Asperger’s–Six Years After Diagnostic Changes
Written by SAPL on December 23rd, 2019 in Education.
Wired is such a great read for Aspergers. Not only is it filled with so much tech and geeky news, but it has also published a version of an Asperger assessment created by Simon Baron-Cohen.
A few weeks ago marked the 6th anniversary of what some call victory or defeat. The re-naming of Asperger’s to autism in the U.S. diagnostics criteria, making Asperger’s no longer relevant as far as an official syndrome goes.
But the U.S. diagnostics did more than create categories. They created an entire culture, so says Wired in an article. And that culture is thriving more than ever, regardless of anyone’s definition of a syndrome.
The upside to these changes is that more individuals may be able to receive services not covered in the Asperger category, since it has traditionally been considered highly functional. Those who consider the new diagnostic categories to be a defeat emphasize how diverse the spectrum is. Placing everyone in an autism category may mean less suitable services for those functioning on the higher end of the spectrum, a highlight Temple Grandin, renown autism advocate, has stated.
Regardless of how you feel about the changes, those who consider themselves Asperger still appreciate its recognition, diagnostically or not. Wired reports that in larger cities, there have been many types of organized groups promoting the term through intellectual and entertainment events.
As one commenter said on this blog several years ago when the change was made:
“The term is much used in the international autism community and is part of many people’s identities. It is likely that many in the US will continue to say that they have Asperger’s, despite the changes.”
Or, as Wired states:
“A change in the language isn’t going to disrupt that connection.”
