Aspergers dx not going to be used anymore

[flowwithit]

I have just been told this today at our last dx meeting with psyc. Not even HFA will be used only autism dx from now on.
Has anyone else been told this recently?

I think some underlying conditions can be treated. All the more reason to identify them. And for research. Research into 'autism' causes is a nonsense without idenitication of subgroups.

I can't agree enough as to what saintly jimjams said. My Ds's "ishoos" are very clearly genetic & have no impact on his intellectual capacity whatsoever (though his learning style is very clearly affected). At this stage I have no idea if he'll end up at Uni or in prison. DS is totally dairy protein intolerant. There is some sort of link between his diet and his cognitive abilities - GAPS lite makes a noticeable difference positively.

However I have a cousin in his 50's, who is the result of a difficult pregnancy & and birth & the ONLY one affected of 11 siblings who will never be independent in any capacity right down to toileting. His general intellect is also very low. He's never had any of the gut issues so commonly associated with a diagnosis of severe ASD. (His late Mum was a nurse so tried GF/CF no additives etc long before it became fashionable to look at diet in the mainstream). As a family we think his disability was caused by a difficult birth - but how do you prove it?

To me it's very, very obvious that my son's and my cousin's disabilities have different causes and the impact & potential outcomes for both was always going to be very different. It woud be a complete nonsense to pretend otherwise.

I have no issues with the "labels" changing - all that worries me is that more children don't fall between the cracks in provision as a result of the changes. Politics has no place in SEN but all to often we see any old excuse used as a reason NOT to help those kids in need, esp with the funding cracks.

I also agree with saintly and bochead.

Research is important and individual subgroups are needed. DS was classed as "complex" and apart from the no help and blame the mother this is a totally inefficient dx that doesnt explain a jot. It doesnt help the child and leaves families in limbo with no idea of what area would benefit from what.

One day I hope you will be able to take a child in and have each and every issue dxed, defined and explained no matter how long the letters are without having to fight for it or wait endlessly each and every time to find another issue to be investigated. As only then can the children be helped from day one.

To me ASD tiered as Mild/Mod/Severe is not good enough as there are so many levels within those 3 levels themselves. They are just condensing a wider issue.

I would rather treat each dx and have a label altered or the milder dxs knocked off if we have calmed it down, every few years or so if it meant I knew exactly what my sons issues were and could explain each one and have each one catered for in school etc for a better understanding.