Asperger syndrome: Difference between revisions

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'''Asperger syndrome''', also known as '''Asperger's''', was an obsolete way of describing autistic people who are good at [[Masking|masking]].
'''Asperger syndrome''', also known as '''Asperger's''', is a term to describe [[Autism|autistic]] people who are good at [[Masking|masking]] and, according to the criteria outlined in diagnostic manuals, [[Functioning labels|high-functioning]]. Asperger's was removed from the [[DSM-V]] in 2013, and from the [[ICD-11]] on 1 Jan 2022.


As part of the shift from the pathology paradigm to [[The neurodiversity paradigm|the neurodiversity paradigm]], the term Asperger's has fallen out of favour because:
As part of the shift from the [[Deficit model|pathology paradigm]] to the [[Neurodiversity|neurodiversity paradigm]], the term Asperger's has largely fallen out of favour among members of the [[Autistic community|autistic community]].


# Now that we're openly speaking for ourselves, even [[Allism|allistic]] "experts" have to finally accept that [[The autism spectrum|autism's a spectrum]], with any combination of [[Autistic and allistic traits|traits]] possible.  Instead of giving different hazily defined clusters of traits their own names, it makes more sense to briefly describe each individual person's own unique combination of strengths and requirements.
== History of the term ==
# Unlike society at large, autistic people generally accept that autism isn't a dirty word, and that being autistic is nothing to be ashamed of.  We don't need a euphemism to effectively claim "but we're one of the good ones", because no combination of traits makes you bad.
# Asperger was a literal Nazi, whose job was to determine who was enough of a burden to allistic people — or even Jewish enough — to warrant being sent to a concentration camp and killed.<ref name="wb-the-aftermath-of-the-hans-asperger-expose" /> He was monstrous.


All in all, it's simpler to just say I'm autistic.
{insert stuff here; maybe link to [[History of autism]] somewhere?}
 
== Reasons for moving away from the term ==
 
=== Autism as a spectrum ===
 
Now that we're openly speaking for ourselves, even [[Allism|allistic]] "experts" have to finally accept that autism is best understood as a [[The autism spectrum|spectrum]], with any combination of [[Autistic and allistic traits|traits]] possible.  Instead of giving different hazily defined clusters of traits their own names, it makes more sense to briefly describe each individual person's own unique combination of strengths and requirements.
 
=== Reclaiming the word "autistic" ===
 
Unlike society at large, autistic people generally accept that autism isn't a [[Stigma|dirty word]], and that being autistic is nothing to be ashamed of.  We don't need a euphemism to effectively claim "but we're one of the good ones", because no combination of traits makes you bad.
 
=== Hans Asperger's ties to the Nazi regime ===
 
Asperger was a literal Nazi, whose job was to determine who was enough of a burden to allistic people — or even Jewish enough — to warrant being sent to a concentration camp and killed.<ref name="wb-the-aftermath-of-the-hans-asperger-expose" /> He was monstrous.
 
== Controversy within the community ==
 
{some folks who are autustic still prefer the term Asperger's or to call themselves Aspies. While some people are okay with others calling themselves whatever they want, some think it throws the community "under the bus"}


== References ==
== References ==


<ref name="wb-the-aftermath-of-the-hans-asperger-expose">{{cite web|last=Sher|first=David|date=Sep 2020|title=The aftermath of the Hans Asperger exposé|url=https://thepsychologist.bps.org.uk/volume-33/september-2020/aftermath-hans-asperger-expose}}</ref>
<references>
<ref name="wb-the-aftermath-of-the-hans-asperger-expose">[https://www.bps.org.uk/psychologist/aftermath-hans-asperger-expose The aftermath of the Hans Asperger exposé]</ref>
</references>


[[Category:Autistic paradigms and terminology]]
[[Category:Autistic paradigms and terminology]]

Latest revision as of 07:57, 24 August 2022

Asperger syndrome, also known as Asperger's, is a term to describe autistic people who are good at masking and, according to the criteria outlined in diagnostic manuals, high-functioning. Asperger's was removed from the DSM-V in 2013, and from the ICD-11 on 1 Jan 2022.

As part of the shift from the pathology paradigm to the neurodiversity paradigm, the term Asperger's has largely fallen out of favour among members of the autistic community.

History of the term[edit]

{insert stuff here; maybe link to History of autism somewhere?}

Reasons for moving away from the term[edit]

Autism as a spectrum[edit]

Now that we're openly speaking for ourselves, even allistic "experts" have to finally accept that autism is best understood as a spectrum, with any combination of traits possible. Instead of giving different hazily defined clusters of traits their own names, it makes more sense to briefly describe each individual person's own unique combination of strengths and requirements.

Reclaiming the word "autistic"[edit]

Unlike society at large, autistic people generally accept that autism isn't a dirty word, and that being autistic is nothing to be ashamed of. We don't need a euphemism to effectively claim "but we're one of the good ones", because no combination of traits makes you bad.

Hans Asperger's ties to the Nazi regime[edit]

Asperger was a literal Nazi, whose job was to determine who was enough of a burden to allistic people — or even Jewish enough — to warrant being sent to a concentration camp and killed.[1] He was monstrous.

Controversy within the community[edit]

{some folks who are autustic still prefer the term Asperger's or to call themselves Aspies. While some people are okay with others calling themselves whatever they want, some think it throws the community "under the bus"}

References[edit]