DSM V Controversy: Asperger's Syndrome

While researching Asperger’s and Autism I found an article from this website (Exploring developmental disabilities) that explained the difference between the two well…
          “One of the main reasons why Asperger’s is separated is the severity of the symptoms as well as not having language delays like children with Autism have. For those who aren’t trained to look for the signs of Asperger’s, many would see a normal child who is a bit odd. Unlike with children who have Autism, children with Asperger’s want to fit in and have interaction with others, but they lack the social skills to do so easily. For some reason, they aren’t able to pick up on social cues that come naturally to others such as how to interpret body language or how to engage in a conversation.”

I found this to be true in a book I was reading for my psychosocial class. It was titled, "Look Me in the Eye" by John Elder Robison. He has Asperger’s and throughout the book he explained how he 1) knew he was different 2) wanted to be like other people and 3) did not understand why other people did not understand him. He struggled throughout his childhood but ended up becoming very successful. He had to learn by trial and error and by really watching other people and getting cues from other people on how he was “supposed” to act/why people act the way they do.

This leads up to my argument against changing Asperger’s disorder into a broad Autism spectrum disorder in the DSM V that is supposed to be coming out in 2013. Although the Huffington Post says that they will not be getting rid of the term Asperger’s, on other websites it says that that is what the DSM V will do. In an article on THE CONVERSATION titled "DSM-V and the changing fortunes of autism and related disorder" it has more of an explanation of how the change will effect Apergians. TheConversation

Great Book!

“Aspergians” are concerned that they will be labeled “autistic” and will lose their identity.  Also a concern is that high functioning individuals with Asperger’s will no longer fall under the criteria for Autism and will not be able to receive help, or as much help as before. They are also concerned that these individuals will not try to get help because they are so high functioning. "

In an article by Lucy Berrington, a member on the board of Asperger’s Association of New England, titled, “Don’t Remove Asperger’s from the DSM” she makes this statement that I think reiterates why the two should remain “together but separate”:
          “Retaining the current diagnosis is not about distancing Asperger’s from other forms of Autism. This is about classifying a particular subgroup in a way that demonstrably adds value. That Asperger’s is a form of Autism does not mean we should know it only as Autism. Spanish and Italian are closely related linguistically, yet it isn’t helpful to call Italian Spanish.”
Don't remove Asperger's from DSM

Autism and Asperger’s are closely related but still need to have their separate definitions.