Comments for AS Parenting

Comment on DSM V Under Attack by Sam's mom

Sam's mom — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 02:38:03 +0000

Nice analogy … but things are never quite as simple as they seem.

Here’s the kicker – Granny smith seeds are not viable seeds alone to reproduce another
Granny Smith …
You will not get a Granny Smith apple from a Granny Smith seed …

SO … define seed …

Definitions matter … and so do the policies that will be derived from them

Comment on Fallacy of a Generation by ictus75

ictus75 — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 06:36:56 +0000

As an Aspie, I take real offense to these articles. They seem to be a lot of opinion & conjecture, without any scientific backing. I have social anxiety, sensory issues, I stim, among other things, yet I’m apparently “not Autistic enough” according to them. This is as ridiculous as saying that an African-American person with light skin just isn’t “Black enough.” Crazy, huh?

Comment on “Asperger’s Syndrome is infectious.” by D. Collins

D. Collins — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:38:33 +0000

Glory, I love your statement that we all grow up with imperfect parents and that a parent with Aspergers can teach his or her child. My daughter was diagnosed with Aspergers several years ago and though it still can be a challenge. She still throw tantrums, which is hard, but I have learned from http://onlineceucredit.com/edu/social-work-ceus-ep that discipline is just as appropriate for her as any other child. I definitely recommend taking a look!

Comment on DSM V Under Attack by Melody

Melody — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 09:40:32 +0000

Place holder for my response in the morning.

Comment on DSM V Under Attack by Lucy berrington

Lucy berrington — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 06:27:20 +0000

I appreciate your points, but the issues are more extensive. The new criteria as currently written have some merits, but they are narrow, child-oriented and subjective. They need more work. Regardless of volkmar’s motives ( which are speculative), we urgently need more research on the likely impact of these changes, which currently threaten to undiagnose many Aspies and adults who benefit from the dx and associated supports. Two members of the DSM committee have indicated that a narrowing of the definition is a goal of this process, and there is evidence of political and financial pressure to bring that about.
The organization I’m involved with has overwhelming experience and evidence of the importance of the aspergers label in people’s lives. There is no good reason I can see that the DSM should not retain it as a shorthand descriptor for this portion of a very wide and confusing spectrum (and if other labels can effectively serve other sub-types, good). Before the ASpergers dx was introduced, people with the condition were given various filler diagnoses (schizophrenia, bipolar, OCD etc) which were no more helpful than were the info and services designed for classic autism. The AS label is a gateway to tailored info and strategies that help individuals, families, clinicians and educators. It provides identity and access to a community that has a transformational effect on many lives.
I’m concerned that a commentator above suggests this is only about some practitioners “not interpreting the criteria as broadly as they are intended.” how can anyone know what is intended, beyond what the committee puts in writing? The criteria are what will be used to determine dx.

Comment on DSM V Under Attack by Jayn

Jayn — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:41:47 +0000

D bothers me because while I agree that ASDs CAN be disabling, in my case it isn’t. I don’t have significant day-to-day issues (Cripes, I wasn’t diagnosed until I was 24), but that doesn’t mean I have no challenges. I agree with farmwifetwo’s point in her final sentence, but we’re not remotely there yet. In the meantime, I think that keeping the less-severely affected in the diagnosis is helpful, both with finding outside acceptance and on the psychological well-being of people affected. Getting diagnosed led to me feeling normal and not-broken for the first time in my life.

Comment on DSM V Under Attack by farmwifetwo

farmwifetwo — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:35:14 +0000

Always love those that claim the ID are not included… what part of “ACCORDING TO THEIR DEVELOPMENTAL LEVEL” means they have to have an IQ score that is age appropriate to qualify for the dx?? Also, at the end it says “may not manifest until….” which will catch those that are older when the impairments become an issue.

My eldest (12) will lose his.

My youngest (10) hits them all.

I’m one that won’t miss the adult aspies and the “way of being” crowd. Autism is a DISABILITY. I’m hoping the new dx stays just as it is. My family Dr told me about a year ago “the DSM IV allows you to dx anyone with anything”…. If you truly believe people are “different” and simply part of the “norm”, we shouldn’t require dx’s so we can “belong”… should we??

Comment on DSM V Under Attack by What’s in a name? « Blue Dog

What’s in a name? « Blue Dog — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 19:57:24 +0000

[...] Reading. Melody Latimer uses apples as an instructive (and funny) analogy to explain the problem in DSM-V Under Attack, and Michael Forbes Wilcox points out that autism is a neurological condition, not essentially a [...]

Comment on DSM V Under Attack by Savannah Logsdon-Breakstone

Savannah Logsdon-Breakstone — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 21:25:16 +0000

So many excellent and to the point posts, Melody. I think you are one of my personal heroes right now. (Not in the “inspiring”, idealistic, distancing way but in the motivating, awesome work, and achieving something I want to do someday way?)

The number of people who actually believe the article is both astounding and disheartening. Yes, we will still have to deal with the professionals who don’t interpret the criteria as broadly as intended. But again, NOT A NEW PROBLEM. Just. UGH.

Additionally, GRASP clinging on to this is no suprise at all- they’ve been very anti-DSMV ever since it was announced that Asperger’s would be folded under the ASD dx. They- for whatever reasons, which I’ve debated the culture of with the founder of GRASP before- have a stake in keeping Asperger’s separate from ASD. Additionally, it feeds into the cultural elements that make people with other ASD Dxs or who have further care needs feel uncomfortable at some GRASP groups. (Note: not all GRASP chapters have this issue, but a sizable enough number do.)

Comment on DSM V Under Attack by outoutout

outoutout — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 04:19:57 +0000

Thank you for this article, Melody. I admit to being sucked in by a lot of the hype, but you make a lot of good points and I can’t say I disagree now. Thank you!