Yep. Aspergers is no longer listed in the DSM. Neither is Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD)-not otherwise specified. They are all under the umbrella of autistic spectrum disorder. I think t he day may come with many ADHD kids will also be listed on the spectrum because there isn't much of a difference in my opinion. ADHD labels get a lack of interventioins because nobody takes ADHD seriously...yet often they are as impaired as any kid on the spectrum. I have one little guy (age four) on my bus who has an ADHD label, but he is clearly with many spectrum behaviors, but, although he can't sit still and hits people next to him and screams in a very annoying way, he is not getting the services a special needs child should get. Clearly, he is not your "normal" four year old and the other kids (all his same age peers) do not have much tolerance for his annoying behavior. I feel so badly for him. I have to sit beside him on the bus or he'll take off his seat belt and make annoying sounds. He is the only child out of 20 who does that.
