Learning Disabilities are in and Asperger's Syndrome is Out: Big Changes for the DSM-5

Thank you for alerting us to this information. I often ponder whether to say my child has a learning disability or a learning disorder. A disability indicates an inability to accomplish something. In some ways this is true. But what I really find to be true is that  he needs the opportunity to be able to accomplish certain things, just in a different way. Recently I heard an old NPR interview with Quinn Bradlee and Dr. Sprhinzten. In the interview Quinn said he liked to identify his learning problems as learning differences. I liked that. Because there are some things my son can accomplish just like anyone else, given the chance and the right tools to do it with. It may take him longer and it surely will take a different avenue for him. But, he needs the experience and the opportunity for accomplishment.

My point in this is that when I refer to him as having a learning disability, the opportunities are more likely to be a bit more scarce. But, I actually have explained many times to others that he must learn differently than other people. However, that should not rob him of the opportunity to learn to do something.

How this all effects public services with its terminology is a different story. Because when it comes to this area, then in a way, Learning Disability is a more accurate term. It seems to me it is necessary for others to understand without proper aid and support then the person will be disabled.

At first glance, it seems that the proposed change concerning learning disabilities is more consistent with the language used in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.  I think this could bring us one step closer to resolving long-standing rifts in the education and psychiatric communities concerning diagnosis.  (Read about the differences in diagnostic systems and how they affect students.) This could bring an end (thank goodness) to arguments like whether or not dyslexia is a learning disability (which it can be if severe enough). 

In an ideal system, children's services should be based on their individual needs and not their diagnostic labels.  While the label may give us some general ideas of what a child may need, it is important to carefully consider evaluation information, parent input, the child's input when possible, and teacher opinions along with research based instructional strategies when developing a child's individual education program.

I was born with a whatasized learning disability. I was developmentally delayed, didn't talk until I was two, and had (still have) a math level that won't go beyond a third grade level. Whatever the DSM-5 is going to say about learning disabilities being called learning disabilities isn't going to make much of a difference to me. I was taught by my parents at an early age to say "I have a learning disabllity." In the late 1960's my parents were taught to say the words "learning disability" by the doctors and diagnosticians who tested me.

These words have always been comfortable for me to say. Do I LIKE having a learning disability? Absolutely not. But these words have given my parents and me comfort, because for the first five years of my life my parents were angry and frustrated that some docs didn't have a clue as to why I was born the way I was. I mentioned earlier that I have a "whatasized" learning disability. Besides the math disability I problems with following directions as they are given to me. I have to have things given to me in simple, concrete terms. Mapquest has been a godsend for me. Maps are abstract to me, so I use the driving directions.

This learning disability has come with its contradictions too. I've always had very high reading scores and my reading level has stayed at a college level since I graduated from college 22 years ago. Talk about baffling the teachers and professors!

On the subject of Asberger's Syndrome and autism: it is sad that the DSM has always lumped illnesses in with each other. Maybe they're trying to be efficient - I don't know. I don't think that tidying up illnesses with each other is going to help anyone, especially folks like yourself who are in some of the same "battle trenches" that my parents were in 42 years ago. I know you and other parents must be terribly frustrated. Please know that I'm rooting for you and other parents and children.

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