The Diagnostic and Statistics Manual is known for being a valuable resource for clinicians when establishing whether or not individuals have mental disorders and what category they fit into. Because there are so many different types of disorders, it is necessary to have an accurate description so those in need of a diagnostic can be properly assisted. Recently, there has been an updated version of this manual called the DSM-5. There have been changes to multiple different disorders such as broadening the Autism Spectrum Disorder. As a repercussion of this, labels such as Asperger’s Syndrome, Pervasive Development Disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), Rett’s Disorder, and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder are all now underlined in Autism
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This is a developmental disorder that can impede a person’s social interactions, how effective their communication is, and trouble with language ("Autism - Autism Spectrum Disorders."). Having this disorder affects their entire life and can make it extremely difficult to engage in neuro-typical activities such as school and making friends. I also have another sibling who is affected by this disorder through the label Asperger’s Syndrome. This syndrome is a part of the Autism Spectrum Disorder but he is able to function more closely to the norm, he is intelligent, funny, and very sweet but he has to work even more replicate some behaviors that are typically second nature for those who are neuro-typical. After the changes to the DSM-5, he is no longer recognized as having Autism, which has made it more difficult to receive some of the understanding and patience he had in previous years, making school more difficult for …show more content…
One specific group that the changes have affected is people with Asperger’s Syndrome. Due to the changes, it has started to exclude those with higher functioning behaviors and higher intelligence (Harstad, 1). This is quite the dilemma for this community as they would not be considered on the Autism Spectrum according to this new edition which makes it difficult for them to receive the same benefits and medical assistance that they did before (Autism Research Institute). Not only does make medical policy more difficult, but it also takes away the identity that some had come to embrace. Those that had previously received a diagnosis would also struggle when it is time for reevaluation and lose their status (Autism Research Institute). Overall, the intentions of the DSM-5 changes were meant to have a positive impact on the autism community. Because of how broad the definition for this disorder has been in the past, specification has created reason for alarm among them. It is important that the creators of the new revisions to understand how it has negatively affected their medical access and sense of identity. Keeping the main reference point of mental disorders is crucial for accepting and destigmatizing those in the society facing these everyday
This is a developmental disorder that can impede a person’s social interactions, how effective their communication is, and trouble with language ("Autism - Autism Spectrum Disorders."). Having this disorder affects their entire life and can make it extremely difficult to engage in neuro-typical activities such as school and making friends. I also have another sibling who is affected by this disorder through the label Asperger’s Syndrome. This syndrome is a part of the Autism Spectrum Disorder but he is able to function more closely to the norm, he is intelligent, funny, and very sweet but he has to work even more replicate some behaviors that are typically second nature for those who are neuro-typical. After the changes to the DSM-5, he is no longer recognized as having Autism, which has made it more difficult to receive some of the understanding and patience he had in previous years, making school more difficult for …show more content…
One specific group that the changes have affected is people with Asperger’s Syndrome. Due to the changes, it has started to exclude those with higher functioning behaviors and higher intelligence (Harstad, 1). This is quite the dilemma for this community as they would not be considered on the Autism Spectrum according to this new edition which makes it difficult for them to receive the same benefits and medical assistance that they did before (Autism Research Institute). Not only does make medical policy more difficult, but it also takes away the identity that some had come to embrace. Those that had previously received a diagnosis would also struggle when it is time for reevaluation and lose their status (Autism Research Institute). Overall, the intentions of the DSM-5 changes were meant to have a positive impact on the autism community. Because of how broad the definition for this disorder has been in the past, specification has created reason for alarm among them. It is important that the creators of the new revisions to understand how it has negatively affected their medical access and sense of identity. Keeping the main reference point of mental disorders is crucial for accepting and destigmatizing those in the society facing these everyday