<p><a href=“http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/03/health/03asperger.html?_r=2&ref=health[/url]”>http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/03/health/03asperger.html?_r=2&ref=health</a></p>
<p>“The proposed changes to the autism category are part of a bigger overhaul that will largely replace the old “you have it or you don’t” model of mental illness with a more modern view — that psychiatric disorders should be seen as a continuum, with many degrees of severity. The goal is to develop “severity measures within each diagnosis,” said Dr. Darrel A. Regier, research director at the American Psychiatric Association and vice chairman of the diagnostic manual’s task force.”</p>
<p>I would agree that it is a spectrum, however since Drs are reluctant to diagnose cases that are milder than " Rain man" because of the stigma they perceive, both adults and children are less likely to be identified and get support.</p>
<p>If we can better educate practitioners then the name change could be positive- and help those who aren’t clearly either autistic or aspie, my experience has been, even with clear signs that indicate being on the spectrum, Drs. grasp a " normal" ,measure and say that “_____ couldn’t have Aspergers because they do ____”</p>
<p>This is an incredibly difficult diagnosis, especially when the case is not so clear-cut. If you tell the parents, will that mean the child will get more services? Will that help the parent understand their child better? Since the child’s severity fluctuates depending on the time of day/stresses/food/social experiences with other kids/etc, will the parent see the issue and agree or will that parent deny?</p>
<p>I am a teacher, and while I see some parents expect to obtain all sorts of services once their child has been diagnosed as having Asperger’s, there are also some completely bogus and unnecessary “treatments” too. I’ve also seen parents completely deny their child’s disability. As a parent of a 22 yo Aspie kid, I only wish we had the services then that are available now. I also see the variation my child has exhibited throughout the years, but I know this issue never goes away. </p>
<p>…Just wish it wasn’t thought to be a young kids’ disability. It’s lifelong folks.</p>
<p>I’ve been to 2 Asperger conferences this year, both emphasizing the continuum and the dual dx with OCD or social anxiety, etc. Each presenter runs an institute. Nothing like this was available 20 years ago. I think the more we recognize Asperger traits, syndrome, the better we can help. Besides the books mentioned in NYTimes article, I also like John Ortiz’s books, esp The Gifts of Asperger. I sent my son My Kitty Catsberger–an illustrated book about how cats are “the Aspies of the animal kingdom”. (He has another illustrated book, dogs & ADHD.)</p>
<p>Just finished reading Parallel Play. There is a paragraph near the end which was basically the subject of Son’s college essay.</p>
<p>I think Son would be sorry to see the term Aspie go.</p>