Is Aspergers trendy?
24 May 2014, 12:14 pm
Acedia wrote:
Yes, Asperger Syndrome is trendy. It really and truly is. There's so much romanticism around the condition, and so many people who wrongly self-diagnose. It is a coveted condition. I was diagnosed in early adolescence when no one knew what the condition was, and I never thought this word would become so widespread, and that so many people would claim to also be the same.
Where were these kids back when I was diagnosed? It's over-diagnosed.
Asperger Syndrome has gone from being a developmental disability - where the the person affected has profound difficulties with social integration from the beginning of life, to a condition for people who are socially awkward/depressed/gifted.
It's being used as a catch-all explanation for other mental health issues. And a misapprehension of the criteria means a lot of people like to think they're on the spectrum. Usually over extremely mild traits. A lot of the recently diagnosed on this board admit to not being able to relate to some parts of the criteria, and they also admit to not having many symptoms.
And the usual defence of this, "it's a spectrum" excuse, or you've only met one aspie. If you deviate so much from the criteria, it means you don't have it. All aspies should have two things in common, they fit the criteria (mostly) and have significant impairments.
I honestly believe the rise in the "autism is a difference" activism is because of such people. These people want to re-define autism so they can be included. And there have been papers arguing for AS to be completely thought of as simply as a difference, similarly to homosexuality, all because of their activism. They actually reviewed blogs written by such people and came to the conclusion that AS should no longer be thought of as a disability.
But why these researchers would actually think that these bloggers are representative of the AS community as a whole is erroneous. I sometimes think the diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome can't be justified any more if they going to make it so wide, as to include people who have no developmental issues whatsoever. A separate category is needed. Unfortunately efforts to do this haven't changed anything.
It's AS what people want to get diagnosed with.
Where were these kids back when I was diagnosed? It's over-diagnosed.
Asperger Syndrome has gone from being a developmental disability - where the the person affected has profound difficulties with social integration from the beginning of life, to a condition for people who are socially awkward/depressed/gifted.
It's being used as a catch-all explanation for other mental health issues. And a misapprehension of the criteria means a lot of people like to think they're on the spectrum. Usually over extremely mild traits. A lot of the recently diagnosed on this board admit to not being able to relate to some parts of the criteria, and they also admit to not having many symptoms.
And the usual defence of this, "it's a spectrum" excuse, or you've only met one aspie. If you deviate so much from the criteria, it means you don't have it. All aspies should have two things in common, they fit the criteria (mostly) and have significant impairments.
I honestly believe the rise in the "autism is a difference" activism is because of such people. These people want to re-define autism so they can be included. And there have been papers arguing for AS to be completely thought of as simply as a difference, similarly to homosexuality, all because of their activism. They actually reviewed blogs written by such people and came to the conclusion that AS should no longer be thought of as a disability.
But why these researchers would actually think that these bloggers are representative of the AS community as a whole is erroneous. I sometimes think the diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome can't be justified any more if they going to make it so wide, as to include people who have no developmental issues whatsoever. A separate category is needed. Unfortunately efforts to do this haven't changed anything.
It's AS what people want to get diagnosed with.
I completely agree with you. I'm sick of every depressed and socially awkward person diagnosing themselves with autism. I also hate the female aspie traits list. It's just way too broad and it could describe any anxious or depressed girl. One day there will be misdiagnosed people speaking up, but for now we only get to hear about the people who were undiagnosed. I'm sick of this pro-label bs. I kind of miss when quirky people were just allowed to be quirky without being diagnosed with something.
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24 May 2014, 12:15 pm
Yeah, I don't think quirky people without impairment need a label. What they need is for people to stop excluding them because they're quirky.
Still, they do have a lot in common with autistics. I for one have always made friends much more easily with eccentrics than with middle-of-the-road neurotypicals. Don't exclude them--they've seen enough of that already!
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daydreamer84
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24 May 2014, 12:18 pm
DevilKisses wrote:
Acedia wrote:
Yes, Asperger Syndrome is trendy. It really and truly is. There's so much romanticism around the condition, and so many people who wrongly self-diagnose. It is a coveted condition. I was diagnosed in early adolescence when no one knew what the condition was, and I never thought this word would become so widespread, and that so many people would claim to also be the same.
Where were these kids back when I was diagnosed? It's over-diagnosed.
Asperger Syndrome has gone from being a developmental disability - where the the person affected has profound difficulties with social integration from the beginning of life, to a condition for people who are socially awkward/depressed/gifted.
It's being used as a catch-all explanation for other mental health issues. And a misapprehension of the criteria means a lot of people like to think they're on the spectrum. Usually over extremely mild traits. A lot of the recently diagnosed on this board admit to not being able to relate to some parts of the criteria, and they also admit to not having many symptoms.
And the usual defence of this, "it's a spectrum" excuse, or you've only met one aspie. If you deviate so much from the criteria, it means you don't have it. All aspies should have two things in common, they fit the criteria (mostly) and have significant impairments.
I honestly believe the rise in the "autism is a difference" activism is because of such people. These people want to re-define autism so they can be included. And there have been papers arguing for AS to be completely thought of as simply as a difference, similarly to homosexuality, all because of their activism. They actually reviewed blogs written by such people and came to the conclusion that AS should no longer be thought of as a disability.
But why these researchers would actually think that these bloggers are representative of the AS community as a whole is erroneous. I sometimes think the diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome can't be justified any more if they going to make it so wide, as to include people who have no developmental issues whatsoever. A separate category is needed. Unfortunately efforts to do this haven't changed anything.
It's AS what people want to get diagnosed with.
Where were these kids back when I was diagnosed? It's over-diagnosed.
Asperger Syndrome has gone from being a developmental disability - where the the person affected has profound difficulties with social integration from the beginning of life, to a condition for people who are socially awkward/depressed/gifted.
It's being used as a catch-all explanation for other mental health issues. And a misapprehension of the criteria means a lot of people like to think they're on the spectrum. Usually over extremely mild traits. A lot of the recently diagnosed on this board admit to not being able to relate to some parts of the criteria, and they also admit to not having many symptoms.
And the usual defence of this, "it's a spectrum" excuse, or you've only met one aspie. If you deviate so much from the criteria, it means you don't have it. All aspies should have two things in common, they fit the criteria (mostly) and have significant impairments.
I honestly believe the rise in the "autism is a difference" activism is because of such people. These people want to re-define autism so they can be included. And there have been papers arguing for AS to be completely thought of as simply as a difference, similarly to homosexuality, all because of their activism. They actually reviewed blogs written by such people and came to the conclusion that AS should no longer be thought of as a disability.
But why these researchers would actually think that these bloggers are representative of the AS community as a whole is erroneous. I sometimes think the diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome can't be justified any more if they going to make it so wide, as to include people who have no developmental issues whatsoever. A separate category is needed. Unfortunately efforts to do this haven't changed anything.
It's AS what people want to get diagnosed with.
I completely agree with you. I'm sick of every depressed and socially awkward person diagnosing themselves with autism. I also hate the female aspie traits list. It's just way too broad and it could describe any anxious or depressed girl. One day there will be misdiagnosed people speaking up, but for now we only get to hear about the people who were undiagnosed. I'm sick of this pro-label bs. I kind of miss when quirky people were just allowed to be quirky without being diagnosed with something.
Yeah, I hate those "traits of girls with Asperger's" lists. Now, every girl who has one or tow intense interests and is passionate about social justice and fairness will think they have ASD. Nearly everyone in my Library Science program could be diagnosed based on those criteria.
Also, some people see their traits in lists online or articles discussing the disorder and might assume they have the disorder but having some of the traits doesn't equal having the disorder as was pointed out in the thread about ASD and murderers.
*ETA- I also agree with Callista's point in the post above. People with autistic traits who hear them discussed should be able to discuss them freely on forums like this and have community and identify as someone with these traits and not be excluded. However they don't need (and shouldn't) be diagnosed with a full fledged disorder if they don't have one.
Last edited by daydreamer84 on 24 May 2014, 12:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.
btbnnyr
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24 May 2014, 12:38 pm
Acedia wrote:
Yes, Asperger Syndrome is trendy. It really and truly is. There's so much romanticism around the condition, and so many people who wrongly self-diagnose. It is a coveted condition. I was diagnosed in early adolescence when no one knew what the condition was, and I never thought this word would become so widespread, and that so many people would claim to also be the same.
Where were these kids back when I was diagnosed? It's over-diagnosed.
Asperger Syndrome has gone from being a developmental disability - where the the person affected has profound difficulties with social integration from the beginning of life, to a condition for people who are socially awkward/depressed/gifted.
It's being used as a catch-all explanation for other mental health issues. And a misapprehension of the criteria means a lot of people like to think they're on the spectrum. Usually over extremely mild traits. A lot of the recently diagnosed on this board admit to not being able to relate to some parts of the criteria, and they also admit to not having many symptoms.
And the usual defence of this, "it's a spectrum" excuse, or you've only met one aspie. If you deviate so much from the criteria, it means you don't have it. All aspies should have two things in common, they fit the criteria (mostly) and have significant impairments.
I honestly believe the rise in the "autism is a difference" activism is because of such people. These people want to re-define autism so they can be included. And there have been papers arguing for AS to be completely thought of as simply as a difference, similarly to homosexuality, all because of their activism. They actually reviewed blogs written by such people and came to the conclusion that AS should no longer be thought of as a disability.
But why these researchers would actually think that these bloggers are representative of the AS community as a whole is erroneous. I sometimes think the diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome can't be justified any more if they going to make it so wide, as to include people who have no developmental issues whatsoever. A separate category is needed. Unfortunately efforts to do this haven't changed anything.
It's AS what people want to get diagnosed with.
Where were these kids back when I was diagnosed? It's over-diagnosed.
Asperger Syndrome has gone from being a developmental disability - where the the person affected has profound difficulties with social integration from the beginning of life, to a condition for people who are socially awkward/depressed/gifted.
It's being used as a catch-all explanation for other mental health issues. And a misapprehension of the criteria means a lot of people like to think they're on the spectrum. Usually over extremely mild traits. A lot of the recently diagnosed on this board admit to not being able to relate to some parts of the criteria, and they also admit to not having many symptoms.
And the usual defence of this, "it's a spectrum" excuse, or you've only met one aspie. If you deviate so much from the criteria, it means you don't have it. All aspies should have two things in common, they fit the criteria (mostly) and have significant impairments.
I honestly believe the rise in the "autism is a difference" activism is because of such people. These people want to re-define autism so they can be included. And there have been papers arguing for AS to be completely thought of as simply as a difference, similarly to homosexuality, all because of their activism. They actually reviewed blogs written by such people and came to the conclusion that AS should no longer be thought of as a disability.
But why these researchers would actually think that these bloggers are representative of the AS community as a whole is erroneous. I sometimes think the diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome can't be justified any more if they going to make it so wide, as to include people who have no developmental issues whatsoever. A separate category is needed. Unfortunately efforts to do this haven't changed anything.
It's AS what people want to get diagnosed with.
I agree. I find the "autism is a difference people, not a disability" particularly annoying. But these days whenever I see an article about ASD the comments are full of people telling me what a wonderful career, life, and spouse they have and that ASD is a difference. Unfortunately, the public read these comments don't think we don't need help. If your life is so wonderful you probably don't have ASD. I'm tired of hearing people say ASD is a gift. It's not a gift, It's a disability.
24 May 2014, 1:04 pm
Because there is so much diversity of expression within the diagnostic category 'Asperger's Syndrome' it's nearly impossible to draw any single conclusion. Of course, we all know of marked impairments that certainly are limiting. But those 'slight touches' of AS can, under other circumstances, be advantageous, even charming (e.g., characters on 'The Big Bang Theory'). Studies in abnormal psychology demonstrate that it's really only a matter of degree.
Next point, I really do feel sorry for people who suffer from drastically debilitating mental illness. For a notable example, schizophrenics face a torturous life. Think crippling OCD, major depressive disorders......yikes. This may sound strange, but Thank God, minus the religious aspect, that I am an Aspie. I almost cannot think of a better condition to "suffer" from. To the best of my knowledge, Asperger's is the only mental condition that actually can have perks.
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24 May 2014, 2:07 pm
Callista wrote:
The statement, "Why would ANYONE want to be diagnosed with it when they don't have it? That makes no sense!" is spot-on. Aside from the occasional munchausen syndrome case, people don't want a mental health diagnosis unless they actually have some kind of problem that they think the diagnosis could help with.
That's not necessarily true: I've read of a disturbing number of cases in which people who showed no signs of a mental illness suddenly started claiming to have OCD, or bipolar, or depression, and exhibiting "symptoms" of the disorders when they were around other people, when there was never anything wrong before. They don't have Munchausen's, they just inexplicably think having a label will make them seem cool or different. People can be pretty weird sometimes, especially the "special snowflake" types.
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24 May 2014, 2:21 pm
There were too many people to reply to so I chose your post to reply to/ask questions in bold, for anyone to answer. I'm not picking on you, just using your points as reference as they were thorough and Seemed to reflect others. My comments in bold.
DevilKisses wrote:
Acedia wrote:
Yes, Asperger Syndrome is trendy. It really and truly is. There's so much romanticism around the condition, and so many people who wrongly self-diagnose. It is a coveted condition. I was diagnosed in early adolescence when no one knew what the condition was, and I never thought this word would become so widespread, and that so many people would claim to also be the same.
How come you have such a hard time? Is it because where you live there is now a view of AS that is too positive now? Do people expect you to be a genius and to have gotten so much support you should be fine now?
Where were these kids back when I was diagnosed? It's over-diagnosed.
I do think that it probably is over-diagnosed to explain the results of middle/upper class bad parenting (like "oh i try everything but little johnny is hyperactive and wont focus", Because the parents are seen as well-spoken and intelligent the possibility of neglect or abuse is not considered as a cause- this is chicken/egg scenario though and could only be proven if the child was then given good parenting/schooling and didn't make much improvement) and lots of disorders (like ADHD) are often misdiagnosed to explain lower class bad parenting (like the kid over the road who functions brilliantly when he comes in to my garden and I engage him in conversation instead of shouting "F**k off" at him all day. He may have ADHD but it wouldn't even be a problem if he got ANY stimulation). However, said bad parenting can also come from an autistic parent remaining undiagnosed and not being able to deal with his/her resulting problems eg alcoholism for self-medicating. There is still a link made between attachment disorder and autism neurology).
The problem it is sometimes officially misdiagnosed, in my opinion, lies with the practitioner not being thorough enough and basing their decision in any way on what they can SEE, or purely on the test results. I HATE dealing with ticky-box people. Some people have other disorders and yes, I can see why they would find now find it more appealing to be called an "Aspie", to be able to feel part of a community instead of just being lumped into another box.
Maybe (and this is what I think of myself, along with the fact my entire family are borderline/BAPs so there were some upbringing factors), some who self-diagnose were so self-aware from an early age (everyone is somewhere on a scale of introspectiveness, either from genes or from upbringing) and natural "actors" that they can blend in to the background, unnoticed. Medical professionals really do think the professor stereotype is the only way it can present
Asperger Syndrome has gone from being a developmental disability - where the the person affected has profound difficulties with social integration from the beginning of life, to a condition for people who are socially awkward/depressed/gifted.
It's being used as a catch-all explanation for other mental health issues. And a misapprehension of the criteria means a lot of people like to think they're on the spectrum. Usually over extremely mild traits. A lot of the recently diagnosed on this board admit to not being able to relate to some parts of the criteria, and they also admit to not having many symptoms.
I can relate extremely with the criteria when you see the causal/neurological processes and the bigger picture of what it means (repetitive behaviour doesn't mean they only like one train set and will play with it to the exclusion of everything and everyone else), but if the person reading the diagnostic criteria thinks that's what it means because thats all they've seen in their clinic, they will miss even easy/obvious diagnoses.
I think the interpretation of mild traits is also a funny one. I may be seen as mild because I can hold a conversation with some/most people by adapting to the situation, and I have had jobs where I am in public, but it is often incredibly hard to do this if I don't have any reference to work on, like if the person is hard to read or they are not hard to offend, or when i am not clear on the instrictions i am given. Even if I "pass" I will probably go home and think "argh why did I say that?" or "this is the answer to that question- that is so simple but I had to lie and now I won't remember what they think about me for next time". And it's not because I hate myself, that i'm anxious or depressed in any way, or even that care about what they think about me; it's just that it didnt make sense that I couldn't appear to be nice/intelligent/interested (even if I genuinely am) AND respond with what my true thoughts/feelings. Although the person goes away from a convo with me thinking "that girl was sweet", it is usually because I have spent the whole time putting myself down, or excusing myself for sensory issues, or that I know what to say in an agony-aunt fashion.
And the usual defence of this, "it's a spectrum" excuse, or you've only met one aspie. If you deviate so much from the criteria, it means you don't have it. All aspies should have two things in common, they fit the criteria (mostly) and have significant impairments.
I agree, that people who don't have significant impairment to their lives, despite proof that they are working extremely hard to overcome them, using appropriate tools and making an effort to change their ways. I think they should ask "Have they tried diet/exercise. Have the problems remained even when the person was in a 'good place' in their life? Even when I felt completely happy and had a more defined sense of self my problems were always there and affected my job prospects and friendship and relationship choices.
I honestly believe the rise in the "autism is a difference" activism is because of such people. These people want to re-define autism so they can be included. And there have been papers arguing for AS to be completely thought of as simply as a difference, similarly to homosexuality, all because of their activism. They actually reviewed blogs written by such people and came to the conclusion that AS should no longer be thought of as a disability.
Yep, anyone who says autism is PURELY a difference, (it is purely a difference in the way the brain makes connections, but that still doesnt mean it isnt disabling), who isn't just saying it to be an activist or to challenge the negative views people have, doesn't need the diagnosis and should absolve themselves of it, and any additional help they are getting for daily things, and see how they cope!
But why these researchers would actually think that these bloggers are representative of the AS community as a whole is erroneous. I sometimes think the diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome can't be justified any more if they going to make it so wide, as to include people who have no developmental issues whatsoever. A separate category is needed. Unfortunately efforts to do this haven't changed anything.
It's AS what people want to get diagnosed with.
How come you have such a hard time? Is it because where you live there is now a view of AS that is too positive now? Do people expect you to be a genius and to have gotten so much support you should be fine now?
Where were these kids back when I was diagnosed? It's over-diagnosed.
I do think that it probably is over-diagnosed to explain the results of middle/upper class bad parenting (like "oh i try everything but little johnny is hyperactive and wont focus", Because the parents are seen as well-spoken and intelligent the possibility of neglect or abuse is not considered as a cause- this is chicken/egg scenario though and could only be proven if the child was then given good parenting/schooling and didn't make much improvement) and lots of disorders (like ADHD) are often misdiagnosed to explain lower class bad parenting (like the kid over the road who functions brilliantly when he comes in to my garden and I engage him in conversation instead of shouting "F**k off" at him all day. He may have ADHD but it wouldn't even be a problem if he got ANY stimulation). However, said bad parenting can also come from an autistic parent remaining undiagnosed and not being able to deal with his/her resulting problems eg alcoholism for self-medicating. There is still a link made between attachment disorder and autism neurology).
The problem it is sometimes officially misdiagnosed, in my opinion, lies with the practitioner not being thorough enough and basing their decision in any way on what they can SEE, or purely on the test results. I HATE dealing with ticky-box people. Some people have other disorders and yes, I can see why they would find now find it more appealing to be called an "Aspie", to be able to feel part of a community instead of just being lumped into another box.
Maybe (and this is what I think of myself, along with the fact my entire family are borderline/BAPs so there were some upbringing factors), some who self-diagnose were so self-aware from an early age (everyone is somewhere on a scale of introspectiveness, either from genes or from upbringing) and natural "actors" that they can blend in to the background, unnoticed. Medical professionals really do think the professor stereotype is the only way it can present
Asperger Syndrome has gone from being a developmental disability - where the the person affected has profound difficulties with social integration from the beginning of life, to a condition for people who are socially awkward/depressed/gifted.
It's being used as a catch-all explanation for other mental health issues. And a misapprehension of the criteria means a lot of people like to think they're on the spectrum. Usually over extremely mild traits. A lot of the recently diagnosed on this board admit to not being able to relate to some parts of the criteria, and they also admit to not having many symptoms.
I can relate extremely with the criteria when you see the causal/neurological processes and the bigger picture of what it means (repetitive behaviour doesn't mean they only like one train set and will play with it to the exclusion of everything and everyone else), but if the person reading the diagnostic criteria thinks that's what it means because thats all they've seen in their clinic, they will miss even easy/obvious diagnoses.
I think the interpretation of mild traits is also a funny one. I may be seen as mild because I can hold a conversation with some/most people by adapting to the situation, and I have had jobs where I am in public, but it is often incredibly hard to do this if I don't have any reference to work on, like if the person is hard to read or they are not hard to offend, or when i am not clear on the instrictions i am given. Even if I "pass" I will probably go home and think "argh why did I say that?" or "this is the answer to that question- that is so simple but I had to lie and now I won't remember what they think about me for next time". And it's not because I hate myself, that i'm anxious or depressed in any way, or even that care about what they think about me; it's just that it didnt make sense that I couldn't appear to be nice/intelligent/interested (even if I genuinely am) AND respond with what my true thoughts/feelings. Although the person goes away from a convo with me thinking "that girl was sweet", it is usually because I have spent the whole time putting myself down, or excusing myself for sensory issues, or that I know what to say in an agony-aunt fashion.
And the usual defence of this, "it's a spectrum" excuse, or you've only met one aspie. If you deviate so much from the criteria, it means you don't have it. All aspies should have two things in common, they fit the criteria (mostly) and have significant impairments.
I agree, that people who don't have significant impairment to their lives, despite proof that they are working extremely hard to overcome them, using appropriate tools and making an effort to change their ways. I think they should ask "Have they tried diet/exercise. Have the problems remained even when the person was in a 'good place' in their life? Even when I felt completely happy and had a more defined sense of self my problems were always there and affected my job prospects and friendship and relationship choices.
I honestly believe the rise in the "autism is a difference" activism is because of such people. These people want to re-define autism so they can be included. And there have been papers arguing for AS to be completely thought of as simply as a difference, similarly to homosexuality, all because of their activism. They actually reviewed blogs written by such people and came to the conclusion that AS should no longer be thought of as a disability.
Yep, anyone who says autism is PURELY a difference, (it is purely a difference in the way the brain makes connections, but that still doesnt mean it isnt disabling), who isn't just saying it to be an activist or to challenge the negative views people have, doesn't need the diagnosis and should absolve themselves of it, and any additional help they are getting for daily things, and see how they cope!
But why these researchers would actually think that these bloggers are representative of the AS community as a whole is erroneous. I sometimes think the diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome can't be justified any more if they going to make it so wide, as to include people who have no developmental issues whatsoever. A separate category is needed. Unfortunately efforts to do this haven't changed anything.
It's AS what people want to get diagnosed with.
I completely agree with you. I'm sick of every depressed and socially awkward person diagnosing themselves with autism. I also hate the female aspie traits list. It's just way too broad and it could describe any anxious or depressed girl.
That is very true, and all my friends have said "well that could be any of us", but what I want to know is how to let the medical professionals know I am not depressed at all (I have been depressed before and it feels VERY different) whilst still telling them how I struggle?
They are seeing it from their own viewpoint. For example, most people think if you cry in public it means you must be very upset at home, or that if you see things others don't (like reading someones true intentions when others would take them at face value) you are paranoid or over-analysing. If I get to the point I have to tell them they're being closed-minded or don't know enough about it to comment, they might decide I'm a difficult person because no-one likes to feel they are bad at their job, and diagnose me with a personality disorder to explain it, and if I use too much description to explain that I am/feel v diff in diff situations, or that my personality traits can be totally opposite characters (I would like to explain that I feel like a naive girl, but also a wise old Chinese man- this is always how I've felt- they might think it's more bipolar
One day there will be misdiagnosed people speaking up, but for now we only get to hear about the people who were undiagnosed. I'm sick of this pro-label bs. I kind of miss when quirky people were just allowed to be quirky without being diagnosed with something.
There already are a few on here who are not sure about their diagnosis, so they either don't know enough about the science yet, or they have actually been misdiagnosed. I hope they will start writing blogs etc so the whole thing is more balanced.
Not trying to be pedantic, but the 'problem' of quirkiness is not the same as the problem of autism, it is just one trait and it involves just those specific areas of the brain. It is like saying that anyone who has ever had (non-drug related) delusions or hallucinations has schizophrenia, when they could be caused by something else, eg a physical/emotional trauma. The diagnosis should include looking at ALL the traits and making sure there are enough to constitute autism.
As an extra point, despite the DSM having massive problems with how people will interpret their symptom list I think it is a good thing that they included aspergers as a sub-type of ASD. I think it will at least curb the idea that AS is cool, and somehow different to "uncool" autism. The term high functioning autism is ridiculous, because if you function well without a lot of help, then you don't have autism.
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btbnnyr
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24 May 2014, 2:26 pm
Scientifically, high-functioning autism only means autism with IQ > 70.
It doesn't say anything about your functioining level or how much help you need.
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24 May 2014, 2:35 pm
btbnnyr wrote:
Scientifically, high-functioning autism only means autism with IQ > 70.
It doesn't say anything about your functioining level or how much help you need.
It doesn't say anything about your functioining level or how much help you need.
But I think it gives the impression that they "function" well, or that anyone who hasn't got the particular skills to complete an IQ test (eg eyesight problems, inability to concentrate on the diagrams used or follow written instructions) is not intelligent.
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24 May 2014, 2:46 pm
Acedia wrote:
Yes, Asperger Syndrome is trendy. It really and truly is. There's so much romanticism around the condition, and so many people who wrongly self-diagnose. It is a coveted condition. I was diagnosed in early adolescence when no one knew what the condition was, and I never thought this word would become so widespread, and that so many people would claim to also be the same.
Where were these kids back when I was diagnosed? It's over-diagnosed.
Asperger Syndrome has gone from being a developmental disability - where the the person affected has profound difficulties with social integration from the beginning of life, to a condition for people who are socially awkward/depressed/gifted.
It's being used as a catch-all explanation for other mental health issues. And a misapprehension of the criteria means a lot of people like to think they're on the spectrum. Usually over extremely mild traits. A lot of the recently diagnosed on this board admit to not being able to relate to some parts of the criteria, and they also admit to not having many symptoms.
And the usual defence of this, "it's a spectrum" excuse, or you've only met one aspie. If you deviate so much from the criteria, it means you don't have it. All aspies should have two things in common, they fit the criteria (mostly) and have significant impairments.
I honestly believe the rise in the "autism is a difference" activism is because of such people. These people want to re-define autism so they can be included. And there have been papers arguing for AS to be completely thought of as simply as a difference, similarly to homosexuality, all because of their activism. They actually reviewed blogs written by such people and came to the conclusion that AS should no longer be thought of as a disability.
But why these researchers would actually think that these bloggers are representative of the AS community as a whole is erroneous. I sometimes think the diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome can't be justified any more if they going to make it so wide, as to include people who have no developmental issues whatsoever. A separate category is needed. Unfortunately efforts to do this haven't changed anything.
It's AS what people want to get diagnosed with.
Where were these kids back when I was diagnosed? It's over-diagnosed.
Asperger Syndrome has gone from being a developmental disability - where the the person affected has profound difficulties with social integration from the beginning of life, to a condition for people who are socially awkward/depressed/gifted.
It's being used as a catch-all explanation for other mental health issues. And a misapprehension of the criteria means a lot of people like to think they're on the spectrum. Usually over extremely mild traits. A lot of the recently diagnosed on this board admit to not being able to relate to some parts of the criteria, and they also admit to not having many symptoms.
And the usual defence of this, "it's a spectrum" excuse, or you've only met one aspie. If you deviate so much from the criteria, it means you don't have it. All aspies should have two things in common, they fit the criteria (mostly) and have significant impairments.
I honestly believe the rise in the "autism is a difference" activism is because of such people. These people want to re-define autism so they can be included. And there have been papers arguing for AS to be completely thought of as simply as a difference, similarly to homosexuality, all because of their activism. They actually reviewed blogs written by such people and came to the conclusion that AS should no longer be thought of as a disability.
But why these researchers would actually think that these bloggers are representative of the AS community as a whole is erroneous. I sometimes think the diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome can't be justified any more if they going to make it so wide, as to include people who have no developmental issues whatsoever. A separate category is needed. Unfortunately efforts to do this haven't changed anything.
It's AS what people want to get diagnosed with.
Exactly, unfortunately there will be those types in this thread who will try to explain away your post. Just ignore them, they are those annoying Broader Autism Phenotype activists...
Autism has led me to not be involved in life at all, not want marriage or a family, never call my parents, not relate to people. I don't even have friends on the internet or the same interests as anyone. I feel like a hermit in the middle of civilization. I work part time and rent a room cause I cant handle even the smallest bit of stress or change in routine...My life...is very small. Yeah it's a disability allright.
At the same time I need this life because it makes me happy. Having nothing makes me happy. I don't even know what to feel about that.
Oh right nothing.
_________________
In order to prevent being blasted into the stone age by an asteroid we better start colonizing space as soon as possible.
Just look at the dinosaurs, they died out because they didn't have a space program.
Last edited by Dreycrux on 24 May 2014, 2:56 pm, edited 3 times in total.
24 May 2014, 2:50 pm
LabPet wrote:
Because there is so much diversity of expression within the diagnostic category 'Asperger's Syndrome' it's nearly impossible to draw any single conclusion. Of course, we all know of marked impairments that certainly are limiting. But those 'slight touches' of AS can, under other circumstances, be advantageous, even charming (e.g., characters on 'The Big Bang Theory'). Studies in abnormal psychology demonstrate that it's really only a matter of degree.
Next point, I really do feel sorry for people who suffer from drastically debilitating mental illness. For a notable example, schizophrenics face a torturous life. Think crippling OCD, major depressive disorders......yikes. This may sound strange, but Thank God, minus the religious aspect, that I am an Aspie. I almost cannot think of a better condition to "suffer" from. To the best of my knowledge, Asperger's is the only mental condition that actually can have perks.
Next point, I really do feel sorry for people who suffer from drastically debilitating mental illness. For a notable example, schizophrenics face a torturous life. Think crippling OCD, major depressive disorders......yikes. This may sound strange, but Thank God, minus the religious aspect, that I am an Aspie. I almost cannot think of a better condition to "suffer" from. To the best of my knowledge, Asperger's is the only mental condition that actually can have perks.
bipolar disorder has perks of its own (manias/hypomanias can be extremely productive periods)--but they come with a heavy cost, so i suppose it balances out in the end.
24 May 2014, 3:27 pm
I was diagnosed as a Child, I can't really tell if it not it has helped me but I have limited myself because of my diagnoses and I really have only come to terms with doing this recently. I know I can do anything but its all the stigmas that mainly stop me for feeling I can do what I want. Also Autism is over diagnosed and also I believe with less assistance those with AS can grow to be independent better, I had assistance all through secondary school yes it meant I was comfortable but too comfortable and ended up in me having little independence and being able to do little for myself and feel generally secure.
24 May 2014, 4:30 pm
Everyone with ASD or AS or autism or PDDNOS or whatever I may have left out is different and everyone of us is disabled in some way. But I am not bringing my child up saying she is disabled, I tell her it's a difference. I hate that line, but for kids you just never know where they can go. Blind, deaf and diabetic kids, kids who are in wheelchairs can grow up to be (I think) happy and successful.
So can people with ASD. There will be areas we can't master. Areas of disability. We may not need to let this define us.
24 May 2014, 5:14 pm
LabPet wrote:
Because there is so much diversity of expression within the diagnostic category 'Asperger's Syndrome' it's nearly impossible to draw any single conclusion. Of course, we all know of marked impairments that certainly are limiting. But those 'slight touches' of AS can, under other circumstances, be advantageous, even charming (e.g., characters on 'The Big Bang Theory'). Studies in abnormal psychology demonstrate that it's really only a matter of degree.
Next point, I really do feel sorry for people who suffer from drastically debilitating mental illness. For a notable example, schizophrenics face a torturous life. Think crippling OCD, major depressive disorders......yikes. This may sound strange, but Thank God, minus the religious aspect, that I am an Aspie. I almost cannot think of a better condition to "suffer" from. To the best of my knowledge, Asperger's is the only mental condition that actually can have perks.
Next point, I really do feel sorry for people who suffer from drastically debilitating mental illness. For a notable example, schizophrenics face a torturous life. Think crippling OCD, major depressive disorders......yikes. This may sound strange, but Thank God, minus the religious aspect, that I am an Aspie. I almost cannot think of a better condition to "suffer" from. To the best of my knowledge, Asperger's is the only mental condition that actually can have perks.
For every one person on the spectrum with perks there are 100 who are disabled in some way. I have to agree with something another person said on WP- It seems to me that often people are basing their idea of what autism is like on written posts that they have read over the years on WP. WP is not the face of autism. There are many people who write posts here who seem relatively normal based on their writing but if you met them in person, they would be much more impaired Than their writing style indicates. Kingdomofrats and Ezra are 2 of my fellow WPers, who I am very proud of, that most people would not realize were on the spectrum based on their writing, but who face significant challenges in the real world. And there are many other examples on WP. There is a reason that the unemployment rate in ASD is higher than downs syndrome and on par with blindness and it's not because ASD has perks. In addition, there is much research that shows up to 70% of people on the spectrum suffer from depression. The instances of clinical levels of anxiety are also found in the majority of people on the spectrum. Is it any wonder that some sources suggest suicide is 20 times more likely in ASD than the general population?
I am happy that you find benefit from Asperger's, but just be aware there a lot of fellow WPers whose lives are completely upside down because of Asperger's. I hope you don't feel I'm singling you out or picking on you, because that is certainly not my intent. You are my people. I just want people on WP and elsewhere to be cognizant of the fact that although Asperger's has the label "high functioning" it is still one of the most debilitating conditions that a person can have. In fact, the whole high functioning label in my opinion is a huge disservice to people on the spectrum because people look at the words high functioning in a vacuum rather than related to the low functioning end of the spectrum. It's like labeling a double amputee high functioning because their arms were amputated below the elbow, rather than above the elbow. One may be called high functioning, but obviously their life is going to be severely impacted nonetheless.
