Why isn’t ‘Asperger’s Syndrome’ a diagnosis anymore?

Why isn't 'Asperger's Syndrome' a diagnosis anymore? 

In 2013, the diagnosis of 'Asperger's Syndrome' was removed from the diagnostic manual that diagnosing clinicians use, called the DSM-5 (The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition). Instead, the condition is now brought under the umbrella of ‘Autism Spectrum Disorder’ (ASD). 

What do we call 'Aspergers' Syndrome' now? 

ASD has been categorised into three levels, and Asperger's Syndrome is now considered to generally fall under the diagnostic category of ‘Level 1 Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)’. The DSM-5 introduced three ASD levels to help describe the severity that people experience the symptoms of ASD, and are described below. 

• Level 1 is described as “requiring support”.
  • Social communication:
    • Without supports I place, deficits in social communication cause noticable impairments.
    • Difficulty initiation social interactions.
    • Atypical or unsuccessful response to social overtures of others.
    • May appear to have decreased interest in social interactions.
  • Restricted, repetitive behaviours:
    • Inflexibility of behaviour causes significant interference with functioning.
    • Difficulty switching between activities.
    • Problems of organisation and planning hamper independence.

• Level 2 is described as "requiring substantial support”.
  • Social communication:
    • Deficits in verbal and nonverbal social communication skills.
    • Social impairments apparent even with supports in place.
    • Limited initiation of social interactions.
    • Reduced or abnormal responses to social overtures from others.
  • Restricted, repetitive behaviours:
    • Inflexibility of behaviour.
    • Difficulty coping with change.
    • Restricted/repetitive behaviours appear frequently and interfere with functioning.
    • Distress and/or difficulty changing focus or actionlevel 3 (“requiring very substantial support”).

• Level 3 is described as “requiring every substantial support”.
  • Social communication:
    • Severe deficits in verbal and non-verbal social communication skills.
    • Very limited initiation of social interactions.
    • Minimal response to social overtures from others.
  • Restricted, repetitive behaviours:
    • Inflexibility of behaviour.
    • Extreme difficulty coping with  change.
    • Restricted/repetitive behaviours markedly interfere with functioning.
    • Great distress/difficulty changing focus or attention.

What if I had a diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome before 2013?

Because Asperger's Syndrome is now considered to come under the umbrella of ASD in the DSM-5, the diagnosis of ‘Asperger’s Syndrome' should not be given or used by clinicians. It is absolutely fine for you to use the term Asperger's Syndrome if you received your diagnosis before 2013 when the diagnostic term changed - it does not mean that you no longer have autism or the strengths and challenges that you may experience with your diagnosis.

If you are uncertain about a previous diagnosis, schedule a consultation with Equilibrium Practice - we can discuss previous reports or diagnosis to help make sense of your experiences.

Disclaimer: All blog content is for information only and is not mental health treatment.