Bring back Asperger's Syndrome as a diagnosis in its own right.
Bring back Asperger's Syndrome as a diagnosis in its own right.
The Issue
In May 2013 Asperger's Syndrome stopped being given out as a diagnosis in the USA, meaning that individuals who have Asperger's Syndrome are now simply being told that they are on the Autistic Spectrum. This is also true now in the UK, slowly becoming the norm all over the whole world.
The big question is 'why was this changed in the first place?'. The reasons professionals give, for example "It is time to reintegrate Asperger's Syndrome with the rest of the spectrum" (F Happe, 2011), do not really make sense. Another reason given is "to make diagnosis cleaner and easier" (Solga, 2019). Whilst it may make the professional's job of diagnosis easier, it does not consider the impact on the actual person receiving the diagnosis.
There are so many people who disagree with this change, particularly those who have Asperger's themselves. Asperger's is a condition that affects everybody differently, and whilst certain aspects of life are certainly more challenging, most individuals can manage fairly well in society, and experience employment, relationships and parenthood. These people who have Asperger's are now getting exactly the same diagnosis as somebody with severe Autism. Anybody who suffers from any kind of physical or mental condition should understand that it is not an easy thing to get used to and accept about yourself. Being told that you have Asperger's Syndrome is hard enough in itself, but for it to suddenly change to a different and far more severe diagnosis is unheard of!
This can be stigmatising for people who have Asperger's Syndrome, and leaves them and others unsure of their true diagnosis.
So if you have Asperger's Syndrome, please sign and share.
If you are a friend/family member/associate of somebody with Asperger's Syndrome, please sign and share.
If you are a healthcare professional or teacher, or work with individuals with Autism, please sign and share.
If you are a person who knew absolutely nothing about Autism or Asperger's Syndrome but who agrees with my viewpoint, please sign and share.
Because, quite simply, this HAS to change! Fast! Get Asperger's reinstated as a diagnosis in its own right!
.
The Issue
In May 2013 Asperger's Syndrome stopped being given out as a diagnosis in the USA, meaning that individuals who have Asperger's Syndrome are now simply being told that they are on the Autistic Spectrum. This is also true now in the UK, slowly becoming the norm all over the whole world.
The big question is 'why was this changed in the first place?'. The reasons professionals give, for example "It is time to reintegrate Asperger's Syndrome with the rest of the spectrum" (F Happe, 2011), do not really make sense. Another reason given is "to make diagnosis cleaner and easier" (Solga, 2019). Whilst it may make the professional's job of diagnosis easier, it does not consider the impact on the actual person receiving the diagnosis.
There are so many people who disagree with this change, particularly those who have Asperger's themselves. Asperger's is a condition that affects everybody differently, and whilst certain aspects of life are certainly more challenging, most individuals can manage fairly well in society, and experience employment, relationships and parenthood. These people who have Asperger's are now getting exactly the same diagnosis as somebody with severe Autism. Anybody who suffers from any kind of physical or mental condition should understand that it is not an easy thing to get used to and accept about yourself. Being told that you have Asperger's Syndrome is hard enough in itself, but for it to suddenly change to a different and far more severe diagnosis is unheard of!
This can be stigmatising for people who have Asperger's Syndrome, and leaves them and others unsure of their true diagnosis.
So if you have Asperger's Syndrome, please sign and share.
If you are a friend/family member/associate of somebody with Asperger's Syndrome, please sign and share.
If you are a healthcare professional or teacher, or work with individuals with Autism, please sign and share.
If you are a person who knew absolutely nothing about Autism or Asperger's Syndrome but who agrees with my viewpoint, please sign and share.
Because, quite simply, this HAS to change! Fast! Get Asperger's reinstated as a diagnosis in its own right!
.
Petition Closed
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The Decision Makers
Petition created on 17 August 2019