The question if diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder should change a little to be more accurate

[scleod]

I was diagnosed with high-functioning Asperger's and I was perfectly happy with that. I do not like the new ASD1 label and the people who hung that on me are welcome to take it back and cram it sideways into the most uncomfortable place possible.

I concur. With the old DSM my diagnosis its also high function aspergers. I have lived a relatively "normal" life thus far. But with the new DSM I fall in ASD2 because of certain ticks, stims, anxieties and so forth. Though most people have the misconception that someone who has ASD2 has a limiting functions. (My CAT-Q score is also well above average especially for a female making it nearly impossible to tell I am autistic at first "take" in person)
With the new DSMs terminologies there is a different stigma.

 

[Dagan]

Seems to me that testing kids these days must be quite different and more complex, as so much exists that allows all of them to be anti-social, linked to online, individualism aspects and so forth.

 

[Neonatal RRT]

I concur. With the old DSM my diagnosis its also high function aspergers. I have lived a relatively "normal" life thus far. But with the new DSM I fall in ASD2 because of certain ticks, stims, anxieties and so forth. Though most people have the misconception that someone who has ASD2 has a limiting functions. (My CAT-Q score is also well above average especially for a female making it nearly impossible to tell I am autistic at first "take" in person)
With the new DSMs terminologies there is a different stigma.

Just for clarity here:

AI Overview


ASD Levels 1, 2, and 3 are primarily categorized
by the level of support needed rather than just the severity of symptoms. Defined by the DSM-5, these levels—requiring support, substantial support, or very substantial support—help determine necessary interventions across social communication and restricted, repetitive behaviors, rather than acting as strict labels for ability.

• Level 1 (Requiring Support): Generally deemed "high-functioning" or mild. Individuals need some support for social communication challenges and organization/planning, but can often navigate daily life with minimal assistance.
• Level 2 (Requiring Substantial Support): Involves moderate, more obvious challenges in verbal/nonverbal communication and behavioral inflexibility that interfere with daily functioning, requiring more structured intervention.
• Level 3 (Requiring Very Substantial Support): Represents severe, high-level needs. These individuals have significant deficits in verbal and nonverbal social communication, with severe behavioral inflexibility that profoundly impacts daily life.
  

These levels can change over time based on development, therapy, and support availability

Having said that... this is why most people have the "misconception" that an ASD2 has some degree of disability... because it is primarily categorized by the level of support needed... not severity of symptoms. In other words,... by the above definition, it's not a misconception. Which begs the questions, "Who needs more support around activities of daily living and why?" Now, these levels can change... they can even be misdiagnosed... which from your description above... at least from an autism perspective... leans towards a misdiagnosis. If combined with a traumatic brain injury (TBI)... it may be the TBI more than the autism component that "pushed" you into the ASD2 category. Speculating.

On the other hand, I wasn't aware of my disabilities until I had gone through a comprehensive testing session in the cognitive performance lab at the mental health hospital. There were specific things that my brain literally locked up... like some cruel Jedi mind trick. There were others where my reaction times were so slow I couldn't even participate in the exercises. Now... I had gone 50 years... very "high functioning"... above average IQ... self-taught myself all sorts of skills... I work in an intense environment... there's nothing I can't do. So, imagine the humiliation and confusion I had when I literally couldn't do something... in 3 different tests! I scored very high on other tests, but the point remains that it is possible to go through life leaning on our strengths... and that may be enough to overcome the weaknesses. We might go through life simply avoiding... or adapting and overcoming certain things seemingly without conscious effort.

As far as "stigma"... this is quite literally in your own mind. That's your ego talking to you. Most people outside the autism community have zero idea of what autism is let alone how it may be categorized. Frankly, most people don't care or give any thought to it... unless you bring attention to it.

 

[scleod]

Just for clarity here:

AI Overview

Not super fond of AI but I will let that slide

Having said that... this is why most people have the "misconception" that an ASD2 has some degree of disability... because it is primarily categorized by the level of support needed... not severity of symptoms. In other words,... by the above definition, it's not a misconception. Which begs the questions, "Who needs more support around activities of daily living and why?" Now, these levels can change... they can even be misdiagnosed... which from your description above... at least from an autism perspective... leans towards a misdiagnosis. If combined with a traumatic brain injury (TBI)... it may be the TBI more than the autism component that "pushed" you into the ASD2 category. Speculating.

At the time when I was diagnosed. The psychiatrist had said I was ASD2 on the cusp of level 3. Maybe because of my severe behavior inflexibility, challenges with communication and emotions. I did not have a current TBI but had had past TBIs. Had no verbal issues. Needed no assistance in daily life (omo since 14). Had a career and l was a manager of a large business.

Her reasoning behind my score was because of my masking score. It was abnormally high. Without the mask she saw a completely different person.

On the other hand, I wasn't aware of my disabilities until I had gone through a comprehensive testing session in the cognitive performance lab at the mental health hospital. There were specific things that my brain literally locked up... like some cruel Jedi mind trick. There were others where my reaction times were so slow I couldn't even participate in the exercises. Now... I had gone 50 years... very "high functioning"... above average IQ... self-taught myself all sorts of skills... I work in an intense environment... there's nothing I can't do. So, imagine the humiliation and confusion I had when I literally couldn't do something... in 3 different tests! I scored very high on other tests, but the point remains that it is possible to go through life leaning on our strengths... and that may be enough to overcome the weaknesses. We might go through life simply avoiding... or adapting and overcoming certain things seemingly without conscious effort.

What do you refer to when you say "disabilities"? As I to would probably be the same. Much like a frog in a pot of water.

As far as "stigma"... this is quite literally in your own mind. That's your ego talking to you. Most people outside the autism community have zero idea of what autism is let alone how it may be categorized. Frankly, most people don't care or give any thought to it... unless you bring attention to it.

You may think it is my "ego" talking. But it is not. It us just facts. I enjoy being autistic, take pride in being unique. When it is somehow brought into conversation, (ie my lack of eye contact one day) I dont typically mention this information the response has often been "oh you don't look Rxxxxded". When I use the term aspergers it is a response of "sweet like Elon Musk, that makes sense". In the area that I live it is very hick "small" town or uneducated. The hard R word is dropped often.

 

[Neonatal RRT]

What do you refer to when you say "disabilities"?

In one test, I was given a computer and mouse... "When you see the color black, click the mouse." Easy enough... but the colors were flipping faster than I could react with the mouse click... got every single one wrong. Reaction times too slow.

In another test, I was given 5-6 random objects, a toy car, a feather, a dice, etc... "Now, make up a story using each object as a character." My brain totally locked up... I just looked at the objects... then at the psychologist... red faced and frustrated. That didn't happen. I didn't have any idea where to start.

In another test, I had to read a children's book... a strange story with flying frogs. At any rate, "Describe to me how the characters were feeling on each page." Again... my brain locked up. Couldn't even begin.

As I am writing this out, I still would have no idea where to start with this... even if I had some time to prepare. So, my disabilities are more in that classic autism pre-frontal cortex area where cognitive empathy lie... but also in my ability to process and respond to information quickly. At some level, I've always known this... but never tested. Quick-paced card games with a group... nope... not me. Give me a game where it requires a thought process and strategy... planning... then I'll kick your behind. I don't read fiction... or anything with "characters"... because there's symbolism and feelings that aren't always described in the text... and I miss a lot of the undercurrents of the story. "How would you feel if..." scenarios that, frankly, I would have no clue. A movie... with a musical soundtrack that sets the mood and emotion... then I can follow along.

 

[Matthias]

Many parents do not realize or want to acknowledge that their children are "different". They can even become angry if someone (who is more observant) suggests that they have their child evaluated.

They especially don't want to be blamed for their child's autism.

 

[velociraptor]

They especially don't want to be blamed for their child's autism.

Only a complete idiot would do this.

 

[scleod]

Only a complete idiot would do this.

Or they are projecting their own deep "subconscious" terror of being on the spectrum themselves. Case and point my late father.

 

[Shamar]

Only a complete idiot would do this.

The way I see it, the world is neck deep in idiots.

 

[JayCee]

Parents in my time , nope not really idiots . Just embarassed . To have a Mentally disabled
child . Thought it reflected on them somehow directly . And the knowledge base on the issue was badly limited . Nope ,they prolly never heard of Ole Hans asberger german guy .
Both very smart, too many kids , too many responsibilities . Non Verbal little sister .I Was a living after thought .For them . But not knowing any better . Even myself had no knowledge on the issue, just suffered the fallout , Serious sibling abuse ,I Hid under the house alot .But sense of right and wrong grew with me. Noone got charged with abuse. Fell in with other unDxed gifted students late into high school .
Claimed ,I should have been in their classes. Easy to talk to ! At 16 best friend became a pharmacy tech . Too smart , learned to read PDR drug books . Learned about drugs , Watched experimentations by them . Outdated throw away drugs by his boss. Still good
freebie pharmaceuticals.Learned about them, Read the PDR.Looked up lil sis,s medicine, Doc prescribed thorazine to abused little sister, I looked it up . Changed Moms and sisters life .When I loudly complained and informed Mom of drug realities .She started the first Autistic association in LA. with other parents, Who were drugging their kids too. After confronting their Doctors, Mongoloids, and N.D. s parents all jumped in . New schools.Formed. Amazing stuff .in late 1960s.

 

[Matthias]

Only a complete idiot would do this.

There was a guy who claimed to have essentially cured many kids with autism with psychosocial intervention alone, which I think, if true, would mean that parenting somehow contributes to autism. I don't think it's easy to express that opinion, if you believed it, without it coming across as blaming parents. If autism results from parental behavior and no one investigates it (or refrains from sharing what they found) because they don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, there will never be a cure for autism.

 

[velociraptor]

if true

Not true. Not going to bother debating. I know where the science is and it's nowhere near there, never will be.

 

[Wizardry]

There was a guy who claimed to have essentially cured many kids with autism with psychosocial intervention alone, which I think, if true, would mean that parenting somehow contributes to autism. I don't think it's easy to express that opinion, if you believed it, without it coming across as blaming parents. If autism results from parental behavior and no one investigates it (or refrains from sharing what they found) because they don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, there will never be a cure for autism.

Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition. You can't turn an autistic person into a neurotypical any more than you can turn a neurotypical into an autistic person. Psychosocial intervention can change behaviour and strengthen social skills, but it can't change the way a brain is wired or how a nervous system perceives the world. How could a psychosocial intervention possibly change one's sensory perception (many autistic people have sensory differences to the general population)?

There are many siblings brought up in the same household who have different neurotypes. I even knew a pair of twins where one had autism and the other one didn't. If parenting could cause autism, assuming all children were parented the same, we'd expect that all of the children born and raised by the same parents would have the same neurotype, yet this is often not the case.