With the DSM V, is it even possible to get diagnosed?
It is very likely that I have AS, and I would like to pursue a diagnosis at some point in the near future. Is this even possible with the new DSM V? Would I be labeled Asperger's or just as Autism? Is the assessment different? Will a diagnosis be more difficult?
Also, I have learned several coping skills that make my stims/social issues less noticeable. Would this make me less likely to be diagnosed?
Has anyone here been diagnosed after the new guidelines were implemented?
_________________
Diagnosed with ASD at age 17 with the DSM V.
Trying to find Aspie meetups in the Long Beach, CA area.
Good questions, sorry I can't answer them.
However, bare in mind that many people with
a right brain dominance within the spectrum
often fall way outside the DSM radar (old & new)
due to their refined ability to adapt.
There is a great irony that highly developed adaptive
skills born out of adversity can render ones ability
to be seen and understood at depth with respect to
their neurological difference.
Much has been written of late about AS being
over diagnosed, but I know so many artists,
musicians, philosophers, literary people, whose
artistic orientation masks the enormity of
effort that governs so much of their life.
The extent to which a person in the spectrum
consciously and unconsciously adapts speaks
volumes.........but, like so many in power, there
is such a profound absence of willingness to listen
at a deeper level.
The criteria isn't much different. Sure, you need 3 of 3 instead of 2 of 4 in the social domain, but that doesn't seem like much of a difference (or that much harder to meet). You need one more in the repetitive behaviors domain, but they added sensory problems to that one, so that's probably a free one for most with an ASD.
Check out Gillberg's Criteria for Asperger's if you want a prototypical view of such.
Yes, you can still get a label. Question is, why would you want to?? What do you expect out of it??
Yes, that diagnosis will be "autism." Who cares what they call it?? The stigma is the same.
When filling out questionaires, the key is to be honest in self-reporting behaviors you have learned to hide (or to be dishonest, if you're trying to avoid diagnosis).
Example: I count things, memorize license plates, repeat things over and over and over. I have learned to count fast (fast enough that I can tell you how many fence posts there are between here and the store, and I did it without ever breaking stride), to not tell anyone, to do it silently in my head.
I still do all those things. It just doesn't bother anyone. I could have kept my mouth shut and evaded diagnosis.
So, if I'm so smart, why didn't I???
Before you go diagnosis hunting, find out if it's going to really do you any good.
_________________
"Alas, our dried voices when we whisper together are quiet and meaningless, as wind in dry grass, or rats' feet over broken glass in our dry cellar." --TS Eliot, "The Hollow Men"
Yes, that diagnosis will be "autism." Who cares what they call it?? The stigma is the same.
When filling out questionaires, the key is to be honest in self-reporting behaviors you have learned to hide (or to be dishonest, if you're trying to avoid diagnosis).
Example: I count things, memorize license plates, repeat things over and over and over. I have learned to count fast (fast enough that I can tell you how many fence posts there are between here and the store, and I did it without ever breaking stride), to not tell anyone, to do it silently in my head.
I still do all those things. It just doesn't bother anyone. I could have kept my mouth shut and evaded diagnosis.
So, if I'm so smart, why didn't I???
Before you go diagnosis hunting, find out if it's going to really do you any good.
What this person said (sorry for using your own words). I don't know if I have AS or not either, and being from the UK where they use ICD-10 instead of DSM, I could still get a dx.
But why do you want it? If its because you want peace of mind or to understand why you're different to others, then by all means, go for it. If AS is causing you problems, then sure. But don't hust get a diagnosis for the heck o it, think about why you want it.
However, bare in mind that many people with
a right brain dominance within the spectrum
often fall way outside the DSM radar (old & new)
due to their refined ability to adapt.
There is a great irony that highly developed adaptive
skills born out of adversity can render ones ability
to be seen and understood at depth with respect to
their neurological difference.
Much has been written of late about AS being
over diagnosed, but I know so many artists,
musicians, philosophers, literary people, whose
artistic orientation masks the enormity of
effort that governs so much of their life.
The extent to which a person in the spectrum
consciously and unconsciously adapts speaks
volumes.........but, like so many in power, there
is such a profound absence of willingness to listen
at a deeper level.
Great post (and sadly very accurate).
As others have said, it would be a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder rather than AS. This is unlikely to make any meaningful difference (personally, I prefer the general autism diagnosis, as I think it makes things simpler for others to understand). If you are evaluated by someone with knowledge about and experience of autism in adults then your adaptations shouldn't be an issue as they ought to be looking out for this, though you may nevertheless want to point out that you had to learn to do such-and-such to cover your natural behaviours, because if you end up with a less experienced person doing your assessment or someone who is only used to assessing children they may be "fooled" by your behaviour modifications.
The new guidelines haven't been implemented yet (they will be in May, I believe) so no one will have been diagnosed under them yet, but you can look at the new guidelines and see for yourself how well they describe you. I actually think they are more applicable to a lot of people than the old ones, not less.
Thank you for the replies. My mother has agreed to get me assessed over the summer and seems more amenable to it that she has in years past.
I want this diagnosis (if it applies, of course) for peace of mind and to learn more applicable anxiety management techniques. I doubt that spinning around in circles and waving my hands 'round my ears would be very acceptable to my roommate when I go off to college.
_________________
Diagnosed with ASD at age 17 with the DSM V.
Trying to find Aspie meetups in the Long Beach, CA area.
ok so my mom and I compiled a list of things pointing to AS (pro) and things not (con) and the adaptations I've made on my own to fit in. Note when I decide to not do these adaptations, it is very obvious something is "off" about me
Pro
bad at/ uncomforatable with eye contact
spoke with high vocab/complete sentences on time
walked late
light touch hurts
high pitched/loud sounds hurt/cause stress
spins in circles to calm
dislikes certain food textures
read at high school level early on
average/above average intelligence
spoke with high vocab early on
difficulty reading facial expressions
doesnt understand why someone is upset
likes deep pressure when stressed
social anxiety, general anxiety
prefers animals/things to people
very interested in Autism
Very knowledgeable on Star Trek, Star Wars, Doctor Who, Autism
Shortish attention span
stims when stressed
didnt understand why people sad when grandpa died
more upset at animal death than people
doesnt understand why people who doesnt know die is very upsetting
needs to write things to remember them
hard time with multi step/implied verbal instructions
bad at abstract math/concepts
doesnt know how to small talk
repetitive conversations
very anxious at social places or when meeting new people
replays memories in mind, brain gets "stuck"
no desire to keep in contact with people after high school
clicks alarm same way every day
must say script before getting take out
difficult knowing when/what to talk about on phone
walked away from strangers as kid
intense interest in horses as kid
very fast reader/high level
concentration issues in 4th grade
very interested in animal anus as young child
dislikes bright light
likes routines
literal understanding
difficulty with unexpected behaviors/places
can't tell true interest from polite listening
prefers individual projects
somewhat insensitive to pain
pre school was concerned
Con
has friends
has done well in school
can talk about non obsessions
can carry on back and forth conversation
can participate in and use jokes
can recover from routine deviations
has been told is good listener/mediator
socializes better with known people
acceptable balance
tries to fit in
not extremely systematical
has adapted to many social standards
understands some sarcasm
Adaptations
does only minor stims in public
glances at people's eyes to appear like listening
laughs at jokes even when not understood
avoids overwhelming people with Autism info
nods head at peers instead of waving
learned is not ok to spin, flap, or vocally stim in public
does this seem to lean towards AS? (under old and new guidelines?)
I'm sort of "stuck" on this at the moment.
_________________
Diagnosed with ASD at age 17 with the DSM V.
Trying to find Aspie meetups in the Long Beach, CA area.
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