New revisions causes stir among Autism, Asperger’s community
by JD Bray | gargoyle@flagler.edu
The American Psychiatric Association proposed a controversial change in February to its manual that would make Asperger’s syndrome part of autism spectrum disorders rather than a separate diagnosis. In the current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, which helps health professionals identify conditions, it is not listed under autism.
“I think there’s going to be a lot of concern in the community about that,” said Angelo Martinez, executive director of The Jericho School, a private school in Jacksonville, Fla. that specializes in teaching children with autism and developmental disabilities. Students with autism at Flagler College would be impacted by revisions to the manual, but Martinez is unsure the changes are beneficial.
“I do think there should be a different diagnosis,” he said. “It can be potentially detrimental to children with Asperger’s and also to families who are trying to have a better understanding of their child with Asperger’s.”
The revisions are considered for the DSM’s fifth edition, which comes out in 2013.
Elizabeth Boyd, the college advocacy chair for Autism Speaks, a national autism advocacy organization, agrees with the proposed changes. “(Autism spectrum disorders) is just a term that’s used for the government to determine what services they have to pay for. It would give individuals with Asperger’s, specifically children, more access to services,” Boyd said.
Both of Boyd’s younger brothers have forms of autism and Asperger’s. But Asperger’s advocates think differently because of autism’s stigma.
“Mainly, the negative response that I’ve heard is from those who have very high-functioning children that they don’t want to be labeled as autistic,” she said. “They don’t want people to assume things. I can understand that, but it doesn’t make Asperger’s go away.”
Martinez agrees with the changes, but is concerned that children with Asperger’s will fall by the wayside. “It gives more understanding of people with pervasive development disorders, but children with Asperger’s are unique from those with autism,” he said.
Lynn Brueske-Walton, assistant professor psychology at Flagler College, thinks the issue should be about funding rather than autism’s stigma. “The changes will give those with Asperger’s treatment,” she said. “Right now, parents are having to pay out of pocket for diagnosis, treatments and medications.”
Martinez believes that the most difficult part is having parents understand the scope of the diagnoses. “There should be a separate diagnosis, but we’ve got to educate people about the issue at hand,” he said.
The American Psychiatric Association is currently accepting comments and recommendations on the draft for DSM-5.
St. Augustine, FL
I am a researcher in the areas of autism and aspergers. While autism and aspergers are definitely big issues in children, more than 70% of adults on autism spectrum have aspergers syndrome. In terms of whether Aspergers is a separate disorder, I think that more research is required to understand the genetics and molecular mechanisms behind it. Until then it seems to me that Aspergers should belong to the Autism spectrum. It is called spectrum anyway. I am sure that in the future these diagnoses will eventually separate, but we need to know more about the underlying causes.
Thanks.
There is a new school in Ormond Beach that caters to students with autism. It’s all new, and they are so helpful and understanding. It’s called The Chase Academy. They had a school last year in South Daytona, but grew and have two locations now. I think one is in West Volusia, but the other one is on Beville Rd in Ormond Beach. Check them out. Their staff is so knowledgeable and kind. The director is Mimi Lundell, and she is just so down to earth and the students of that school have made so much progress. It’s really worth looking into.
I guess they are reacting (over-reacting?) to the huge rise in mis-diagnosis among kids and teens. It has become the “fashionable” thing for parents to push doctors for, if they have a kid who is just a run-of-the-mill obnoxious stupid little pest, and who is starting to get into serious trouble at a tight-ass school. That’s an incredibly common scenario. So the moms panic and demand an Aspergers diagnosis for thick-as-sh*t aggressive Little Jimmy, then the school can’t touch him. But the rise of this new “elastic Asperger’s” does no-one any favors, certainly not the people who _really_ have it. That said, the aspie community is _way_ over-sensitive to labels. Aspergers is a part of the autistic spectrum – get used to it, people.
Children with autism are different,intellegent but not less.I don’t understand the misconception that if your autistic your “slow”a word I have learned to dislike since my child’s diagnoses.why people feel to be autistic is beneath them is silly.it is what it is deal with it an move on.love your child no matter what.while i do agree that if there is a difference in aspergers syndrom than autism then yes keep it as is so they get the proper treatment therapy wise.but not if it’s a status issue that’s just silly.We are all God’s children and we are all special.psalm139 tells us we were all made in God’s own image so therefore how you are is no mistake or accident.God has a purpose for everyone even those with the most severe needs.How can we expect others in the typical ,average family life to accept our children if we are not ok with it.show mercy and grace and it will be given on to you.