So is there any reason to get a diagnosis?

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oSovereign
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17 Feb 2016, 11:02 pm

So like, i'm aware that nowadays, Asperger's is technically not existant anymore according to the DSM V. Everything is apparently now just different levels of autism. Now, I was lucky to be diagnosed with Asperger's at a young age thus giving me a possibly better idea of why I act the way I do (although many questions of who I am in my own perception are still largely unresolved). But i'm aware that I might now, I guess, need to get rediagnosed to become officially recognized as having this disorder. I just have some questions.

-What differentiates this first level of autism from asperger's?
-Is there any actual reason to get rediagnosed? Will it tell me anything I don't already know about myself, or will it give any benefits which I may or may not use but would be at my disposal?
-If it is a good idea, how would one go about this?
-How do they even diagnose you for something like this, just out of curiousity?



dachsowned
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17 Feb 2016, 11:42 pm

I don't think you need to get rediagnosed. I read that those already diagnosed with Aspergers will continue to be known as someone with Aspergers. New diagnoses will be called ASD. Why they bothered is beyond my comprehension - maybe all they want is to confuse everyone!



oSovereign
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17 Feb 2016, 11:56 pm

dachsowned wrote:
I don't think you need to get rediagnosed. I read that those already diagnosed with Aspergers will continue to be known as someone with Aspergers. New diagnoses will be called ASD. Why they bothered is beyond my comprehension - maybe all they want is to confuse everyone!


Are you sure about this? Can we get some confirmation here?



ASPartOfMe
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18 Feb 2016, 12:37 am

CDC - DSM 5 Diagnostic Criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder

Quote:
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


There is no rule I know of that says you must be given an Autism Spectrum Disorder Level 1 Severity diagnosis if you were prevoiusly diagnosed with Aspergers. Why would not Severe Aspergers be Autism severity level 2 or even 3?.


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ZombieBrideXD
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18 Feb 2016, 12:46 am

-What differentiates this first level of autism from asperger's?
There aren't many differences, its just more clear that Repetitive and obsessive behaviour and Sensory sensitivity needs to be included in the diagnoses in order to meet the criteria, if these two symptoms are not present a better fit would be Social Communication Disorder which is not apart of the Autism Spectrum Disorder.

-Is there any actual reason to get rediagnosed? Will it tell me anything I don't already know about myself, or will it give any benefits which I may or may not use but would be at my disposal?
Perhaps, i believe if your Diagnoses isn't getting you the help you need, perhaps a re-diagnoses or evaluation, can help get better assistance. Or if you find the therapy and diagnosis you have isn't fitting you should look into a better diagnoses.

-If it is a good idea, how would one go about this?
Contact a psychologist or Psychiatrist, tell them the problems you have been having and ask them what they think should happen.

-How do they even diagnose you for something like this, just out of curiosity?
They will evaluate your behaviour, investigate your early childhood and assess your level of functioning. Sometimes it starts with a simple interview and they MAY go deeper into investigation. Its different everywhere and can take days or weeks. Mine took months.

I personally got re-evaluated a few times, only one doctor said she didn't see me as autistic, she said that i was too aware of my symptoms (which i wasn't all i knew is what my psychologist told me) and she said since HER daugther was on the spectrum, she didn't see me as autistic. I asked her what she would think is a better fit and she said i probably had Nonverbal Learning Disability, ADHD, OCD, and maybe some emotional problems. So i got evaluated for Nonverbal learning disability and test results suggested i did NOT have NLD.


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Feyokien
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18 Feb 2016, 12:48 am

No, there's no point if you have a previous diagnosis, high functioning autism and Aspergers were merged into Level 1 and old diagnosis's did carry over. I spoke with official people about this a few months ago at my university and they said I was good and didn't need the rediagnosis.