Does Asperger Syndrome still exist in ICD-11?

There are rumours circulating that ICD-11 will more closely align itself with the American DSM-5 and exclude the term Asperger Syndrome by incorporating into Autism Spectrum Disorder. I have had a look at the draft of ICD-11 and found the following:

6A02 Autism spectrum disorder

6A02.0 Autism spectrum disorder without disorder of intellectual development and with mild or no impairment of functional language

Description: All definitional requirements for autism spectrum disorder are met, intellectual functioning and adaptive behaviour are found to be at least within the average range (approximately greater than the 2.3rd percentile), and there is only mild or no impairment in the individual's capacity to use functional language (spoken or signed) for instrumental purposes, such as to express personal needs and desires.

All index terms:

Autism spectrum disorder without disorder of intellectual development and with mild or no impairment of functional language

Asperger syndrome

Asperger

Asperger disorder

Autism spectrum disorder without disorder of intellectual development and without impairment of functional language

It appears that the official term for the condition is "Autism spectrum disorder without disorder of intellectual development and with mild or no impairment of functional language" that's a mouthful but a generally good technical description whilst Asperger syndrome is included as an alternative / unofficial / popular / colloquial term.

The question now is whether the recent paper by Herwig Czech will impose pressure on the WHO to completely eliminate Asperger syndrome from the final publication of ICD-11.

Parents
  • If they're going to include colloquialisms, and consider Asperger's to be one, I don't see how they can avoid including it.  

  • Emotion and pressure from Jewish and holocaust survivor communities.

    Simon Baron-Cohen (who is also Jewish in origin) wants Asperger Syndrome eliminated as a medical term.

    IMO the term is now too entrenched to be eliminated or deemed an unacceptable or offensive word.

    I also do not see any connections between DSM-5 and the findings of Herwig Czech when it comes to a future decision whether to rename or eliminate AS or not. They are separate and independent events.

  • Huh! So we on the autistic spectrum are having a decision made for us using emotional parameters - because obviously we cannot be trusted to decide for ourselves on such matters, having no emotion and all that. 

    Regardless of what's decided now, I was diagnosed with Asperger's and and that's what I'll continue to use.  

  • Stepping over and around the hot piles of your other opinions, I totally agree that the term should be left alone regardless of who finds it offensive. I use it and I'm of Jewish heritage (I don't consider myself Jewish but I have maternal lineage from my grandmother, I think that that would qualify me though! Right Arran!).

    I was saying in the Hans Asperger thread that Czech's attack on Frith was disgusting. The problem I have with Czech's paper is the effect it could have is on past and future research. If the term gets changed that's bad but if it does I will still use it, it's more alarming if it effects research.

    I think that the issue is more about his use of so called "euthanasia" but I think that you seem to have a bit of an agenda. Autistic children were murdered, so in general people connected with Autism might find it in bad taste. Especially considering the emphasis on todays academic community to be totally politically correct. There's where my concern lies, it might effect further research built on the past that cannot be changed.

    Defenders of Hans Asperger could end up becoming another David Irving.

    I highly doubt it. Why David Irving specifically? I don't think Uta Frith is a holocaust denying, Hitler defending, openly racist, Nazi propagandist with links to Facist groups. Funny that one. He seems to share some of your views on the media and the holocaust.

Reply
  • Stepping over and around the hot piles of your other opinions, I totally agree that the term should be left alone regardless of who finds it offensive. I use it and I'm of Jewish heritage (I don't consider myself Jewish but I have maternal lineage from my grandmother, I think that that would qualify me though! Right Arran!).

    I was saying in the Hans Asperger thread that Czech's attack on Frith was disgusting. The problem I have with Czech's paper is the effect it could have is on past and future research. If the term gets changed that's bad but if it does I will still use it, it's more alarming if it effects research.

    I think that the issue is more about his use of so called "euthanasia" but I think that you seem to have a bit of an agenda. Autistic children were murdered, so in general people connected with Autism might find it in bad taste. Especially considering the emphasis on todays academic community to be totally politically correct. There's where my concern lies, it might effect further research built on the past that cannot be changed.

    Defenders of Hans Asperger could end up becoming another David Irving.

    I highly doubt it. Why David Irving specifically? I don't think Uta Frith is a holocaust denying, Hitler defending, openly racist, Nazi propagandist with links to Facist groups. Funny that one. He seems to share some of your views on the media and the holocaust.

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