I have been thinking lately about the changes in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM)-V that will affect those individuals who are struggling to make sense of their uniqueness. The revised edition is going to eliminate the diagnosis of Aspergers syndrome and just group everything under an umbrella of autism spectrum disorders. This is going to create unnecessary confusion and break what was already working for most people. I am convinced the real reason for this change is not for the good of my peers and their families, but due to a desire to shave off some of the people being diagnosed and save more insurance money for services. (I have learned a long time ago that many people like to do what is easiest and right for them.) Even if the changes prove to be disastrous, it is my fear that things will not be changed back to the old way because it would show these powers are human and have made a mistake. If given the opportunity, I want to testify in front of the brain powers who are making these chances to let them know exactly what the changes are going to do to the autism population. It is also a mockery to the man, Hans Asperger, who gave a name to my alleged defects. The man who had this condition officially named after him fourteen years after death in 1994 only to have it taken away…twenty years after that. If it is harder for people to receive a diagnosis and services then this will create a powerful chill within those who are struggling and need people to look at me in order to understand. Despite my prolific success as an author and public orator and all of the services I have received at Rehabilitation Support Services (RSS) in Poughkeepsie, there were still many times I had to struggle and was once forced to work as a dishwasher two years ago. Therefore, I cringe upon thinking about the realities of those who cannot receive a diagnosis and justify services. But most of the time, I do not want to think about it. Perhaps one of these days, I will have the opportunity to stand in front of the National Psychiatry Board, or whoever is responsible for making these changes, and come up with a better solution along with the assistance of my peers who feel the same way!
Posted on: Sat, 12 Apr 2014 15:06:21 +0000
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