Looking for suggestions for book titled Asperger's Disorder

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I'm one of the editors on this medical textbook and I'm trying to write the preface. I'm somewhat torn by the syndrome v/s disorder question and I am wondering how people at wrong planet feel about the disorder label. Also, what would you like to see in the preface. Unfortunately, the book is already written, so this is your last chance!

Inspite of the popularity of the term "disorder",I believe it is a misnomer. My brain has an "order" it is just ordered differently then the "majority" which often causes difficulty in communication on both sides.

I'm not even sure what "syndrome" means? When I refer to my own neurological differences I use the term "traits". It doesn't carry a value judgement or emotion association that the "disability/disorder/dysfuntion" terms do (which offend me a lot).

The preface....Something by Tony Atwood? He seems to have the most understanding and compassion for individuals on the spectrum.

My personal summery of Aspergers...

"A fish is not a broken bird"

ICD-10 -> Asperger's Syndrome

DSM-IV-TR -> Asperger's Disorder

Does the deal with both ICD/DSM? Then I'll vote for syndrome.

At least 'syndrome' and 'Asperger's Syndrome' is commonly supported in many languages.

Unlike 'AD' or Asperger's Disorder. ('AD' could mean Autistic disorder too I think?).

I'd love to add this one to my medical library; let us know when it comes out!
And I don't mind either one (disorder or syndrome), but when people describe it as a "disease" or "sickness" or something like that, it makes me crazy. I won't let my friends use any words other than syndrome or disorder, but either of those is good.

Don't much like disorder or syndrome, maybe Asperger's Discovery would be more fun and more positive

That's very helpful. I like Asperger's Discovery. The book should come out in the next 6 months. I am writing the preface with the two other editors. Its called "Asperger's Disorder." We agree with the title since there are no books titled Asperger's Disorder and when someone first gets the diagnosis they may look it up that way first. We use all the criteria- ICD-10, Gillberg's, DSM-IV. About 1/2 the authors are European, all use syndrome; other 1/2 American all use disorder except one. The acronyms used are AD, AS, ASP, then for ASD we also have ASC and SCD- social communication disorders. We discuss traits a lot. I was thinking the preface should start with Acronyms, acronyms, all is acronyms, or perhaps an acronym by any other name is still an acronym. Any more ideas? Where do we see Asperger's going in the future? Is the fact that antisocial behavior is reported or lack of empathy a problem? Is the fact that people sho are in relationships with someone with Asperger's feel sad due to lack of emotional responsivity concerning? I found the Painted Veil to portray a character who might have Asperger's well in the character of Dr. Fane.

Whats wrong with just the term ..."Aspergers"....?There aren't more then one kind of such things as far as I'm aware,(although they certainy can very a great deal in how the present in each individual...a great deal.

As to your other questions....

I am not "anti" social(wishing to avoid all people or do something harmful to people)..that is a myth. Look at the membership here. I use to "think" I was "a" social because I did not enjoy socializing with people who were cruel to me or did not seem to understand what I was communicating and who often bored me with their interests(Britney Spears,etc)...but that happens here as well but at least most of us are interested in aspergers If you look at how much time many of us spend communicating on the internet(when not disadvantaged with trying to desipher Non-verbal communication...many of us are social to some degree.


I am female DXed a few years ago and have had many problems in relationships because the person became my "special interest"...for awhile...then "not"...so I either creeped them out with my intensity of always wanting to be with them or confused them ith my sudden disinterest in them(confused me too)Now I am with some one who has as many other interests as me. Most people would think our lack of attention to each other was "odd" but it works for us.(5 years)...I think it's because he has a lot of aspie traits and obsessions,so understands mine.(also not a social junky who doesn't mind staying at home.

I would love to see a book preface that talked about some of the myths of AS, about how AS was not just "created in a petri dish" when it happened into the DSM...in other words....There are more unDXed aspies abounding then the world knows. You would think some cleaver researcher would try and spend more time investigating this then looking for a genetic marker? We are the puzzle piece that they can't seem to find....

After rereading this I have to say...you DO seem confused. Are the impressions of people with AS, you are mentioning here, the ones mentioned by these expert authors...and where did they get their info?

Where do we see Asperger's going in the future?



Going? Are we going some where...hell,no one tells me anything...and I don't even have my towel with me<----that is humor(or a vain attempt) to dispel the myth that aspies have no sense of humor...we do,we just don't always think any one is funny but ourselves(and Monty Python and Black Adder and Douglas Adams and Woody Allen and etc)

A serious answer...is that if Autism Speaks continues to define the agenda all autisics will be "cured" and we will be a world of happy smiley NT's.


Is the fact that antisocial behavior is reported


Who reported this and what is their deffinition?



or lack of empathy a problem?


It's not a problem for me...is it a problem for someone who wants to whine about soemthing I think is absurd or ask to cry on my shoulder...probably but if you go to the haven you will find a lot of examples of empathy...empathy for people who are experiencing things we can relate to and not someone who is complaining about breaking their newly done manicure(I know I am onr cold blooded chick)



Is the fact that people sho are in relationships with someone with Asperger's feel sad due to lack of emotional responsivity concerning?



Looking at the divorce rate...I would say that the majority of peple are miserable in relationships and most of them are NT. We all have strengths and weakness in relationship and different needs. The trick is finding someone who will meet them and not deluding your self that you can "change them"...which I see in AS or NT people.


I found the Painted Veil to portray a character who might have Asperger's well in the character of Dr. Fane.

I ain't no expert, but I've seen an awful lot of lack of empathy and antisocial behavior. If that's an aspie trait, so is having ten toes.

It would be a lot more accurate to say that aspies receive lack of empathy and antisocial behavior.

I'd prefer syndrome to disorder. I ain't as dumb as I seem.

Speaking of dumb, though, did it ever occur to any of these experts that people who have tremendous difficulty involving interactions with other people have their problems made worse by being labeled as ass burgers?

I prefer syndrome. AS isn't all bad. There are plenty of good things about it, and people experience it in different ways. A lot of the disadvantages are situational; that cannot be said of many disorders.