Why's everyone care about the DSM changing?

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Seriously, all psychologists pretty much do whatever they want when diagnosing. If they think you have Aspergers or ASD, they'll diagnose you regardless of what the DSM says. I don't think changes in the DSM book will affect anything in real life at all, because again, psychologists do whatever they feel like.

Possibly Black and White thinking (following a rule or criteria), the need for classifications to avoid cognitive dissonance. Could be fear of change as well, anxiety of possible disruption of routine or fear of loss of services or for some possibly a part of self-identity. To some it is insignificant or do not care what labels others apply or do not apply to them, to others it could mean much.

To me the DSM V criteria actually looks a bit less constrictive than DSM IV, but also the loss of PDD-NOS/Asperger's as an official medical classification is important, though it states that a person with ASD self-identifying with the classification of PDD-NOS or Asperger's is not discouraged or incorrect. More or less the change is for medical personnel, but that might be important to some as well as it could seem less "official". Personally I like the term ASD more than Asperger's due to pronunciation and clarity, so it works well with my thinking.

At first I didn't like the change and the idea of having to be re-diagnosed or losing my diagnosis temporarily but now I agree with you, OP.

I have to agree with the OP. As far as doctors, psychologists, and the rest of that ilk go, I've spent too much money and gotten nothing in return--at least as it concerns my AS. Everything of value I have learned either through doing my own research or the people here at WP. I couldn't care less what the APA thinks.

As a therapist, I can tell you that there are two types of people (besides the therapist) who care about diagnoses: people who approve financial claims (insurance agents, SSI representatives, etc.) and people who seek these benefits and other accommodations (parents looking to get their kid on an IEP, adults looking for extra support at work, etc.).
I am neither, so I'm not terribly concerned what the DSM-V says (on a personal level).

I agree that there is more at stake for people who rely on their diagnosis for any kind of support. I also think that it is always interesting to keep up to date on the current "professional" thinking on the matter.

Ann makes a good point. For those who live in countries with socialized medicine, or for those on public assistance of some kind, the official diagnosis may be critically important. Neither apply to me, so I can afford not to be concerned. My only concern is finding ways to deal better with my AS.

I also like to understand the latest scientific findings insofar as I can use the conclusions to improve my life in some way. I can do this apart from what the DSM V says or doesn't say though.

I haven't been dwelling on the changes in the DSM. I know it has bothered some, but I have just gone on without worrying about it. I know who I am, and I don't need redefinitions of already established things to tell me who I am.

My DX is getting updated anyway, so it's a moot point for me.

Shrinks and their labels come and go like pills. Best to avoid them.

It hasn't even really changed: AS and AD are now under ASD.

have argued with people on this subject as well because they think the change is only affecting autists with aspergers,they seem to forget about the rest of us it has an impact on to as we also have to get a rediagnosis,am not arsed in own situation as already see a LD pysch twice a week long term.
for people who have to wait months [NHS] or pay to access services [eg, ireland,america] its a PITA,the seven year old son of a cousin of mine in donegal,ireland was diagnosed in april with PDDNOS,told cousin she shoud have waited till post may and saved herself the time,money and stress itll take getting it changed;it was done using the DSM as the ICD doesnt have PDDNOS as far as am aware.

aparently everyone who has been diagnosed on the spectrum somewhere,pre DSM V will need to get reassessed for a new label within ten years for the diagnosis to remain.
but also,people have to remember if it actualy was even the DSM manual they were diagnosed with anyway,as it coud have been the ICD manual, and doing a bit of C+P from the manuals wikipedia article- the ICD-11 scheduled for 2015,so theres still time for it to go either way.

Mine will be getting updated on October 1st.

I don't get the big deal either. In the UK, you're not diagnosed (including children) with Aspergers any more - it's just ASD now.

The difference between AS and HFA is minimal anyway. Not sure what difference it makes as to what your diagnosis is.

If that were true then the act of changing it to begin with would be meaningless and wasted effort, so why change it at all at that point?

Who really cares, anyway? it's the same symptoms, only with a different label.

We are people, not labels.