Now that the American Psychiatric Association has stated they may refine the ways autism and Asperger syndrome are diagnosed, The New York Times examines the matter on today's opinion page.
First, an op-ed by psychiatrist Paul Steinberg, "Asperger's History of Over-Diagnosis," delves into the history of the issue:
"[C]hildren and adults with significant interpersonal deficits are being lumped together with children and adults with language acquisition problems. Currently, with the loosening of the diagnosis of Asperger, children and adults who are shy and timid, who have quirky interests like train schedules and baseball statistics, and who have trouble relating to their peers -- but who have no language-acquisition problems -- are placed on the autism spectrum."
Next, "I Had Asperger Syndrome. Briefly," by writer Benjamin Nugent, details his experience being misdiagnosed with the condition.
"The biggest single problem with the diagnostic criteria applied to me is this: You can be highly perceptive with regard to social interaction, as a child or adolescent, and still be a spectacular social failure. This is particularly true if you're bad at sports or nervous or weird-looking."
--About.com Health staff
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