Asperger’s History of Over-Diagnosis - NYTimes.com

Asperger’s History of Over-Diagnosis - NYTimes.com
by Paul Steinberg

Asperger syndrome and Aspies — the affectionate name that people diagnosed with Asperger syndrome call themselves — seem to be everywhere.

Considered to be at the high-functioning end of the autism spectrum, Asperger syndrome has become more loosely defined in the past 20 years, by both the mental health profession and by lay people, and in many instances is now synonymous with social and interpersonal disabilities. But people with social disabilities are not necessarily autistic, and giving them diagnoses on the autism spectrum often does a real disservice. An expert task force appointed by the American Psychiatric Association is now looking into the possibility of changing the way we diagnose Asperger.

To read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/01/opinion/aspergers-history-of-over-diagnosis.html