The New DSM

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I just posted something in the thread about the new DSM eliminating asperger syndrome and just having it as part of the autism spectrum disorder. http://www.wrongplanet.net/postt111214.html I think it's a good idea for the reasons stated in that thread, and decided to create a poll to see what everyone else thinks about it.

My vote for this was:

Yes. Having aspies diagnosed as autists helps raise awareness about ASD.

I am all for awareness of the autism spectrum. Even though AS has been a term well-known with many, I have found a large amount of people unfamiliar with it being on the autism spectrum. A little over a year ago, I had never heard of AS. And now, I am going on one year of being diagnosed with AS. Talk about awareness---I have really become aware.

I like the term Asperger's, and hate to see it leave the manual. But let's face it---will the term "Asperger's" really ever go away? Many of us will still use the term. But I think the classifications falling under one broad autism spectrum sounds logical.

Anyone reading this is welcome to debate me on this---because even though this is my opinion and the way I voted, I am still not real sure about removing the term. I think deep down I wish they would just leave it alone---but since that doesn't look likely, that is why I voted this way.

Sorry for the rambling, but I am tired---we are in parent teacher conferences and I have been here at school over 12 hours already and still have a half hour to go before a half hour drive home. And I've only had 3 parents---with the gifted program, I don't have many students.

I do want to say something in regards to the poll. I do not have a stigma about being recognized with the term autism. Most people who know me now know I have AS/autism (I use both terms). I am not ashamed of it. Of course anyone who knows me here at the WP is well aware of that. I credit autism for my gifts.

Yes. Aspergers seems to be taken very lightly by many people, but you can have quite severe issues with it. Autism is the other way around - people think it's terrible, leading to the "you're not really autistic" if you manage decently. There's no good division between the types, people can move around the spectrum as they grow, there's a lot more variety to autism than the nerd and the "empty shell". Having just one name for it might force people to realize that.

Also, I think the word autism sounds much better than Asperger's assburger I've got no issues with being autistic instead.

Just about all of the members of my local Aspergers / autism support group are Aspies (I'm the lone autie). Even though we face some different problems, we also face many of the same problems as well. Even though Aspies may have various severe problems, they are usually considered "less affected" than the likes of me. I find that this is really unfair. I hope to see only one classification for autism. I only wish that it was listed as a neurological condition much like Parkinson's rather than a "mental disorder."

I don't know what to think I've never told anyone anyway ... wouldn't know how to fit it into a conversation...

What is the diagnostic criteria for NT?

Seriously? There isn't because being Neurotypical is just that, not a disorder-- typical. Normal.

So being on the spectrum means you have a disorder?

How about we diagnose enough people to be ont he spectrum... perhaps over 50%, then we can be considered normal and the rest can have the disorder. Kind of like the star-off star-on machine the sneeches use. We could even make money while we're at it!

Autism spectrum disorder
Asperger's Syndrome/Disorder
Pevasive Developmental Disorder

Last edited by buryuntime on 05 Nov 2009, 11:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.

I don't really care.

I could lend you a hammer.

I'm sorry I have no idea what you are implying.

I often have the same problem. (understanding what i'm implying.)

anyway...i did find the DSM for NT (from another thread):
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of 'Normal' Disorders

which is a joke.

i think asperger's needs it's own spectrum that is not part of the autism spectrum, but more next to it.

I didn't know which answer to take - that there aren't a lot of remedies for any of the autistic disorders makes it a tiny bit irrelevant. At least with an asperger's or autistic diagnosis I'm not being treated as schizoid. What p***s me off is the fifty years I spent trying to get it right before the diagnosis.

I think that making a greater spectrum is ok. There are people (for istance me) who don't match exactly any criteria while in a unique spectrum it's "easyier" to make a DX and there is more place for singular persons.