Aspergers and name change on the DSM???

[butterfly113]

Our Asperger diagnosis is fairly recent, from last fall. Since then, I have heard a few mention that they are no longer calling it Aspergers. Or that they are going to change the name.

Is this so? Why would they change the name? How will this affect those with an Asperger diagnosis?

NOTE: I don't want any debates... as I have heard a few are quite upset about all of this. I am just trying to get the facts straight and understand what it all means. Thanks! :001_smile:

[EKS]

My son was diagnosed and then undiagnosed with Asperger's. I think that if nothing else, changing the name to something that has the word autism in it will probably cut down on the number of bandwagon diagnoses of kids who are extremely bright and quirky (as my son is), but who don't have the core deficits of autism.

[KarenAnne]

It depends. I don't know yet what the wording is going to be or how the diagnosis process will be set up: would any child have to meet the definition of classical autism now, or will Asperger characteristics be part of the diagnostic criteria? I can imagine that if the diagnosis now depends on classical autistism elements, kids with Asperger's will be shut out of the diagnosis. If Asperger elements remain part of the diagnostic description, they'll fall under the general label of autism and thus be eligible for therapies and funding for help that now tends to fall quite often on the parents to pay privately. I don't think anybody knows just yet which way the wind is blowing.

[Momto2Ns]

Actually, it is still Aspergers for now. The new change to Autistic Spectrum Disorder is in the proposed DSM V. This is still under review and is available for public comment. If it is accepted then all those with spectrum disorders such as PDD-NOS and Aspergers will be grouped together under one name.

There is a potential benefit of being able to get services more easily with the new ASD label, but also a potential for those on the fringes no longer getting a diagnosis at all which might cause them to lose services. There will be many opinions, but once it is decided the fact is we will all adapt.