Changes proposed in how psychiatrists diagnose?

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This proposal is ridiculous and unscientific. As Simon Baron Cohen has pointed out, It has yet to be determined whether Asperger Syndrome and Kanner's Autism share all the same genetic markers, and may be found ultimately to be different disorders with shared characteristics.

To remove Asperger's Disorder from the DSM would be premature, and references to AS as 'mild' autism do a disservice to those whose level of function may seem high on the surface, but whose social acclimation is yet debilitating enough to require access to support and social services. Many diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome, if viewed as so 'mildly' Autistic as to warrant no classification beyond 'mild' could lose access to public assistance and become homeless and/or be driven to suicide.

I have other relatives diagnosed with AS, yet there is no history whatsoever of classic Autism in our family, which leads me to believe the two disorders are not necessarily identical in either symptoms nor causes.

Having been unable to maintain steady employment for over 35 years, I now find myself in my 50s clinging to that Asperger Syndrome designation as my only lifeline. For you to now remove that and leave me with nothing more than the innocuous label of 'mild' is no different than putting a bullet in my skull.

Mind your own business and stop trying to pose as though you have all the answers already. The research does not support the changes you are proposing and may ultimately prove you quite wrong. Perhaps you should wait a bit and save yourselves some academic embarrassment.