Re:Asperger's diagnosis change in DSM-V

[Guest guest]

I hadn't heard this. In one way it makes sense since ASD is really

what it is believed to be. I usually end up using both terms now

anyway. High functioning is another term I use and will probably

continue to use even if AS fades away. I have got to add that asperger

is not a great word for obvious reasons. If it was something cooler, I

might miss it.

As for designer diagnosises, nothing will stop then skeptics. I've

never personally run into anyone who seemed to think AS was a good

thing, but there are those who think we are overreacting and crying

for attention or special treatment.

Our son clearly has issues that impair his ability to hang with peers.

He needs help. That is clear no matter what it is called. I also don't

doubt that other kids whose parents are crying out ADD or ADHD or

ABCDEFG also need help. The real question is what can society do, or

not do, for these families. It's a far more complex and toxic world

than humans were designed for; it's no wonder there are so many

challenges. And our expertise as a culture is constantly growing in

all areas, so it is no wonder that we are able to discern more subtle

differences and give them names. The names help a lot, but also can

never be entirely accurate, due to the inherent complexity of human

function.

I would wonder about he dsm-v change from a purely practical viewpoint

as to how it might effect services and treatment, and I don't know

that answer. But it is persoanlly meaningless.

Sent from my iPhone

[Guest guest]

My son's school guidance counselor is fighting this change. She has advanced

degrees in autism spectrum disorders and is the district expert on asperger

syndrome. She feels that important details will be lost if the dx goes. Then

kids with asperger syndrome will be stuck in programs for kids with more severe

difficulties. This became a big problem for us when we were in Texas. The

special ed people working with didn't understand AS at ALL and they didn't

get that with asperger syndrome the worst behavior can be verbal behavior. They

were more accustomed to dealing with non-verbal kids. So I know how terribly

wrong it can go. They saw both asperger syndrome and autism on his IEP and went

with what they knew. Then they punished him for his difficult verbal behavior.

Because he presented as being so high functioning they decided he didn't really

NEED any services and just took everything out except speech therapy. Then when

he went bonkers they blamed me, the blamed our move from land to Texas, they

blamed and they tried to say he was emotionally disturbed. They restrained

him, put him in a room by himself. OMG, it was horrible. So I'm not thrilled

with the changes proposed.

>

> I hadn't heard this. In one way it makes sense since ASD is really

> what it is believed to be. I usually end up using both terms now

> anyway. High functioning is another term I use and will probably

> continue to use even if AS fades away. I have got to add that asperger

> is not a great word for obvious reasons. If it was something cooler, I

> might miss it.

>

> As for designer diagnosises, nothing will stop then skeptics. I've

> never personally run into anyone who seemed to think AS was a good

> thing, but there are those who think we are overreacting and crying

> for attention or special treatment.

>

> Our son clearly has issues that impair his ability to hang with peers.

> He needs help. That is clear no matter what it is called. I also don't

> doubt that other kids whose parents are crying out ADD or ADHD or

> ABCDEFG also need help. The real question is what can society do, or

> not do, for these families. It's a far more complex and toxic world

> than humans were designed for; it's no wonder there are so many

> challenges. And our expertise as a culture is constantly growing in

> all areas, so it is no wonder that we are able to discern more subtle

> differences and give them names. The names help a lot, but also can

> never be entirely accurate, due to the inherent complexity of human

> function.

>

> I would wonder about he dsm-v change from a purely practical viewpoint

> as to how it might effect services and treatment, and I don't know

> that answer. But it is persoanlly meaningless.

>

>

>

> Sent from my iPhone

>