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What is the difference between Asperger Syndrome and ASD Level 1?

Arran

A 14 year old has been identified as having suspected AS by a police officer following a long a circuitous route starting with a Prevent referral at his secondary school.

It was reported back to his secondary school but they no longer recognise AS as a condition as they have gone down the DSM-5 ASD route. The school also does not accept that he has ASD - even at Level 1 - as he does not meet either of two criteria:

1. A noticeable speech and language delay - either currently or at any time since starting primary school.

2. Behind academically in the main subjects - English language, maths, science.

His mother stressed to the school that two criteria of AS are:

1. No noticeable speech and language delay.

2. Average or above average academically in the main subjects.

He is of quite high academic ability, most notably in maths, science, computer science, and geography.

What is the difference between Asperger Syndrome and ASD Level 1?

Is a noticeable speech and language delay and being behind academically in the main subjects essential criteria for an ASD Level 1 diagnosis?

Parents

  • No. It was once the dividing line between 'high functioning autism', with speech delay, and Asperger's, without speech delay. If they are using DSM-5 ASD, they really need to read the diagnostic criteria contained in it and not just invent stuff. No-one now gives diagnoses of Asperger's, it is all ASD (or ASC). The criteria they are quoting do not exist for diagnosis of ASD Level 1. Diagnostic criteria are summarised as: “persistent difficulties with social communication and social interaction” and “restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviours, activities or interests” (this includes sensory behaviour), present since early childhood, to the extent that these “limit and impair everyday functioning”.  Nowhere does this include delay in speech and language acquisition or low academic achievement. At best the school are putting their own limits on to whom they give support and passing this off as being clinically sanctioned. At worst they are entirely uninformed about ASD diagnostic criteria. Presumably, there is  no-one at the school who is qualified to give a clinical opinion? In which case their criteria are invalid anyway.

    A clinical assessment would be the best thing for the child. In the meantime there are a number of AQ tests for autistic traits available online, getting scores within the autistic range might give some leverage over the school.

  • in reply to Martin
    Martin said:
    No-one now gives diagnoses of Asperger's, it is all ASD (or ASC).

    Wrong. Diagnoses of AS still take place as ICD-10 is still a current publication.

     “persistent difficulties with social communication" - could be interpreted as speech and language delays.

    “limit and impair everyday functioning” - could be interpreted as behind academically in the main subjects.

  • in reply to Arran

    The nhs tends to prefer the dsm-5 over the ICD-10 these days, at least for autism, so if you get a formal diagnosis in the uk your child would probably get ASD rather than AS as a diagnosis 

  • in reply to Peter

    It depends on the Trust and even the consultant. The decision for NHS Trusts to change from ICD-10 (what medical professionals use) to DSM-5 has not been without controversy.

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