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Did Asperger's cases have Asperger disorder? A research note
1Department of Psychology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City 84112, USA.
Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and Allied Disciplines
|February 1, 1997
Summary
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) criteria may not accurately diagnose Asperger Disorder. Original cases described by Asperger meet criteria for Autistic Disorder, suggesting a diagnostic gap.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Developmental Psychology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV) introduced standardized criteria for Asperger Disorder.
- Asperger Disorder is considered a subtype of Pervasive Developmental Disorder.
- This study re-evaluates Asperger's original case descriptions using current diagnostic standards.
Observation:
- Four cases originally presented by Hans Asperger were analyzed.
- The DSM-IV criteria were applied to these historical cases.
- The study aimed to determine the most appropriate diagnosis based on these criteria.
Findings:
- All four original cases met the DSM-IV criteria for Autistic Disorder.
- The cases did not exclusively meet the criteria for Asperger Disorder as defined by DSM-IV.
- This indicates a potential discrepancy between Asperger's original descriptions and current diagnostic definitions.
Implications:
- Current diagnostic criteria may not fully encompass the syndrome originally described by Asperger.
- Further research is needed to refine diagnostic criteria for developmental disorders.
- This re-evaluation highlights the importance of historical context in psychiatric nosology.