Does anyone else strongly believe that autism and Asperger's should be classified separately?

I have Asperger‘s syndrome too, but I don't agree with you on this. I see Asperger‘s syndrome as a form of autism and I think it rightfully belongs on the autism spectrum.

I don‘t have a problem with being referred to as autistic or Asperger‘s syndrome being called „a mild form of autism“. Asperger‘s syndrome is after all on the autism spectrum, so those words can correctly apply. The terms „autism“ and „autistic“ do not only apply to those who have classic autism or severe forms of autism, they can apply to everyone on the autism spectrum.

Autism is a spectrum and it varies a lot in severity, but that doesn‘t mean that we don‘t have a lot of symptoms, characteristics, needs and thought pattern in common, regardless of where we are on the spectrum. I don‘t find it offending to be called by the same term as lower functioning, non-verbal individuals on the spectrum, but I think it‘s important for people to know and understand that people on the autism spectrum are not all the same and not all on the same level of function.

I don‘t think of Asperger‘s syndrome as a separate spectrum. I see it more like an area or a line that covers a part of the autism spectrum. Sort of like a spectrum within the spectrum.

The diagnostic criterias are going to be changed soon so that Asperger‘s syndrome will no longer be diagnosed as a disorder on its own and instead it will be diagnosed as high functioning autism. I am not sure if this is a good idea though. I think that lumping the diagnosis itself together with other forms of autism may result in worse services for people who have Asperger‘s syndrome or high functioning autism. While those groups have many needs in common, there are also some differences due to the varying severity and speech development and I fear that those differences will no longer be considered when it comes to treatment options, accommodations, assistance at school and such, as the system will likely paint them all with the same brush. I think that for diagnostic and service purposes it may be better to have somewhat narrow, accurate terms about the various forms of autism than broad terms. By that I don‘t mean that I think Asperger‘s syndrome should be completely separate from autism, but that it should remain the way it is today, as a disorder on the autism spectrum, with its own name. That name can be used to distinguish it from other forms of autism when necessary and the broader terms "autism" or "autistic" can be used when there is no need to distinguish between the different forms of autism.

I have the feeling you don't realize how many similarities there are between Asperger's syndrome and autism disorder. I realize that when you look at someone with severe autism and someone with mild Asperger's syndrome, they may seem completely different, but when you get to know them you notice that they have so much in common.

Asperger's syndrome and autism share nearly all the same traits and symptoms, although in varying degrees, ranging from mild to severe. It is pretty much only the speech development that is different, and the fact that mental retardation sometimes coexists with autism, but not Asperger's syndrome. Mental retardation should not be confused as a part of autism though, because it is a separate condition that just happens to coexist with autism sometimes.

Those disorders have much more similarities than differences and I find it perfectly logical to classify them together on one spectrum, the autism spectrum. To me they are varying degrees or sub-types of the same condition.

I have Asperger's syndrome and I have no problem with Asperger's syndrome being associated with autism. I have no problem with being called autistic and I myself sometimes use words like autistic, autism, mild autism and so on, to describe myself or Asperger's syndrome. To me those words can be used equally for all the disorders on the autism spectrum.

The reason why they are classified as the same, is because Asperger syndrome exhibits the most similarities with autism than any other diagnosis on the autism spectrum.

Personally I believe in 'autistics united', it will assist us in becoming less of a minority in the future when the rise of autism causes us to be recognized as a separate ethnic group from "normal" people. Even if that doesn't happen, it's good to stand together to fight the researching of a cure that can never exist due to the impossibility to modify an entire being's genetics.

I do reference myself as autistic at times, I also reference myself as aspergers, it doesn't matter to me.

I have Asperger's and it belongs within the Autism spectrum for a myriad of reasons. I have more Autistic traits than alot of people with Asperger's, especially associated with sensory issues and stimming. I can even go mute and be unable to respond to things the way I know I should.

As a person with Asperger's Syndrome, it's my own opinion that they really shouldn't be classified separately simply because AS is a higher functioning form of Autism. And since AS and Autism are in fact spectrum disorders, one must allow for lead-way and variability on the subject.

Autism and Asperger's Syndrome should be classified in the same general category for various reasons.

Nope the descriptors "a mild form of autism" or "high-functioning autism" are very accurate. There is no need for yet another term, although I suspect the P.C. police will eventually come out with a new label anyway.

No in my opinion it should not be separate. Autism is a spectrum disorder.

The more disabilities that fall under the same general category the greater in number they will be and the greater clout they will hold. We need to eliminate as many divisions as possible.

i believe they should be classified as two different subtypes of the SAME CATEGORY sort of like it is now in the DSM IV to lump them together like they are planning to do in the DSM5 is i believe is going to be a bigdisservace to both many who are very high functiong and to those who are very low functioning

I think they should keep the name because I am not fond of the new criteria. Not all aspies will meet it and what is going to happen to them?