I have been doing some reading and it appears that if experts have their way, Asperger’s syndrome and another mild form of autism, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (P.D.D.-N.O.S. for short), will be folded into a single broad diagnosis, autism spectrum disorder — a category that encompasses autism’s entire range, or spectrum, from high-functioning to profoundly disabling.
I know a lot of people are upset with this but they seem to be doing the logical thing to me - autism was a spectrum anyway, with AS included on it, and that AS and HFA were basically the same thing. When Princess Belle was diagnosed, I was told that both labels were interchangeable.
I do see that there are pros and cons. This is how I see it from the research I have done:
Pros
* More services could be available for all levels of ability. Most services require a diagnosis of classic Autism, leaving out the mildly affected individuals.
* All related health problems can be recognized and treated. People with Autism Spectrum Disorder often suffer with anxiety, gastrointestinal problems, seizures, and sensory integration dysfunction, along with Autism.
Cons
* Some people feel that milder cases of Autism Spectrum Disorder, those normally diagnosed as PDD-NOS or Asperger’s Syndrome, are more likely to be missed.
* Some people believe that the less affected individuals will not want the stigma of Autism placed on them. Asperger’s Syndrome carries a more neutral connotation than Autism. #Autism
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