Autism; the Hype
‘Autism: The Hype’ discusses the startling increase in Asperger’s diagnoses, examining and elucidating the essential differences between giftedness and autism. In addition, the increasing diagnoses are placed in their appropriate cultural/social and scientific context.
Rereading Asperger
The Origins of the Misconceptions Concerning High Functioning Autism
This essay critically investigates the observations, suggested treatments, opinions and insights set forth by Asperger. His article is read in the context of currently accepted views in orthopedagogy and orthodidactics, taking into account also the specific cultural and educational climate of the 1930s and 40s.
The presumptions underlying his research are discussed with respect to the developments that have led to the diagnostic criteria for Asperger Disorder, as recorded in the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). In his article Asperger used the word ‘autistic psychopaths’ for the cases he observed; in the late eighties Wing coined the word ‘Asperger Syndrome’ and in 1989 Gillberg&Gillberg developed diagnostic criteria which in 1994, in revised form, were introduced in the DSM-IV under the name ‘Asperger Disorder’.
The article argues that the above mentioned criteria are based upon contradictions in the visions and insights of Asperger. These contradictions still affect specialists writing about autism and, consequently, psychiatrists, social workers, educators and the general public. This fact considerably accounts for the recent increase in diagnoses of Asperger Disorder.
Tijdschrift voor Orthopedagogiek, 47 (2008) 273-284
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Modern misconceptions regarding Autism Spectrum Disorders
The number of people diagnosed with ASD has increased dramatically in the twenty years between 1990 and 2010. As a result one person in a hundred is currently diagnosed with a disorder in the autism spectrum, against 4,5 in a ten thousand before 1990.
This article critically examines several commonly accepted explanations of the remarkable rise in ASD diagnoses. In relation to this, it discusses semantic changes in our understanding of autism and its symptomatology and points to the crucial role played by Asperger’s 1944 article.
Several real-life examples are described to translate the theoretical analyses to actual practice and illustrate the various alternative treatment possibilities. Alternative therapies offer a prospect of recovery in cases where, in the light of an ASD diagnosis, no recovery is currently deemed possible.
Tijdschrift voor Orthopedagogiek, 50 (2011) 191-206
| • | Can be ordered at: Uitgeverij Instondo bv
Binnen Kalkhaven 263 3311 JC Dordrecht Email: info@instondo.nl |
| • | Can be ordered at: f.scholte<AT>deds.nl |
| • | Can be found in libraries of universities |
Dismantling the diagnostics category of Autism: from Kanner and Asperger to Wing and Frith – Watering Down and Devaluation
The label Asperger Disorder has an extensive effect on the autistic client population, affecting both size and composition. The new label, added to the DSM in 1994, is based on the overarching classification of Autism. Compared to this classification, it has a watered-down set of criteria and an adjusted symptomatology. The base definition, however, is the same: a pervasive sensory information-processing disorder characterised by a triad of problem features. This article details how, despite the contradictions they experienced. Asperger-influenced autism experts Wing and Frith have classified the existing problems and behavioural features of highly intelligent clients as autistic problems. The contradictory, perfect imaginative ability of highly intelligent clients is essential: the triad aspect of ‘Limited Imagination’ is the foundation for the triad aspect of ‘Limited Theory of Mind’ (ToM). Furthermore, this article proves that even the triad aspect ToM is not in popular use for highly intelligent clients. With that, the base for the assumption that highly intelligent clients can have an autistic disorder disappears. The article goes on to discuss how the theoretical concept of Autism up until 1980 is affected by the scientific community not recognising the above conclusions. The effect is of such a nature that it allows us to speak of the dismantling of the diagnostic category of Autism by devaluation of the definition until it means merely ‘limitations in communication’.
The last vision of Asperger - acknowledgement of the highly gifted
In 1977 Asperger held a lecture in Fribourg. In this lecture Asperger did not use the term ‘Autistischen Psychopathen’ anymore to classify his clients, instead following the example of English-speaking autism experts to use ‘Asperger Syndrome’. Asperger died in 1980, shortly before the publication of ‘Psychotherapie und Heilpädagogik bei Kindern’. For this publication, he left behind a chapter on giftedness describing a partly new vision of the highly intelligent clients he previously categorised as ‘Autistic Psychopaths’, as well as a chapter on autism. This constituted a major change: for the first time Asperger used the term ‘highly gifted’. However, his fellow editor, Wurst, deemed it necessary to add an additional chapter to the publication, titled ‘Kindlicher Autismus, Asperger type’. In this chapter he erased the revised vision of Asperger. Meanwhile, the group of Wing continued with the development of the label of Asperger Syndrome, despite observed contradictions and despite the fact that Asperger indicated in his 1977 lecture that he did not consider it adequate to subject his highly intelligent clients to behavioural therapy aimed towards autistic clients. Today, after 35 years, the consequences are still being felt in education and aid for a part of the group of highly gifted. Despite the developments in perceiving and managing highly gifted people, and all the criticism towards the new label, highly gifted children are still being diagnosed with autism. There are even giftedness experts who provide education on referral, diagnostics and treatment of giftedness combined with autism. As a result, parents and students are often left out in the cold in their search for a suitable school and treatment plan.
How the classification autism lost its essence - consequences for people and society
The classification history of autism shows continual shifts and changes in its definition and symptomatology. This has consequences not only for the diagnosis and treatment of autism, but also for clients diagnosed with this disorder. In order to map this history from the perspective of science theory, a good starting point is the work of Hacking, who coined terms such as 'Moving Targets' and 'Making up People' to discuss the impact of classification changes on clients. Hacking distinguishes ten 'Engines' to outline the structure of a classification and to chart the mechanisms behind changes. Hacking specifically applied his model to the 'Autism' classification. However, the present article will indicate a number of problems with his approach. Specifically, Hacking assumes that there is a scientifically sound basis for the major changes in the classification since 1994 and the consequent increase in the prevalence of autism. As a result, he fails to highlight the essential changes in the definition of autism, neglecting the resulting confusion and contradictions in its symptomatology, as well as their negative impact on client identity, psychological health, social life, and social status.