Abstract
Purpose:
Autistic disorder (AD), Asperger’s syndrome (AS), and pervasive developmental disorder–not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) have been removed from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders–Fifth Edition (DSM-5). It now contains the autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis. This study assessed how people with AD and AS felt about the DSM-5 ASD criteria.
Method:
Phenomenological analysis of discussion forum dialogue among participants (N = 76) with AD and AS was conducted.
Results:
Discussions demonstrated agreement that the PDD-NOS diagnosis should be removed from the DSM-5. People with AD and AS were concerned about the inclusion of medical or neurobiological research, functioning, reciprocity, and gender bias in the ASD diagnosis.
Discussion:
Social workers should acknowledge the feelings of people with AD and AS when they use the DSM-5.
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