I had Asperger Syndrome. Briefly.
That is the title of an interesting NY Times opinion piece:
The authors of the next edition of the diagnostic manual, the D.S.M.-5, are considering a narrower definition of the autism spectrum. This may reverse the drastic increase in Asperger diagnoses that has taken place over the last 10 to 15 years. Many prominent psychologists have reacted to this news with dismay. They protest that children and teenagers on the mild side of the autism spectrum will be denied the services they need if they’re unable to meet the new, more exclusive criteria.
But my experience can’t be unique. Under the rules in place today, any nerd, any withdrawn, bookish kid, can have Asperger syndrome.
This reminded me of a close friend. He struggled with severe shyness and blamed much of it on his mother's paranoid schizophrenia. Apparently he was not cuddled much as a child and he once told me that one of his strongest early memories was being forced by his father to give his mother a hug and his mother sadly saying "It's OK, Don't force him." He couldn't explain his fear but assumed it was because he somehow sensed that his mother was different. It is natural to do that sort of thing don't you think? Not long ago, however, he remarked that maybe it wasn't his mother's fault after all. Maybe he had Asperger's syndrome and no one knew it. I don't know him well enough to say if he has Asperger's syndrome, but, if so, it seems to me that he has overcome it fairly well. I suppose behavior always comes up against that nature versus nurture discussion but I would be interested in your thoughts.
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Aug '11
Re: I had Asperger Syndrome. Briefly.
Southern Pessimist:
They protest that children and teenagers on the mild side of the autism spectrum will be denied the services they need if they’re unable to meet the new, more exclusive criteria.
Am I the only one who reads that and hears "we won't be able to get government funding anymore!"
Edited on Feb 1 at 11:54amAug '10
Re: I had Asperger Syndrome. Briefly.
Growing up, I did not know one person with a peanut allergy.
And having flown on Southwest Airlines fairly frequently for the past 30 years, have not developed one.
Does anyone know of any condition I can claim for my funding ?
What if, and not that there's anything wrong with it, I made the claim as part of my declaration that I _________________ !
(fill in blank, C o C applies)
Jul '11
Re: I had Asperger Syndrome. Briefly.
I have adhd that was never treated. I know this because hey is that a penguin on your avatar.
May '11
Re: I had Asperger Syndrome. Briefly.
It is similar to ADHD I suppose. I used to think there was a very definite organic subset in that condition but now I am not so sure. I am very skeptical of blaming sugar and dietary additives for it however.
Feb '11
Re: I had Asperger Syndrome. Briefly.
Papa Toad and I often say that if our oldest son, a brilliant and extremely twitchy young person who has great singularity of mind at times and often difficulty making personal connections, were in a school, he would have been diagnosed with Asperger's. We have never sought a diagnosis, and have discussed it with our son's doctor. She agrees that he might have it, but since he functions well and we seek no assistance from the State, we cannot see what use it would be to do so.
Peace!
Mar '11
Re: I had Asperger Syndrome. Briefly.
flownover: Growing up, I did not know one person with a peanut allergy.
And having flown on Southwest Airlines fairly frequently for the past 30 years, have not developed one.
Does anyone know of any condition I can claim for my funding ?
What if, and not that there's anything wrong with it, I made the claim as part of my declaration that I _________________ !
(fill in blank, C o C applies) · 1 hour ago
PHS (Preposterous Headgear Syndrome).
Apr '11
Re: I had Asperger Syndrome. Briefly.
Then again, maybe he just didn't want to hug his mom.
Definition of ADHD: Any child to intelligent or bored with the brain cell numbing form of education today causing them to have an inability to sit still and/or constantly searching for intelligent sensory data from other than the approved places and/or any child who constantly drinks soda pop, snacks on candy/chips etc. or eats at any of the many glucose infected fast food chains. Also, any child who ingests large quantities of corn syrup on a regular basis. Plus all children and/or adults truly having ADHD (approximately 2-5% of those diagnosed)
Jul '11
Re: I had Asperger Syndrome. Briefly.
A bad diet with no exercise sure does not help but a lousy home environment seems to me a much worse prognostic indicator for these kids and their processing disorders du jour.
What I have always disliked is those parents who wear some diagnosis as a badge and shield simultaneously. Deal with the problem, do your best, and do not play the blame game.
Mar '11
Re: I had Asperger Syndrome. Briefly.
There is a variation on Parkinson's Law here. In this case: "services" expand to soak up all the available funding.
Feb '11
Re: I had Asperger Syndrome. Briefly.
Hey, does everyone see an ad for ADHD drugs now when reading the comments, or is it just me?
Aug '10
Re: I had Asperger Syndrome. Briefly.
Percival
PHS (Preposterous Headgear Syndrome). · 11 minutes ago
Ehh...mucho sombrero pero no ganado
Jan '11
Re: I had Asperger Syndrome. Briefly.
I thought I had Asperger syndrome, but it turns out I'm just an insensitive jerk with no actual savant properties
Mar '11
Re: I had Asperger Syndrome. Briefly.
Asperberger's is a great way to define a person by their limitations instead of their possibilities.
These diagnoses almost invariably cause more harm than good.
Dec '10
Re: I had Asperger Syndrome. Briefly.
Have you ever noticed that the Left isn't just about equality -- it's about sameness? For example, it's not good enough for you guys to be feminized. Women have to be more like men too. What a dull gray world the Left would have us inhabit. I like quirky people. I'm looking at you, flownover.
Ever since Goldwater was proclaimed mentally unstable by a couple hundred psychiatrist who never met him, let alone put him on the couch, I'd say the APA(?) has been solidly on the Left. That the authors have narrowed the definition is surprising, and welcome news.
Aug '11
Re: I had Asperger Syndrome. Briefly.
So, . . . he was just a normal teenager? (By these criteria, I, too, would have been diagnosed.)
(Well, except for the E.M. Forster thing.)
Edited on Feb 1 at 2:00pmAug '11
Re: I had Asperger Syndrome. Briefly.
Join the collective!
Nov '11
Re: I had Asperger Syndrome. Briefly.
SP, I have Cerebral Palsy; en route to a long-ago-acquired B.A., I sat through Psych classes. This article reminded me of Goffman's work on labeling/stigma and Seligman's on "learned helplessness". As those here know: Words mean things, they matter. Thank goodness my parents and siblings disregarded expert advice like: "You shouldn't take her home." and "She'll never be able to...".
Mama Toad, blessings to all at the Pad! You always brighten my day!
Dec '10
Re: I had Asperger Syndrome. Briefly.
My wife has been unofficially diagnosed with AS (the doctor did not want to potentially stigmatize her with an official diagnosis). Her son (my stepson) has it. Our daughter also has it (I knew when I saw her observing the other girls at a party trying to figure out why they were doing what they were doing). It's for real. Now all three are high functioning autistics who can make their way in the world, although probably not to their full potential. My wife wrote papers on English literature that were over my head, but she is a full-time CNA making minimum wage. The notion that high functioning autistics can't make it without government help is nonsense. They've been doing it for generations.
Dec '10
Re: I had Asperger Syndrome. Briefly.
iWc: Asperberger's is a great way to define a person by their limitations instead of their possibilities.
These diagnoses almost invariably cause more harm than good. · 24 minutes ago
I have to mildly disagree. A diagnosis can lead one to behavioral techniques and medications that can make life a lot less stressful. You are correct that focusing on the limitations is harmful. High functioning autistics have unique perspectives and intense dedication. I suspect that many of our great advances came from them.
Jul '11
Re: I had Asperger Syndrome. Briefly.
Anthony Kaiser, kudos to her. My 17 year old boy was rocking back and forth chewing on his shirt and getting D's or the equivalent in second grade from what was at least partially ADHD for which I had tried numerous behavioral modification techniques. I had him medicated intermittently and he got A's and B's and now pretty much A's with him off meds since middle school. I never wanted to treat him pharmacologically but had little choice. He never had a special plan and I never cut him slack about being responsible or respectful. He is a great kid and will make a fine man wherever he lands. It sounds like yours will do well also. You are correct in folks making it without government assistance. Families help immeasurably and beat the feds, always.