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Aspergers label being used

Iain

I've noticed more posts recently where people are saying they have received an autism diagnosis but then they add Aspergers in brackets.

It has been more than 12 years since it was dropped as a clinical term so I'm wondering why it seems to be talked about more in these last few weeks.

It was just a passing curiosity.

Parents Reply
  • in reply to Expecto_Patronum

    thought same and was going to comment too but didn't.

    I also didn't get a level on my diagnosis at the start of the year.  The important thing for me was the diagnosis. 

    As we have spiky profiles then I expect our supports needs are spiky not linear too, so how do the levels cope with that ?

    Hence not sure the levels are really of use to anyone at all.  If anyone can enlighten me on their value  ? seeing as I'm apparently level-less but Autistic 

Children
  • in reply to Jalapeno

    DSM 5 was used for me also and I was given ASD Level 1. It just refers to level of support required. 3 being the most support needed. And that’s surely not right about adding to your travel insurance? 

  • in reply to Stuart333

    DSM 5 was my diagnosis criteria but I didn't get a level afaik, I can double check  - but as no one seems to use it and never been asked, it does seem a little pointless 

    I got travel insurance yesterday - and ASD was all that it asked when quoting, not DSM level, which added 15% to the premium, not sure why but there you go.

  • in reply to Jalapeno

    I think the levels are area dependent. The original Asperger's diagnosis was an interesting anyway because one criteria was language development. I was assessed before the term was got rid of and at first that is what the assessor suggested but once we talked about delayed speech he changed his mind.

    I don't love the levels system. I don't know whether it's needed. I'm aware that there are autistic people who do have far more need than the rest of us and will have coexisting conditions such as learning difficulties and obviously they should get the support that is needed. Do we need to label this with a level though? Can we not just assess on an individual basis whether someone needs support or not? The levels definitely don't account for spiky profiles or the fluctuations we experience depending on the day.

    I dislike PIP for this. They have the 2 levels of rate but you still need to be able to prove a significant amount of need to get the lower rate and the lower rate is still quite a lot of money. If they'd just assess the individual and work out what that individual needs they may be able to give an amount of signpost them to the correct services and end up saving a lot of money as not everyone would need that amount. So many more people would be able to manage independent living if this was the case - again saving money that would be spent on housing/care.

  • in reply to Jalapeno

    There are 2 sets of criteria, DSM-5  American Psychiatric Association) and ICD-11 (World Health Organisation).

    The DSM-5 was contributed to by UK people , e.g. Francesca Happe.

    The two are quite similar in terms of criteria. DSM-5 has levels, ICD-11 does not. Since support needs vary with circumstance, over time and depending on state (e.g. burnout, stress level) it is not all that informative.

    Some here, including my assessor, prefer using DSM-5. But as the NHS don't use the levels they are left out. They are viewed as outdated.

    Some may give you a number. But needs are assessed on an individual basis, e.g. you might be 1, but need help for something specific.