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Diagnosis Status on the Profile

Poppet

Poppet

Active Member
Something that is bothering me on the profile is the diagnosis status. I'm sure I'm being too specific, but my diagnosis is not listed exactly.
In the US using the DSM-5, aspergers and all the other autism diagnoses were bunched into the umbrella of ASD (autism spectrum disorder). I was diagnosed with ASD (with the doctor verbally telling me "yeah it's aspergers but we're not really supposed to diagnose it that way anymore"). I know other countries still have the other diagnoses which is probably why it hasn't been changed... But is there a way to make it clear that ASD is only "different" because of the DSM categorizing it that way, but include it as a listing for people to choose?

I originally had my profile saying aspergers because I identify as an aspie to some degree (or at least I did when I was self diagnosing over the past year or more)... But now that I have the diagnosis and have learned a lot more about classic autism, I feel a bit of comradery with all levels of autism and I hate to denounce that diagnosis that I now feel a sense of connection to. I changed my profile to high-functioning autism, but that word high-functioning is also under scrutiny by some people, so it feels a bit weird to choose that one too.

Anyway, not trying to stir anything up or create a project for anyone, but thought I'd ask.
 
It does seem a little unessasily complicated for us to have to explain these different diagnostic terms; especially when trying to explain it to friends. I personally wish they had just left the term as is, as it now adds an extra layer of confusion to those who already struggle to understand us. I personally am only self-diagnosed, but if I were given a diagnoses, with a particularly hard to remember name, I wouldn't try to explain it to people, as I doubt they'd be interested in all those technical details. I could be out of line here, but that's simply how I feel about the subject.
 
Vanilla said:
It does seem a little unessasily complicated for us to have to explain these different diagnostic terms; especially when trying to explain it to friends. I personally wish they had just left the term as is, as it now adds an extra layer of confusion to those who already struggle to understand us. I personally am only self-diagnosed, but if I were given a diagnoses, with a particularly hard to remember name, I wouldn't try to explain it to people, as I doubt they'd be interested in all those technical details. I could be out of line here, but that's simply how I feel about the subject.
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Yeah I know what you mean, I think that's part of what appeals to me about "ASD". Although it has it's own issues, it is nice in the fact that I can talk about autism and what specifically applies to me, rather than trying to talk about some category of something and then explaining that this whole other thing that everyone has heard about doesn't apply to me but it kinda does at the same time...? It gets really muddy. I'd rather just say a blanket of ASD and then point out my specific issues...
That's how I feel right now at least, that might change in the future. It is WEIRD how different all of this stuff is and yet how much the SAME it is... I hate how confusing it is...
 
Perhaps it's simpler to call yourself an Aspie. That way, even if you briefly explain that it's similar to ASD, you don't feel like you're carrying an overly-technical label, that others struggle to remember, or understand. Aspie is simple to remember, and it has a sort of casual feel about it. I know not everyone likes to use the term, but if it works for you, then I think it's fine, as it's not exactly an official term.
 
Vanilla said:
Perhaps it's simpler to call yourself an Aspie. That way, even if you briefly explain that it's similar to ASD, you don't feel like you're carrying an overly-technical label, that others struggle to remember, or understand. Aspie is simple to remember, and it has a sort of casual feel about it. I know not everyone likes to use the term, but if it works for you, then I think it's fine, as it's not exactly an official term.
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Yeah I think when I'm talking to other people on the spectrum I'll just say aspie, because it is kind of like "oh yeah you're more like this". We all know what it means and how it's different. But for laypeoples (NTs) I think I'll just give them the spiel about my specific things, 'cos I know when I was first researching it was too much to take in everything. I think everyone finds it all a little confusing, lol
 
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