Every so often, I'll put up a bonus post in between the regular posts. These will probably be in response to a question I have received, or when some terminology needs clarification.
Many people have heard of Asperger's and think of it as a separate thing from autism, or that someone with Asperger's is "autistic lite". You may also have heard the terms "Aspie" or "Asper" - this is the same thing - they're short for Asperger's.
People who were classified as having Asperger's are autistic. Since the release of the DSM-5 in 2013, Asperger's is no longer recognised as a separate category.
However, you may still hear people refer to themselves or others as having Asperger's, because that's the diagnosis they received at the time. And of course, you'll see references to Asperger's as the appropriate term in literature published before 2013. Those who would have previously been classified as having Asperger's would now be classified as being at, or having, Level 1 ASD (ASD-1).
Those like myself at this level generally have symptoms that don't interfere greatly with work, school, relationships, and life in general. This does not mean that we don't have difficulties! It just means that our distress in navigating life is at a level that we often go undiagnosed. Yes, we walk among you. 😉
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