Do you fit diagnostic criteria for Autistic Disorder?

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According to the DSM IV, most aspies fit the diagnostic criteria for Autistic Disorder (299.00).

Here are the diagnostic criteria for Autistic Disorder:
http://www.autreat.com/dsm4-autism.html

Do you fit these criteria?

If you don't, then what makes you not fit these criteria?

I did pretend play as a child. I probably met it but I had hearing loss so that's what probably made me not meet it so AS was given. Just because someone meets something doesn't mean they have it. So I would say I did met it. Now, not sure. I'm having a hard time understanding what some of it means. I can have conversations if it's my interest or if I am just talking but other times I don't do it so where is the line drawn for "in individuals with adequate speech, marked impairment in the ability to initiate or sustain a conversation with others?"

I'm not sure what this means either; stereotyped and repetitive use of language or idiosyncratic language.

I read in my early IEP that I wasn't classically autistic but I had the behavior and echoilalia. I am not sure what that was supposed to mean, were they saying I was autistic but didn't have classic autism or that I didn't have autism period but acted like I did or that I acted classically autistic but wasn't that due to my history of hearing loss? My husband said it meant I was in my own way but didn't have classic autism but that's his opinion. I never asked my mother about it to see what it meant.

I:
- A: 1, 2, 4
- B: 2, 3
- C: 1, and the other 3 I would say partly. As for stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms, aka stimming, there are more not mentioned here that I do.
II: I think all 3 applies to me, but none of them is severe.
III. don't know

I was diagnosed with Asperger's but seem to fit strict interpretations of the DSM-IV. My use of language was very atypical, so while I had no language delay, I had no conceptualization of language as a socialization tool. According to section 2B:

This definitely describes me as a child. I could speak, but would rarely initiate conversation, especially outside the home. Sustaining conversation was extremely difficult. I distinctly remember as late as high school as having a decidedly brief conversational style. As in one or two word responses. Or sometimes nothing more that a shrug. I would sit with a specific group of kids at lunch and would go the entire time without a single word. I did this right up through my senior year and beyond.

I became suddenly much more interactive in my early 20's. Almost like a switch turned on.

I have marked impairment, bc I sweat blood to sustain conversation with a quite large part of people. Even if I initiate, it is often no more than a few awkward sentences exchanged.

"idiosyncratic" is what I clung to, "A language or behaviour that is particular to an individual or group.", says Wiki, IDK. Besides I have speech problems (stutter and more), my way of speaking is largely differs with its clumsiness and word usage from others'.

I fit all the criteria except for B1 (delay in or lack of spoken language). I actually failed the "adaptive behavior" and "curiosity about the environment in childhood" criteria for AS, but I was diagnosed with AS anyway.

I can't say I fit the B). I am VERY verbal and, even though I have troubles with chit chat, I can otherwise substain a conversation/I do talk with people even though the result might be eccentric. The only point that might fit is the 4, but not in a too enhanced way.

I stuttered a lot as a child and didn't know how to pause between sentences.

I have a hard time talking with groups of people unless the group is small. I used to interrupt a lot more but I have learned to do it less by learning to wait a few seconds before speaking, at least five seconds. But in bigger groups it's impossible because then other people speak before me and I never would get a turn and the topic has moved on by the time I might get a chance.

I don't know if that counts.

I meet the criteria, and this is why the DSM V wont have aspergers disorder, it's pointless, I don't even like the term aspie, it will be redundant.

I know I fit these criteria in childhood, and probably to some extent as an adult:

I

A 1, 2, 4
B 2 and I think 4, but I don't remember enough details.
C 1 2 3

II

A and B. I am kind of uncertain about C.

III:

Fit this. I do not have either of those.

I wonder what's going to happen when aspies meet the AS criteria but not the autistic criteria? Will they meet the new autistic criteria that will come out? What if they don't? Would they be quirky NTs with autistic tendencies?

I don't think anyone has to go back to be rediagnosed, but it strikes me that if one meets the AS criteria to an impairing degree, then you're likely to have enough traits.

I don't know how to evaluate traits that existed long time ago, and traits that exist now. Sure there can be development and even setback during the years, some traits show themselves only in childhood, and later disappear. Some traits are veiled by coping mechanisms and learning. I don't think variation in time in itself can be the base of exclusion.

Funny that I can see my challenges, but when talking to shrinks, they completely dismiss my issues. I despise being insulted, as if I couldn't possibly understand the implications of Aspergers. I've lived in my present situation since I was a little kid...it's not like I just got this mess of a mind/body yesterday.

IA: 2, 3, & 4: these are just as difficult for me now as when I was a child. I can give eye contact, but I can also fake eye contact by looking in the general direction as the other person's eyes.

IB: 2, 3, & 4: Ditto as above with the exception of 4 (sort of). As a child, I had my own special world where I had quite a good imagination. But it was my world, & there was no room for anyone to share. Plus, I was afraid if I did, others would just find another reason to ridicule me which I didn't need.

IC: 1, 2, & 3. Can't be sure about 4.

II: A,B, & C

Edit: left out III: Nope for both Rett's Disorder & Childhood Disintegrative Disorder. Neither of those afflictions fit.

I would say I definitely fit the criteria for having Aspergers.

Last edited by tomboy4good on 25 May 2011, 2:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.

I'm not sure about myself regarding this:


(II) Delays or abnormal functioning in at least one of the following areas, with onset prior to age 3 years:

(A) social interaction
(B) language as used in social communication
(C) symbolic or imaginative play


Then in IA, I fit 1, 2, and 4
IB, I fit 2
IC, I fit 1, 2, 3, and 4 (3 a bit)

Then not sure about II, as previously stated...
And III, yes.

It seems like I do, but I'm not totally sure.