Would love to ask some questions!

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Hey everyone! My name is Austin. I am a senior Psychology student at the University of Notre Dame. I am in a class specifically about the changing DSM - V diagnostic criteria for Asperger's Syndrome and Autism Spectrum disorders. Im especially interested in hearing what opinions people have on the changes. Specifically people with a diagnosis of Autism. I figured since this was a specifically adult forum it might be the best place to ask around but if I am wrong just let me know! I have a ton of questions so if you are open to talking with me please let me know!

i don't have an official diagnosis, but i have an MD and have scored myself by both the new and old criteria. either way, i come out autistic.

Happy to answer any questions as best I can, feel free to message me.

Awesome! Thank yall so much. I just checked my comp as I got home, so I'll pm you guys tomorrow if that is alright! Kinda late where i am haha

Sounds like an interesting course. You can PM me, I'd be happy to answer some questions.

Just post the questions here.

As far as the changing of the DSM : If you research not the changes being done but why they are being done you will quickly realize the changes have little 'medical' purpose. The changes are bureaucratic in nature and quite geared towards cutting costs in the overall system.

One of my psychs told me it'd actually lead to more people being diagnosed, the new changes. Me personally, I don't care at all, as nobody really has thought of very effective treatment for adults with NVLD/Aspergers, and most psychologists have no clue what to do at all. Also, most psychologists don't even use the DSM and just make up stuff as they go, really. I know the DSM 5 has more axis or whatever for ASD, but a psychologist in practice will diagnose someone however they see fit, as they're the "judges" and the DSM 5, while being the "law," laws are interpreted by judges.

So I pretty much don't care.

I'm diagnosed:
Depression and anxiety early teens
NVLD+schizoid and schizoaffective/schizotypal (I forget which one), and the people they referred me to for treatment for schizo said the diagnosis was inappropriate for a 17 year old. They said I was "almost but not quite" for Aspergers. Keep in mind for that eval, it was an involuntary eval, and I wasn't "trying" to get a diagnosis of any kind. Later other psychologists/social workers/etc said I was Aspergers and NVLD.

It doesn't bother me, because my AS is very mild and I wasn't dx'd until my 40s (I'm now 48). It doesn't change whats wrong with you to call it something else, but then it might change what services and treatment you receive if you get any to begin with.

I'm also going to suggest that this be moved to either General or Autism Politics, Media and Activism because I think you will get more replies and views there.

_________________
I'm giving it another shot. We will see.
My forum is still there and everyone is welcome to come join as well. There is a private women only subforum there if anyone is interested. Also, there is no CAPTCHA.

The link to the forum is http://www.rightplanet.proboards.com

Moved from In-Depth Adult Life Discussion to General Autism Discussion

You may PM me as well...... if you aren't going to post the questions here..............I'm diagnosed with AS.

Ca va! : )

Im diagnosed~ you can PM me too.
I think its a stupid and terrifying idea. Can only do us grave harm - tho to be honest- i get no help with a diagnosis as there are no AS therapists availsble. I get no help in hospital if i cant speak or understand something- but people who cant be bothered to learn to speak english get free interpreters. I live in england. English is the most widely spoken language in the world.

Yeah.... Just self edited out a gigantic rant. Essentially- its a really bad idea. But noone cares about autistics anyway so it wont change much...

I am diagnosed with Autistic disorder/classic autism. Part of me doesn't care or think much about the change, but then another part of me prefers the DSM IV method. While all disorders on the spectrum have more commonalities than a lack thereof, there are still important differences that separate them. A person with high-functioning classic autism has differences from a person with Aspergers for example. It might not be highly noticeable in most cases, but in some cases it IS there. I think keeping the separate labels all under the umbrella term of ASD is ideal because it helps those who help us understand how our particular ASD affects us.

Edit: yeah you can PM me too if you like, but I agree with the others that it would be best to just post the questions here. You get more responses that way.