DSM-5 ASD Severity Scale 0-3
Is there? Somewhere other than the posting box, I presume? :-/
I used to write the odd bit of poetry myself. I was mostly thinking of non-fictional writing, though, since, while I liked reading stories, I had no knack for thinking them up. I harbour a faint dream of writing short stories, but I still have to think of the plots first... <_<.
I'll look up a few Wallace Stevens poems, but I should be in bed right now, tbh: long day ahead tomorrow...
Of course, all diagnostic criteria are inherently imprecise.
I would interpret Level 2 as being a clinical state wherein autistic behaviors are still present DESPITE the presence of support. However, there is improvement in the ability to manage these behaviors.
I would interpret Level 1 as being a clinical state wherein autistic behaviors are mitigated, at least somewhat, by the presence of support.
ASPartOfMe
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Based on that research, I feel compelled to reassert that It's just wrong to equate level 1 ASD and Aspergers.
Consider again the communication and RRIB requirements for level 2 ASD:
Inflexibility of behavior, difficulty coping with change, or other restricted/repetitive behaviors appear frequently enough to be obvious to the casual observer and interfere with functioning in a variety of contexts. Distress and/or difficulty changing focus or action.
Many people with Aspergers have RRIB that are "obvious to the casual observer and interfere with functioning in a variety of contexts." Many people with Aspergers meet level 2 criteria for communication difficulties.
There are undoubtedly many people with an Aspergers diagnosis who meet level 1 criteria and also people with an Aspergers diagnosis who meet level 3 criteria, though the language criteria probably do make this a much smaller group.
But let's not be dishonest about an Aspergers diagnosis: it by no means signifies level 1 severity and there are many people with the diagnosis who are not functional without support.
Now that it is a colloquial word people can and are doing whatever the f**k they want with it. Now it is either a stereoytype for elitist/ablest/excuse maker/faker or a bright socially awkward person with no acknowledgement of the effort put into "passing" as almost "normal". You can see below what I was diagnosed with in 2013 just as the change happened so I was given both because nobody knew what was going to happen so ASD was thrown in with no level. Back then lot of people actually thought that Aspergers would be put back in the "DSM 5.1" . Now there is no mention of it. I am not at all the highest end so maybe I am a level 2 or more likely something in between 1 and 2. The word will always hold great emotional resonance for me as that was the word used when I found out I was on the Autism Spectrum and it was a diagnosis that described me well. Out of habit I will continue to use it but I know deep down it I know it only kind of is something that only kind of describes me these days. I have been metaphorically thrown out.
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Professionally Identified and joined WP August 26, 2013
DSM 5: Autism Spectrum Disorder, DSM IV: Aspergers Moderate Severity
It is Autism Acceptance Month
“My autism is not a superpower. It also isn’t some kind of god-forsaken, endless fountain of suffering inflicted on my family. It’s just part of who I am as a person”. - Sara Luterman