Aspergers and Autism the same in draft DSM V

[amberlight]

www.dsm5.org/ProposedRevisions/Pages/proposedrevision.aspx?rid=94#

The draft DSM V is now out and available on that link. Doesn't take effect until 2013 so they'll still be doing some listening and revising as they go, but they are indeed intending to drop Asperger syndrome as a separate category. They can't spot the difference between it and what they're currently calling higher functioning autism.

They say, "A single spectrum disorder is a better reflection of the state of knowledge about pathology and clinical presentation; previously, the criteria were equivalent to trying to ?cleave meatloaf at the joints?. "

A strange expression, but I think I know what they mean.

Sorry, J wanted to see what they looked like. Will now put computer away and come back to this later, as J wants to show me his computer list

In an ideal world, there would be less emphasis on the diagnosis and more on providing the therapy and services each child needs on an individual basis but it seems to be human nature to want to focus on the 'big picture' and to discuss it rather than to look at all the pixels that are part of the big picture. I've often wondered what the point of an autism dx is but don't see any better option at the moment. DS1 was temporarily said to be microcephalic but this disappeared when his head was re measured and said to be in the normal range . However he does have a 'wee head' and I sometimes wonder if this is the actual problem - but as there are not "Microcephaly Units' springing up everywhere with masses of resources attached to them, it's not worth pursuing. DS1 has some minor sensory issues but I still feel wary of things like autism friendly screenings which assume issues with light and noise which DS1 does not have - but that is a completely personal thing others might need/want it.

Interesting points cyber. I am laughing at microcephaly units I do wonder whether a diagnosis of autism stops further consideration in it's tracks. For instance ds1 was diagnosed as autistic. And that was it. It's only in the last few months -over 8 years later and at my instigation that he's seen a neurologist to consider metabolic issues - who wants us to see a geneticist as well. Without diagnosis this may have happened years ago. With the autism diagnosis it wouldn't have happened at all without me pushing for it.

Ds1 doesn't need special screenings from a sensory point of view either. I would attend an autism friendly screening with the assumption that fellow cinema goers would tolerate his behaviour when a typical cinema crowd wouldn't - but no he doesn't have a need for quieter, lighter cinemas. And I guess if he shrieked and shouted that would make it difficult for those who are sensitive to noise. But both are autism characteristics. Perhaps we need sensory seeking and sensory defensive showings

DS1 would need an ASD screening to allow him to move about at will as he cannot sit for for than 10-15 mins max but I have not given up hope of teaching him socially appropriate behaviour in cinemas ( he is fine in restaurants) so possibly for me the screenings are a bit defeatist - but he is only 5 so may have to re visit the decision depending on how things go ! Also they often put 'Other SN welcome' in small print which I don't understand either.

DS1 likes to push his nose up against the TV, I always assume he would do the same at the cinema (never been brave enough to try!)

He's too feral for restaurants as he has a thing about microwaves so tries to get into the kitchen. Years of practice from school make McD's just about possible now.

I always think this is the sort of thing that the social model of disability doesn't really though.He can't really run through a restaurant kitchen playing with the microwave - it's not safe or fair on the staff or other diners - but he can't turn the microwave-stick my head in- shut the door- turn it on - response that he has. It's just one of those things and unless he becomes less feral (unlikely) then pubs and restaurants will remain inaccessible to him. That's not their fault (or his), it's just the way it is.

That's very true - there is so much that is inaccessible to DS1 that cinema is not top of my priorities but as you say I can't expect everything to change to suit his atypical needs. Recently I've been busy signing up DS2 for all sorts of things - sport/art/social etc and none of them even mention SN . More of a compromise between us and society would be nice though.

I think re accessing setrvices its probably postcode lottery agin: here you dont even get an assessment without one.So, it is an essnetial.Our ssd is a bastard however and I wouldnt wish it on anyone- my good friend's sopn (ASD,GDD< chromosomedeletion,boind,challenging behaviour) has just ben turned down forresidential as a young adult as they won't do it unless you as a carer are in crisis or seriously ill.

Which is pretty much a message that carers don'rever get a break isn't it? Not here.

The only playscheme people get here is an inclusion one,otherwise if you can'taccess one by a group such as the blind childrens society you may as well give up. It just isn't there. SSd just seem to be nightmarish tbh.

I was relying on a chat with Paed next month tbh, but apptwas cancelled yesterday and put back to August , arrrrggggghhhhhh!.

ds1 can attend cinema 1-1, that of course is the advatage of the withdrawn asd variant!

however am still shaken after a teacher divereted me (to tell me ds1 dropped 2 maths sets day after review, arrghhh again) and he bolted; took 20minutes to find him, rear door leading to the comp buses was open, nobody would help as it was last day oftermand they were bust,eventhe two that have done in the past- I was the madwoman running around,pushing a buggy, tearsd and just ignored . Having ds3 doesnt persuade them to let ds2 out on time (usually 15 minyeslate) and the playground is ds3's worst time, like allmy nightmares cometrue and Is till don'tknow where he was,he just appeared laughing. Similar happened at Folly Farm,security weren't bothered, we were terrified I really thought he'd ben taken but where I found him (behind aslot amchine) security had walked past severaltimesand although word had gone out not picked him out.Sometimes I feel it would be easier to stay home and lock all doors forever tbh. Quite fancying a nice Island off Scotland atm, uninhabited so farp lease.

duh, sorry, yes they do mention sensory after all don't they?

who bolted peachy? ds3? If so get a crelling harness of some sort, I had to use it when ds2 and ds3 were little - especially when they were in pushchairs and ds1 was walking.

I think you have hit the nail on the head regarding services btw. We were lucky in that ds1 became eligible (age wise) for a new service (of 6 places) just as it opened. And in the last assessment when I was asked what I needed, I was told my request was impossible because they just don't have the provision that we needed. Before the new service there wasn't anything suitable for him. And of course there are far more than 6 people a day needing access to it.

I think the situation you describe with resi is common. Currently ds1 would probably have a good chance of resi as a young adult because they don't have anything he can access with his feral behaviours (he would end up dead) and they have to provide something. I do let them know when he is challenging with us in case I need it as evidence in the future.

DS3 yes, we've been ythrough one crelling harness (he has apaprently got exeptionalskills in object assembly which means undoing harnesses I reckon ) but we are at the stage where we needto get Crelling to make himone with a metalbuckle; this weeks CA went on those gymnic seats for him and ds2 for school, but its next on my list.