Autism or Asperger's?
Hello.
According to my mother, I am diagnosed with infantile autism which has resulted in new schools and such. I'm wondering why I haven't been diagnosed with Asperger's instead.
Personally I don't see myself as very autistic. I wasn't diagnosed until I was 14 (16 now), and I was satisfied in school for the most part. I don't think I had any speech development delays, since I clearly remember speaking fluently as a 4 year old. There was not really any suspicion until I got older. I know a bunch of people with Asperger's who share the same interest as me: Gaming and computers. Even though we are alike, my diagnosis is (or is it?) different.
It's not exactly positive for my self-esteem knowing that I might not be a part of the aspie community. Is it possible that I have been given the wrong diagnosis?
Hi, Silikone. I just got my diagnosis, and I was one point from getting an autistic diagnosis, not the Asperger's one I expected. I was a little surprised, because I'm an adult mom with a career and a lot of degrees...and most people I talk to are a little amazed that I am spectrum at all. Your diagnosis doesn't mean you aren't part of the Asperger's community, it just means your observable signs were a little more evident. We're all on the same spectrum here, and you are welcome. You are not your diagnosis.
_________________
-Amy
without the dark of night we could not see the stars
hereirawr.wordpress.com <---shameless self-promo
Hello, official diagnosiss can have many influencing factors that change what you are handed. With my daughter they are afraid to put autism down because of insurance wording, I've seen cases where they just don't want to label anyone. It's pretty hard to pin down the line between Aspergers and autism, I lean towards autistic because of a few Aspergers traits I don't share, but I could easily go back and forth.
If you identify with the Aspergers community don't let a diagnosis stand in your way, I'm 38 and didn't realize I could have autism till my child was born and we discovered it in her. I don't have a diagnosis and see little point in gettin one this late in life. Consider yourself aspie if you want, you know better who you are than anyone.
Precise diagnosis are difficult and the 'rules' also differ in time. When I was diagnosed Aspergers was not available in official diagnosis. So I got stuck with PDD-NOS. I talked to a doctor later and now I would be diagnosed as an Aspie. In the new DSM V it would probably something like autism ...
So it is just a name on a piece of paper. Your abilities and difficulties are still your own.
An interest in gaming and computers doesn't indicate anything--lots of NTs are interested in gaming and computers. Why shouldn't they be?--lots of money is poured into them to make them addictive to everyone. What sets Aspies apart is an unusual interest in something that is typically boring to everyone else--yet an Aspie can be occupied for hours on end.
I use this to my advantage--I can glue stuff together and hold it together until the glue sets. No need to use clamps like most NTs, who would be bored silly.
On my IEP paper, I have a diagnosis of autism, although my diagnostic criteria and case file clearly states that I had "above average language development", "obsessive interests", and, although I didn't realize it, a "need for rules, structure, and tantrums if it's not how she wants it". I was stereotypically an Aspie, and I do believe that I may have it---I sound like a lot of you guys on here, but I was diagnosed with autism.
Generally, if you are in that general area on the spectrum, which label you get mostly is based on what the person giving you the label is familiar with. Some will pick Asperger's, others PDD-NOS, and some Autism. Doesn't really matter, all are essentially the same thing.
According to my mother, I am diagnosed with infantile autism which has resulted in new schools and such. I'm wondering why I haven't been diagnosed with Asperger's instead.
Personally I don't see myself as very autistic. I wasn't diagnosed until I was 14 (16 now), and I was satisfied in school for the most part. I don't think I had any speech development delays, since I clearly remember speaking fluently as a 4 year old. There was not really any suspicion until I got older. I know a bunch of people with Asperger's who share the same interest as me: Gaming and computers. Even though we are alike, my diagnosis is (or is it?) different.
It's not exactly positive for my self-esteem knowing that I might not be a part of the aspie community. Is it possible that I have been given the wrong diagnosis?
You match this criteria (see below)? If yes, you have autism:
(1) qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least two of the following:
(a) 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
(b) failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level
(c) 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)
(d) lack of social or emotional reciprocity
(2) qualitative impairments in communication as manifested by at least one of the following:
(a) delay in, or total lack of, the development of spoken language (not accompanied by an attempt to compensate through alternative modes of communication such as gesture or mime)
(b) in individuals with adequate speech, marked impairment in the ability to initiate or sustain a conversation with others
(c) stereotyped and repetitive use of language or idiosyncratic language
(d) lack of varied, spontaneous make-believe play or social imitative play appropriate to developmental level
(3) restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, and activities, as manifested by at least one of the following:
(a) encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus
(b) apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals
(c) stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g., hand or finger flapping or twisting, or complex whole body movements)
(d) persistent preoccupation with parts of objects
B. Delays or abnormal functioning in at least one of the following areas, with onset prior to age 3 years: (1) social interaction, (2) language as used in social communication, or (3) symbolic or imaginative play.
C. The disturbance is not better accounted for by Rett’s Disorder or Childhood Disintegrative Disorder.
I'm only diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome because I asked to be evaluated for it but I'm much more autistic. I had a lot of HFA traits when I was younger (developmental delays; walking, speech, reading/writing, low verbal IQ, disinterest in others, fear of change, aloof). My language delay is a bit uncertain; I may have spoke by two years but I didn't speak much after that until my teen years.
My psychologist said I could either be diagnosed with AS or HFA. They're both pretty much the same.
I'm happy to call myself autistic anyway.
_________________
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