By Larry Abramson on National Public Radio:

A proposal by the American Psychiatric Association to include the diagnosis of Asperger’s syndrome within the broader autism spectrum could have far-reaching effects, experts say, potentially changing the way families get special education services for their children.

Some educators say the change could make it easier for students with the disorder to qualify for special education services, while others worry that it could limit student access to services and make it harder for teachers to tailor services to students’ individual needs.

The proposal is available for public comment until April 20.

See also:

Asperger’s advocates debate proposed diagnosis change — CNN.  An excerpt:

“Autism tends to be defined as a deficit, and people with Asperger’s see themselves as having an advantage in life,” said Eileen Parker, 46, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, who has Asperger’s. That is why the community is split over the … issue, she said.

Asperger’s officially placed inside autism spectrum — NPR

This entry was posted on Friday, February 12th, 2010 at 6:05 pm and is filed under Asperger's, autism, NOT2BEMISSED, special education. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.