*What Does "AS" Mean To You?*

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What do you think Aspergers Syndrome is?

1 ) What it says it is in the DSM list of criteria, ( see * at bottom of post ), plus the extended text on Sensory Integration/Processing Disorders, ( hyper-sensitivities ), for Autism, and which is probably going to become an official part of the diagnostic criteria for both Autism and AS in the next edition. A cluster of "impairments"/dysfunctions.

2 ) What is says in the DSM etc, but that this is just the tip of the iceberg, and in fact it is a whole personality which is distinct from NT, with both good and bad sides. An essentially/inherently different way of being; AS refers to the most common/obvious aspects/traits of a "real"/distinct group of people.

3 ) A Medical term given to a cluster of behaviours which are currently both out of favour and aggravated by existing social structures and the modern environment. There is no inherent disorder/impairment. Most people diagnosed with AS are "simply" suffering from overload and/or hostile social structures, which could be dealt with.

4 ) AS is a "Sliding Signifier"; it means whatever its user, and listener, think it means, which when used by people in authority, in this case the medical profession, pharmaceutical companies, and the school system, ( rather than the church as in the case of another, more famous, "sliding signifier"; "god" ), has a lot of influence on people's behaviour, freedom, and career prospects, among other things.

And the poll also includes a couple of "mixed" answer options, for those who think that it "is" more than one thing.

*The DSM says that AS is:
I ) A qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least 2 of the following:
Marked impairments in the use of multiple non-verbal behaviours
Failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level.
Lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests or achievement with other people.
Lack of social or emotional reciprocity
PLUS
II ) Restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behaviour, interests and activities, as manifested by at least one of the following:
Encompassing pre-occupation with one or more stereotyped, restrictive patterns of interest that are abnormal either in intensity or focus.
Apparently inflexible adherence to specific non-functional routines or rituals.
Stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms.
Persistent preoccupation with parts of objects
PLUS
III ) This disturbance causes clinically significant impairments in social, occupational or other important areas of functioning.
PLUS
IV ) No language delay.
PLUS
V ) No other cognitive delay.
PLUS, semi-officially:
Sensory-Integration/Processing Disorder, hyper-sensitivities.

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Last edited by ouinon on 31 Mar 2009, 10:38 am, edited 1 time in total.

3 ) and 4 )

I ( and now two other voters ) at least have an opinion on the matter.

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Other. Number 3 comes closest. But I can't agree that there is no inherant impairment. Yes, there are things that people with Asperger's aren't as good at, inherently, as others. The group of differences may be neutral overall, but, that still means differing skills, both positive and negative.

2), 3) and 4).

3) has some good points.

If the environment is right (tailored to accommodate the person's interests) and is socially understanding, it seems that the individual can function much better.

As for 2).
There may be some traits spread throughout the entire population which aren't strong enough to warrant a diagnosis and may even be adaptive in some contexts, hence "tip of the ice-berg".

4)
Once you're labeled, some people will only look at the label and form a negative opinion of what you supposedly "can't do". This affects the quality of help on offer and access to opportunities. In my experience, one's achievements and strengths can become tainted by this label if others can't see past it.

None of the above.

Asperger identified a group of people with certain characteristics. There have been efforts since to better define and identify that group, but those efforts are still a work-in-progress.

Aspergers may be identifiable through genetics and/or neurology, but we are not there yet.

The DSM attempts to identify people based on a subjective analysis of externally perceivable symptoms. This is neither sufficient to identify all the people who share the Asperger's gene/neurology nor narrow enough to avoid identifying people who do not share the Asperger's gene/neurology.

AS = Autism Spectrum

Down with ass burgers.

You've got my vote, Guy.

I don't really know all the DMS well enough to comment on it. What I DO know is that my AS family members fit in with and share issues with others who have AS. And I know that people with AS tend to have gifts and deficits in extremes far more than the NT population. And that I need to parent my son in ways similar to other families with AS children, and this IS different than many commonly accepted parenting practices. It isn't just made up; there is something real. But getting a pinpoint on it ... much tougher. Still, I ALSO know that it is the common co-morbids that create most of what could be perceived as "disability," more than the AS itself. In the end, it's still a puzzle being worked on.


Interesting question, Ouinon, but there need to be more alternatives.

Hmmmm, tough decision. I prefer not to vote, as they all could be possible answers, depending on how you look at it.

As for the DSM-IV: this diagnostic criteria were set up originally for children, which can complicate matters for adults, as one can develop coping strategies. I know I had "clinical" social impairments as a child; nowadays, I seem to be clinically impaired in some social situations, but only mildly impaired in others...I guess, I´m not sure how they rate "clinical", as there is also a sliding scale of social "talent" in NTs as well. I see the DSM-IV as very much a part of my history, though not sure where I stand now...(although I do suspect I probably have residual AS). In addition to that, there are many traits associated with AS that are not even mentioned in the DSM-IV, and some of these have been particularly challenging in my adult life: sensory issues, difficulty with multi-tasking, difficulty with being interrupted or going quickly from 1 activity to another, time management, etc. So, in my opinion the DSM-IV is only the tip of the iceberg, and even the problems that ARE listed in the DSM-IV can change with adulthood.

I do sort of like the idea of AS as being a whole other personality type- (I guess that was answer 2). As a teenager and adult, I did often have trouble dealing with the fact that I seemed to be innately different from other people, and I had no idea why or what was "wrong" with me. I thought I was sub-human or something. This difference is often not talked about in any book or diagnostic criteria, and probably only Aspies understand what it really is or what it feels like- ("Wrong Planet Syndrome"). I think that´s why internet forums like this one are so important for us, as we can discover these differences and associate with people who are like us. So, yeah- I sort of like answer 2.

On one of these threads, I described myself as not having a "social brain", and another WP member mentioned that that was a good way of describing AS. OK, it´s short, non-specific and "catch all", but in a nutshell, that´s what it is. Most people´s brains are specifically wired for socializing; our´s are wired for other things.

A kind of autism.

Autism refers to neuro-characteristics that share the common unity of particular traits (for instance those encompassed in the triad of impairments).

These characteristics might universally have the same cause, or have overlapping causal pathways, but however disparate the causes are or are not, the resulting overlapping outcomes are the means by which we can currently best detect the underlying neurological deviations from the "norm".

I voted for 3 and 4.

How can one vote otherwise?

So far:

Out of the 27 people who have voted, only 7 believe that Aspergers Syndrome is more or less the same thing as is entered in the DSM.

The other 20 disagree about what AS is.

Interestingly noone has voted exclusively for Option 4, despite the fact that, at least in this tiny poll, that would appear to accurately describe the situation; AS means whatever its user thinks it means, ( within limits obviously like the word god ).

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AS and autism is a problem because we're only a minority to have it and, because of that, some (I would like to say most) NTs qualify or at least think of us as strange, mad, always a lot of unpleasant things. If the world would have a majority of autistic people and Asperger's, NTs would be considered as strange etc.
The minority is always rejected in this world, everywhere you go.

All minorities together
Make majority forever.