DSM-5 ASD Severity Scale 0-3

Post Reply New Topic

I'm wondering if there are people with DSM IV Asperger's who might require a level-2 level of support owing to sensory issues?

People with AS could hit level 2. It all depends on how severe your restricted behaviors and social impairments are.

If you can't do almost anything but your special interest, even with help, then you're probably going to hit level 2 in that area.

So I keep seeing this association between level 1 ASD and Aspergers and I keep feeling the need to correct that. In my research on ASD when my son was diagnosed, that in turn produced my strong suspicions about myself, that in turn resulted in my diagnosis, I repeatedly read that Aspergers was a spectrum with some highly functional independant people who nevertheless clearly showed the classic triad of impairments and some people who were profoundly dysfunctional and could not live without a great deal of support.

Based on that research, I feel compelled to reassert that It's just wrong to equate level 1 ASD and Aspergers.

Consider again the communication and RRIB requirements for level 2 ASD:

quote"Adamantium

"So I keep seeing this association between level 1 ASD and Aspergers and I keep feeling the need to correct that..

But let's not be dishonest about an Aspergers diagnosis: it by no means signifies level 1 severity"


Actually I recall reading that the CDC positions is that those diagnosed under the DSM IV with Asperger's should be diagnosed with ASD under the DSM V - Although their recommendation does not say whether they should be diagnosed with level 1, 2 or 3. But general speaking as is pointed out by the statement from the Mayo Clinic below - Asperger's is usually thought of as the more mild form of Autism.

Note: Individuals with a well-established DSM-IV diagnosis of autistic disorder, Asperger’s disorder, or pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified should be given the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. Individuals who have marked deficits in social communication, but whose symptoms do not otherwise meet criteria for autism spectrum disorder, should be evaluated for social (pragmatic) communication disorder.

http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/hcp-dsm.html

And this from the Mayo Clinic:

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is now defined by the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnosis and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) as a single disorder that includes disorders that were previously considered separate — autism, Asperger's syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified.

The term "spectrum" in autism spectrum disorder refers to the wide range of symptoms and severity. Although the term "Asperger's syndrome" is no longer in the DSM, some people still use the term, which is generally thought to be at the mild end of autism spectrum disorder.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-cond ... n-20021148

Here is an official CDC Video Addressing the issue:

I must have been unclear. I don't disagree that an Aspergers diagnosis is an ASD diagnosis. It's just the level 1 part that I think is misleading.

"which is generally thought to be at the mild end of autism spectrum disorder." is not supported by the cases described in the material I researched and "mild" is imprecise compared to the three level severity rating. It is quite clear that some people with aspergers should be level 2 ASD not level 1 ASD. This is the only point I wished to make.

I am sure that there are people previously diagnosed with AS who need level 1+ support, but I don't have a problem with people saying in general that AS is similar to level 1 ASD.

I think that AS covers the moderate to mild end of the spectrum and blends into BAP/subclinical.

I think that it is best to think about level of support as the level that applies generally to an individual, the majority of the time. So if someone shows more severe traits on occasion, but are not generally at that level, then they should be classified as the level they are most of the time.

Compared to people across the spectrum, I think that it would be rare to have someone with AS classified as level 2 or 3. Only one person (HFA) who has participated in my research studies would likely classify as level 2. All other people previously diagnosed with HFA or AS or PDD-NOS would likely be level 1. Amongst the people who don't participate in research, I know only one other person (autism, low verbal ability) who would be level 2. Level 3 is for people with severe traits all the time.

As far as I understand, AS is just ASD with no delay in speech. That is about it I think. There can be any level. They just have a scale that says, o.k. the guy can walk like me, talk like me, he has a 180 IQ, but he cannot tie his own shoes, and when someone is wrong, and they want to argue with him, he punches him in the face. What severity scale does he belong in?

That level zero bothers me, because you can be fine for 20 years, and all of the sudden BAM! house of cards. I know, it happened to me over a year ago, and I'm still trying to get over some of it. I'm not so sure some of it will .

It is not unlike trying to take out the trash, and not knowing where to put it.

Yep....I think btbnnyr wrote a great post, too.

I didn't get given a severity level, but am just about certain I would have been classed as level 1. Personally I think the definitions given are rather vague and unclear. In the 'Mild' and 'Moderate' categories, what's the difference between 'atypical' and 'abnormal' responses to social overtures from others? In the 'Mild' category, what's the amazing support which enables the AS person to be able to communicate without impairments? Would love to know this, so I can finally connect with the human race.

Trouble with me is I seem okay on the surface. I don't have any stims I can't hide or just make it seem like normal fidgeting; I can talk reasonably okay in specific situations (i.e. talking to a professional, where they are doing most of the talking and asking of questions). But then if I'm so "mild", why have I never left home (except for a couple of brief and unsuccessful stints at university), had a relationship, found a job I could hold down for longer than a few weeks/months?

It's hard to explain. I'm no genius, but I'm not a thicko either. I had a couple of talents I might have been able to make a living out of, if office life wasn't for me (and it most certainly wasn't). I just feel like given my reasonable level of intelligence and the fact I don't have meltdowns in public which make people call the police out on me (apart from my dad... >_>), I should have done a bit better in life and am baffled and ashamed that I haven't.

What talents do you have?

I was good at drawing/painting and writing.

My dad was pretty much a mathematical prodigy, but none of his 4 children or 2 grandchildren have followed in his footsteps >_>.

You know there's a place where you could show your writing right here on WP?

Perhaps, you could get some good feedback.

I enjoy writing myself. I used to write quite a bit of poetry. Somebody compared me to Wallace Stevens once.