Leonard Williams has turned his obsession with painting sticks into a business—decorated walking sticks.
There is a book, which you may have never heard of, that holds a great deal of power in the world of mental disorders. This “Psychiatry Bible” is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, commonly called the DSM. It was first published in 1952 and has been revised several times since then. The DSM-5 (or DSM-V, the fifth edition) is due for publication in 2013, and a certain proposed change is causing a stir in some circles. In fact, the change could affect thousands of American children and teenagers.
The American Psychiatric Association, which publishes the DSM, is proposing that the diagnosis of Asperger syndrome be eliminated and included under the broader diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Asperger syndrome is characterized by repetitive patterns of behavior and interests combined with difficulties in social interaction. Cognitive and language abilities are ordinarily not impaired, in contrast with individuals with ASD, who often have intellectual and language deficits.
Proponents of the change in the DSM say that there is much disagreement among professionals as to what, exactly, Asperger’s is and, therefore, when it is an accurate diagnosis. Including Asperger syndrome in an ASD diagnosis allows a description of severity to play a part. Opponents of the change contend that the Asperger’s label and diagnosis has helped hundreds of thousands of people identify their situation and get help specific to their needs. Opponents also say that the supportive community that has formed for Asperger’s individuals would be fragmented. (Please note that these are simplified summaries of complex issues.) A particular concern is that students with Asperger’s will no longer receive the specialized help they need in the classroom.
Image credit: © AP Photo/Kelsey Dayton, Casper Star-Tribune
Related Links
- Asperger’s Syndrome and the DSM-5
Click on the links to learn more about objections to the proposed change.
(Source: Asperger’s Association of New England; accessed February 29, 2012) - My Life with Asperger Syndrome
Read 17-year-old Cameron Blackwell’s account of his experiences with Asperger syndrome.
(Source: education.com; accessed February 29, 2012) - Psychiatric Diagnoses: Why No One Is Satisfied
This article looks at a broader question: How can psychiatric disorders be described accurately?
(Source: ScienceDaily, February 15, 2012) - Asperger Syndrome
Get the background on Asperger syndrome here.
(Source: Wikipedia; accessed February 29, 2012)
