Is it better than how things were previously? I was dxed with Asperger's because that was still an official diagnosis in May 2019. These were how a dx was given. 1)social communication & social interaction at Asperger's level = Asperger's . 2) One at classical autism level,one at Asperger's level = Asperger's 3) Both at classical autism level= classical autism.
I fitted the second group. Social interaction = Asperger's level. Social communication= classical autism level . I would say that I'm different from both groups 1 and 3. Does the spectrum approach make that difference more or less clear? I'm not at all sure. Is it important that that difference is acknowledged by those working with autistic persons? I would say 'yes' to that. Although closer to those in group 1, I don't fully identify with such people. That may or may not be increased by having a comorbid SMI.