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TheFunDumpster5 karma

It's more like Asperger's got split into two things now: ASD and Social Communication Disorder. ASD has four levels which is more severe if you show more traits (repetition, sensory overload, rituals). So, in the past if you had none of these traits but still had a brain that couldn't understand non-verbal language, can't make eye-contact etc... you'd still be labeled Autistic with Asperger's. Now, you'd be labeled with Social Communication Disorder which lies right outside the spectrum. Confusingly, you are still considered to have Asperger's (in a casual way in the Autism community) and in fact do outside the US where SCD doesn't exist. So, yeah, it's a big mess but things will change as more research gets done. Asperger's was only added to the DSM in 1994, after all, and has come a long way from early beliefs that it's a "mental illness".

TheFunDumpster2 karma

How do you feel about sectioning off people who were once diagnosed with Asperger's into Social Communication Disorder? What benefits do you see in this? Is there hope we will see more research in SCD or does it lying outside the Autistic Spectrum limit incentive?

On a similar note, what are your thoughts on Schizoid Personality Disorder? I've heard some Aspies have been diagnosed or misdiagnosed with this in recent years. Both seem to have little in way of information and research when compared to Asperger's which seems to make a diagnosis frustrating and confusing to receive.

Thanks for doing this AMA!

TheFunDumpster1 karma

What specifically limits the Autistic when it comes to athletic pursuits? Is there any hope in technology and science helping overcome these hurdles? Any examples of cases who have gone against this trend?