Asperger's Officially Placed Inside Autism Spectrum

CrazyinVA

Well-Known Member
Staff member
I was surprised not to see this here yet so wanted to share it (or did I miss it?). It seems like significant enough news to warrant a posting here vs. the News thread, but please move if necessary. I've now head three stories on NPR about it, here is an excerpt from the first:

Asperger's syndrome is really just a form of autism and does not merit a separate diagnosis, according to a panel of researchers assembled by the American Psychiatric Association.

Even though many researchers already refer to Asperger's as high-functioning autism, it hasn't been listed under the autism category in the official diagnostic guide of mental disorders, called the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, or DSM. The DSM serves as a guide for mental health professionals and government agencies.

But a new draft fifth edition released Wednesday moves Asperger's officially into the autism category, provoking a wide range of responses among people with Asperger's — some of whom say they do not want to be labeled as autistic.
Full story here: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123527833

A couple of related stories:

People With Asperger's Assess Their Place On The Autism Spectrum
http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2010/02/people_with_aspergers_assess_t.html

Removal Of Asperger's To Change Special Education Access
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123577220
 

LittleDudesMom

Well-Known Member
Thanks for posting this Crazy. I found the last link, "Removal of Aspergers to Change Special Education Access" particularly interesting.....at first I thought, "this would be a good thing" in relation to qualifying for services since Autism is more recognized with schools in regards to services. But the article brings up some good points on the other side. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

Thanks again for posting this.

Sharon
 
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