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

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by Merely Me
Monday, February 15, 2010

• Asperger's Syndrome will no longer be a diagnostic label and will be classified as an Autism Spectrum Disorder.

• Childhood Disintegrative Disorder will be subsumed under the diagnostic category of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

• Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified will be subsumed under the category of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

What does all of this mean for me and you?  It is really hard to say at this point.  As a mother to a child who has both autism and learning disabilities I am hoping one result will be better services and treatments but I wouldn't count on it.  By making Asperger's Syndrome lumped under Autism Spectrum Disorders I wonder if my son will have to compete against more children or individuals for services who otherwise would not be diagnosed with autism.  And likewise I worry for the children and adults who have Asperger's Syndrome who have embraced the term as a strong way to identify themselves and form communities of support.  I have a feeling that many people who have Asperger's Syndrome will not wish to be diagnosed under such a huge umbrella which could give them the same label as someone far more severely impaired. 

Changing the terms of Learning Disorders to Learning Disabilities does change the subjective meaning to these types of challenges.  This change in terminology may affect how the public views this diagnosis.  How does it feel to say you have a learning disability as opposed to a learning disorder? 

No matter what diagnosticians call something, the fact is that the challenges faced by a particular individual remain the same.  Calling it something else doesn't change the fact that my son, for example, needs a lot of treatment and services.  In a perfect world, such changes in diagnostic labeling and criteria would help people get the treatment and support they need, provide enough clarity to prevent over or under diagnosis, and reduce stigma for that particular challenge among the greater community.   Seldom is utopia achieved so I am cautious about predicting the results of the proposed changes.  We will simply have to wait and see.

What are your thoughts on these possible alterations to how learning disabilities and/or autism spectrum disorders are diagnosed?  What do you think this will mean for you, your child, or your family?  Do share your thoughts and feelings here.  We want to hear from you!