Is aspergers a disorder or not?

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One of these people is not like the others. One of these people is just not the same.

Asperger's is a difference. Whether it is a disorder or not is dependent on whether it impacts your life negatively. If you have it, and don't see or have a problem with it, then for you it's not a disorder.

Either that or you're in denial.

And that can end up being a sad waste of time.

Or not.

Doesn't all boil down to whether one is HAPPY?

What else really matters? Is denial really "bliss?"

Whatever. For ME, it's a huge problem, therefore it's a disorder. It's that simple. Whether it is or not for anyone else is up to them to determine. It's none of my business.

I don't like what it's done to and for me, so I'm choosing to embrace it as who I am, but NOT as I would like to be, and then DOING something about it.

I'm willing to accept the reality of what Asperger's literally is. People say it's bad to be living in a world where everyone treats Asperger's too seriously as a disorder...it's just as bad to be living in a world were people think that AS is pure BS and no one is willing to cut you a break on things you cant help about yourself. That's why I have difficulty thinking from the "Asperger's is NOT a disorder" view like many here.

The OP's question is one of definition. By definition Aspergers is a disorder. It's in the DSM. If you have been diagnosed you have a disorder. The rest is semantics.

That's kind of how I feel about it.......I mean I've tried seeing it as something completly positive, but that seems to just be denial. I mean I can justify oh Im just a little different and everything is great all I want, that does not mean society is going to be any less harsh towards me or that I will function any better in it.

Umm. No. The OP's question specifially asks for opinions. Not definition.

Not to be nit-picky, but I'm AM being nit-picky.

"Is aspergers a disorder or not?"

Are apples a fruit or not?
Is asparagus a vegetable or not?
Are poodles canines or not?

Sorry, to me this is a definition question. I have seen similar topics in other forums such as "Is a tomato a fruit or vegetable - opinions please". I don't understand this mindset. Your opinion on the topic is irrelevant as the definition already exists in this thing called the English language that by using it to communicate we all agree on a pre-determined set of rules. Otherwise ..... chaos

Yes. It's a disorder.

I still question whether a poodle is a real dog or not. Such a 'catty' breed.

I'm not disagreeing with you on that point. In fact, I couldn't agree more.

You're statement though was "The OP's question was..." but he clearly did state he was looking for opinions. So, if you want to split hairs, his question was not about definition, but about opinion. I was just splitting hairs in turn, and in good fun (I hope). A agree with you as far as it being a disorder by definition. I'd have to disagree though, that opinions are irrelevant. Opinions drive us all, and often change definitions given enough time and debate.

"Asperger Syndrome" is a term made up to describe a set of symptoms. Made up by a relatively small group of professionals putting their opinions into the DSM (specifically DSM-IV). If the DSM-V proposals are adopted as they currently exist, Asperger Syndrome won't exist at all anymore because the same organization would be changing their opinion.

Ergo, opinions are not really irrelevant.

When the DSM drops Asperger Syndrome and simply defines it as another point on the Autism spectrum, will the debate go away at that point?

Are Autism Spectrum Disorders a disorder?

lol the Op is a she...

I think we ALL know that answer to that question.

Wanna debate over whether definitions are opinions?

Nah. I wouldn't want to hijack the thread. Besides, that debate happens pretty much every day here, I think.

Peace man!

Damn. Caught again.

If that particular social order breaks down, those on the spectrum will be among those quickly marginalized while the majority protects itself. The accommodations that allow fuller participation in society are just that - accommodations. They are not required by the majority for their survival.

I think "disorder" is simply a technically correct definition, and I have no issues with any baggage that may be attached to the word.
Same with "syndrome" too. They're both pretty concise definitions.

I agree. As technical descriptions they are fine. A different issue is how many people don't allow them to remain simple technical terms and attach a great deal of emotional content to them.

God I hope so.

I'm just going to say what I always say: the entire autism spectrum would not exist if it was not a disorder.