Should we go for an Asperger's diagnosis?

[DJTF]

My son's school are suggesting we have him officially assessed for Asperger's. He over-focuses, misjudges social situations ? not harming himself or others, but standing out for getting things wrong. If he is on the spectrum he's probably towards the mild end of it. But he's getting unsympathetic treatment at school on account of his oddities - from some kids, bullying/teasing, and some adults also, who don't know him and jump to conclusions about the way he talks and acts. Being diagnosed as Asperger's could help him, we think. My question is, what are the down-sides? Does anyone have any experience of negative outcomes? Does the label become part of his medical history, and have to be disclosed to potential employers, etc.? What might it bar him from in the future?

I have two children on the spectrum.. one has learning difficulties as well and was already in special school when he was diagnosed.. the other is studying medicine at University... so is a very able young adult. Having a diagnosis has been nothing but beneficial.. it has helped others understand their differences, and it has helped both children feel ok in their own skins.. having a name for the why they are different has been good.
It has also helped access services, it will help as my DS2 starts moving towards adulthood (he is nearly 15)as he will need help as an adult. For My DD1 it means she can access extra help at Uni (she is also dyspraxic and dyslexic) and has in NO way held her back from her chosen career.. medicine is mind blowingly competitive but she is doing very well (and loving it). She is more able socially but nevertheless very aspie.
I'm sure others will give their experience.. but ours has been nothing but positive:)

You can't officially get a dx of Aspergers anymore. The new DSM V which has been brought in has made it redundant. You would get a diagnosis of Autism although it might be ASC I'm not sure of the correct wording. I'm sure others will be along to explain it better than I can

DSM 5 isn't actually in yet, but some areas are following it already and dropping the Aspergers DX. They are going to Autism Spectrum Disorder with different severities. www.dsm5.org/proposedrevision/pages/neurodevelopmentaldisorders.aspx
See on the link above a list of various disorders including ASD. The current term preferred by some areas in UK is ASC, for condition rather than disorder, which sounds less scary, maybe. In a way it's a shame that Aspergers Syndrome is going as it's seen by many as the acceptable face of autism, but really those with AS can be just as badly affected on their lives as those with other autism DXs.

My DS is DXed with ASD, it hasn't held him back at all and has helped to get him support.

School suggested the same thing to us but although my son definitely has many traits, oddities and eccentricities, he doesn't have the difficulties or impairments necessary for a dx. He has also had unsympathetic responses such as being bullied for being weird and annoying teachers for talking too much.

I don't think many places give Aspergers dx any more, just generic ASD.

It's not something you currently have to disclose to anyone.

In the last month we got a written dx of "an Autism Spectrum Disorder (Asperger's Syndrome)"

2 weeks ago I received a dx of AS but that was in london. Down here in the south west they were talking of ASC. I think its going to vary from area to area.

You dont have to disclose it like others have said. I think it helps in helping people understand him. Schools should be more tolerant and help him with peer pressure instead of him having to fend for himself.

Also there may be clubs or groups he could go to in your area that would need dx to go to them.

I wanted to answer this earlier but was at work. Ihave Dd3 who was recently given a dx of ASD. She is very high functioning and although we have told other proff what her dx is, most of them refer to her as having aspergers.

I think even if your ds was dx'ed with ASD there would be nothing wrong with you using the term aspergers when talking to him about it.

Fwiw, i think the same as the others, getting a dx for Dd3 has been a positive thing and has lead us to be able to access support for her.

Good luck.

Aspergers / ASD is not an illness. It's a condition. It doesn't have to be divulged to employers etc - that's a personal decision.

I'm not sure how Asperger's is being diagnosed now, but my DS2 had his diagnosis last year. For us it has been a positive thing, school have been very helpful and I would rather him be labelled "autistic" and not "naughty/weird/geeky/whatever other insult applies" . I don't know about disclosing it to schools/employers etc but it can be very useful for helping friends and relatives etc understand more about your DS. I tend to tell people on a "need to know" basis.

Thanks to everyone who has posted here. We are finding your comments very helpful, and encouraging.

Yes, it helps.
DS is 17 now and can choose for himself who he tells.

My DS1 had his dx of Asperger's last year and it has been an immensely positive thing. School are bending over backwards to help him and it has actually given his confidence a boost as he knows that he just wired differently (he's Mac, the others are slow PCs!) and not weird or bad. He is 5.

cozzie, I love the Mac/PC analogy