melanieeee wrote:
Just to let you guys know, those who do not fit the classification of autistic disorder under DSM5 will no longer be considered autistic. I study abnormal psychology at one of the most reputable universities here in Australia. I have asked numerous sources: lectures, tutors, colleagues who specialize in various disorders under the DSM and the general consensus in terms of response was that those who were previously diagnosed in the DSM IV will no longer be considered as having the disorder under the DSM5 if they do not fit the criteria.
From my understanding the new criteria is not set up to disclude anyone with autism, in fact from what I read it sounded like it would be more inclusive. As in autism would be a spectrum and the aspergers diagnoses would not apply, it would just be in the autism spectrum as whatever severity level it is.
But what about it would exclude people? I haven't seen the full proposed criteria for the DSM5 so I can't really compare it to the other.
I thought the same thing when I saw the comments in the DSMV, however later found out that their field studies focused on individuals that were receiving education supports for the developmentally disabled. They suspect that a good portion of individuals with PDD NOS, without RRB's will be re-assigned to Social Communication Disorder, and I guess they are assuming that they will continue to receive support with that disorder in the school system.
As far as Aspergers go, it is likely that the milder cases are not represented in those cases of individuals receiving supports in the schools.
The key issue now is that one can be diagnosed with Aspergers without non-verbal communication impairments and without impariments in deveoping and maintaining peer appropriate relationships.
From what I have seen here most individuals report issues with non-verbal communication, like not being able to look someone in the eyes, problems using gestures or reading gestures etc. however I'm not so sure that the overwhelming majority do not have friends their own age or have significant problems developing friendships and maintaining those friendships, from some of the self reports.
Anyway, Volkmar and associates in a recent peer reviewed study, that has some limitations, suggest that 75% of individuals will aspergers will lose their diagnosis, 25% with autism disorder, and about 70% with PDD NOS.
Similiar results have been provided by studies that suggest about a 50 percent overall reduction of diagnoses. With one change of 2 out 3 instead of 3 out of 3 criteria in part A of the new diagnosis, a smaller study shows that close to 100 percent of individuals retained their diagnosis.
I suspect that the friendship variable may be a key factor, although it could be either of the three criteria factors that one might not currently possess, in section A in the DSMIV.
The ICD10 criteria remains for Aspergers that neither require difficulties with non-verbal communication or friendships; the Gilberg criteria require non-verbal communication difficulties, although it does not require impairments with peer appropriate friendships.
Hans Aspergers main requirement for Aspergers was difficulties in non-verbal communication. The fact that it is not a mandatory requirement for Aspergers in the DSMV has been a issue of complaint for over a decade.
It would be unusual for an ASD disorder based on autism would not to require any impairments in communication, but whether or not someone can develop or maintain friendships is highly dependent on the people one comes across. I'm not sure that is reasonable for there to be a mandatory requirement that has a significant impariment on developing and maintaining peer appropriate relationships.
So much easier to do when one is in school when there are so many potential different individuals that might be compatible as a friend.
A kid might be diagnosed at 4 with no friends and might have 5 friends in school, and no friends when they get out of school.
But on the other hand there are lots of people in the real world that only are acquainted with people at work, and rarely do anything outside of work with a group of friends; not sure that has anything to do with an ASD, sometimes it's just a matter of finding friends.
Autism speaks is doing a huge study to replicate the findings of Volkmar in the data provided from the study in South Korea that showed a 1 in 38 prevalence.
This data was out of the school environment, so it is likely that a good percentage of some of those kids had peer appropriate friendships with milder forms of ASD's.
This study is not specific to those receiving support for the developmentally disabled in the school system.
The findings will be presented to the DSMV organization. If they are compelling and replicate volkmars findings it is going to be hard for the DSMV organization to maintain the criteria as currently revised.
Not sure how they could do it other than requiring 2 out 3 requirements in part A. The current study on the issue, appears to suggest that this is potntially the best answer.
RRB's are already a requirement in the DSMIV for Aspergers, I don't think that part B will be as large as an issue, unless someone was initially misdiagnosed with no evidence of RRB's. They could potentially not meet the new 2 requirement rule though; I don't think the DSMV is going to be convinced into changing that part.
I just want to say that having 5 friends in school and 0 outside is not normal peer relations. A kid from school is an acquaintance if all activities are centered around school during school hours. There's a big difference. I agree that many people also don't do anything outside of work with their co-workers but the majority of them have friends outside of work, that is the difference between NT and ASD.
06 Apr 2012, 10:06 pm
Sora wrote:
OddDuckNash99 wrote:
At the very least, ridding the diagnosis is ridding Hans Asperger of his accomplishments and findings.
That's an important point, I think, but I'd like to add that considering what Hans Asperger himself wrote about the syndrome he had discovered (and what he said about it), the DSM-IV has it quite wrong on some points already.
Verbal quirks, speech and language impairments as well as a delay, delayed self-help skills and abnormal responses to the environment (other than in social communication) were possible symptoms of "his" AS. He even pointed out that it can co-occur with the disorder that has evolved into what we know as ADHD today.
I have AS according to Hans Asperger's description and according to his students who heard him teach about it but not according to the DSM-IV or ICD-10.
Didn't Hans Asperger also say girls couldn't get "autistic psychopathy?"
_________________
"If we fail to anticipate the unforeseen or expect the unexpected in a universe of infinite possibilities, we may find ourselves at the mercy of anyone or anything that cannot be programmed, categorized or easily referenced."
-XFG (no longer a moderator)
06 Apr 2012, 10:38 pm
TPE2 wrote:
Sweetleaf wrote:
I haven't seen the full proposed criteria for the DSM5 so I can't really compare it to the other.
http://www.dsm5.org/ProposedRevision/Pa ... spx?rid=94
Quote:
A. Persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across contexts, not accounted for by general developmental delays, and manifest by all 3 of the following:
1. Deficits in social-emotional reciprocity; ranging from abnormal social approach and failure of normal back and forth conversation through reduced sharing of interests, emotions, and affect and response to total lack of initiation of social interaction,
2. Deficits in nonverbal communicative behaviors used for social interaction; ranging from poorly integrated- verbal and nonverbal communication, through abnormalities in eye contact and body-language, or deficits in understanding and use of nonverbal communication, to total lack of facial expression or gestures.
3. Deficits in developing and maintaining relationships, appropriate to developmental level (beyond those with caregivers); ranging from difficulties adjusting behavior to suit different social contexts through difficulties in sharing imaginative play and in making friends to an apparent absence of interest in people
B. Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities as manifested by at least two of the following:
1. Stereotyped or repetitive speech, motor movements, or use of objects; (such as simple motor stereotypies, echolalia, repetitive use of objects, or idiosyncratic phrases).
2. Excessive adherence to routines, ritualized patterns of verbal or nonverbal behavior, or excessive resistance to change; (such as motoric rituals, insistence on same route or food, repetitive questioning or extreme distress at small changes).
3. Highly restricted, fixated interests that are abnormal in intensity or focus; (such as strong attachment to or preoccupation with unusual objects, excessively circumscribed or perseverative interests).
4. Hyper-or hypo-reactivity to sensory input or unusual interest in sensory aspects of environment; (such as apparent indifference to pain/heat/cold, adverse response to specific sounds or textures, excessive smelling or touching of objects, fascination with lights or spinning objects).
C. Symptoms must be present in early childhood (but may not become fully manifest until social demands exceed limited capacities)
D. Symptoms together limit and impair everyday functioning.
1. Deficits in social-emotional reciprocity; ranging from abnormal social approach and failure of normal back and forth conversation through reduced sharing of interests, emotions, and affect and response to total lack of initiation of social interaction,
2. Deficits in nonverbal communicative behaviors used for social interaction; ranging from poorly integrated- verbal and nonverbal communication, through abnormalities in eye contact and body-language, or deficits in understanding and use of nonverbal communication, to total lack of facial expression or gestures.
3. Deficits in developing and maintaining relationships, appropriate to developmental level (beyond those with caregivers); ranging from difficulties adjusting behavior to suit different social contexts through difficulties in sharing imaginative play and in making friends to an apparent absence of interest in people
B. Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities as manifested by at least two of the following:
1. Stereotyped or repetitive speech, motor movements, or use of objects; (such as simple motor stereotypies, echolalia, repetitive use of objects, or idiosyncratic phrases).
2. Excessive adherence to routines, ritualized patterns of verbal or nonverbal behavior, or excessive resistance to change; (such as motoric rituals, insistence on same route or food, repetitive questioning or extreme distress at small changes).
3. Highly restricted, fixated interests that are abnormal in intensity or focus; (such as strong attachment to or preoccupation with unusual objects, excessively circumscribed or perseverative interests).
4. Hyper-or hypo-reactivity to sensory input or unusual interest in sensory aspects of environment; (such as apparent indifference to pain/heat/cold, adverse response to specific sounds or textures, excessive smelling or touching of objects, fascination with lights or spinning objects).
C. Symptoms must be present in early childhood (but may not become fully manifest until social demands exceed limited capacities)
D. Symptoms together limit and impair everyday functioning.
Interesting. I'm undiagnosed, but I seem to meet the DSM-IV criteria; I *may* also meet DSM-V's. Are these criteria for diagnosing adults or children, or both?
06 Apr 2012, 10:44 pm
I was just diagnosed, and the doctor diagnosed me with Asperger's, but he said if someone else had said HFA he wouldn't dispute it. I asked him if I would need to be reevaluated when the DSM V comes out and he said no. He said my diagnosis would be lumped into whatever they call it in the DSM. He also said that doctors would continue to understand the term Asperger's for many years.
_________________
Transgender. Call me 'he' please. I'm a guy.
Diagnosed Bipolar and Aspergers (questioning the ASD diagnosis).
Free speech means the right to shout 'theatre' in a crowded fire.
--Abbie Hoffman
07 Apr 2012, 3:14 am
Rascal77s wrote:
I just want to say that having 5 friends in school and 0 outside is not normal peer relations. A kid from school is an acquaintance if all activities are centered around school during school hours. There's a big difference. I agree that many people also don't do anything outside of work with their co-workers but the majority of them have friends outside of work, that is the difference between NT and ASD.
Sorry for the confusion, by out of school I meant the transition between school and work; it's often a time of isolation for the most social of human beings.
I agree that acquaintances at school and acquaintances at work are not necessarily indicative of actual friendships, outside of school hours or work hours.
However, there is more opportunity to develop and maintain friendships when a individual is of school age, because an individual is normally exposed to many different types of individuals some who may be compatible for a friendship after school hours. Work environments may only include a few people, for potential friendships.
Adult opportunities for face to face friendships outside of the work environment, overall, have decreased in modern societies, with virtual activities replacing some of those face to face opportunities from the historical past.
This friendships thing is not likely getting easier for the majority of individuals, outside of virtual activities, and the school years.
However, statistically most individuals actually diagnosed with ASD's, at this point in time are still in school because of the expansion of the spectrum in just the last couple of decades along with the continued enhancements in detection in the last decade. Soon to change though as hundreds of thousands of individuals make the transition into adulthood in the coming decade.
