I don't even fit the DSM-IV criteria for Asperger's anymore

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(1) marked impairment in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, body postures, and gestures to regulate social interaction

Okay I'm still handicapped with respect to reading body language and gestures. But I know I can learn them with enough practice - and if that happens, this no longer fits as diagnostic criteria.

(2) failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level

I don't have any real life friends, and I screwed over all my past friendships. But I don't think that this is the result of Asperger's, but more so the result of social anxiety+ADD. And the fact that very few people are compatible with me. It's something normal people feel too.

(3) a lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or achievements with other people (e.g., by a lack of showing, bringing, or pointing out objects of interest to other people)

Uh, does this really define Asperger's? The problem with us Aspies is that we frequently share this too much with other people, even when it's clear that others aren't even interested.

(4) lack of social or emotional reciprocity

Yes I am reciprocal with people. I try to be so.

B. Restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, and activities, as manifested by at least one of the following:
(1) encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus

Definitely happened when I was a child. But now I don't even know if my interests are abnormal in intensity or focus. My interests are very diverse now. And a lot of professors have issues with this too.

(2) apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals

None of this

(3) stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g., hand or finger flapping or twisting, or complex whole-body movements)

I fidget and pace, but that's more related to ADD+anxiety.

(4) persistent preoccupation with parts of objects

Not really.

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Okay my theory of Asperger's is that it has to do with the fact that we just don't subconsciously (and naturally) pick up social gestures/cues from the gestures/cues of others - we have to consciously learn them. And also, that we don't naturally "synchronize" with people (this might be the result of mirror neurons) in the way other people do. In other words, we have to consciously learn signals, not subconsciously so. And so our movements (and attempts to mimic others) are very "unnatural" and forced. If this theory is correct, then the DSM-IV criteria for Asperger's don't necessarily even follow from it. They're just a lot more likely due to it.

Anyways, I e-mailed Simon Baron-Cohen and he said that my theory was probably correct.

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So I'm confused. Is it very common for people to grow out of the DSM-IV criteria but to still consider themselves Aspie? (and socially impaired in a different way?) I still feel like social situations are far more difficult for me than for other people, but my comorbidities of ADD and social anxiety explain much of it (though I think some of it still comes from my autistic tendencies). I was diagnosed at age 11 and it was far more obvious at that time.

and my problems are still far more severe than the vast majority of "Aspies" I know - I'm pretty sure they hardly fit the DSM-IV criteria anymore too

Ah thanks for the reply so far.

Hm, here's a question I'd like to ask: how much of this forum doesn't even fit most of the DSM-IV criteria anymore, but still considers themselves Aspie?

what does epigenetic mean?

I've become way, way, better overtime especially since meeting my wife. I sometimes feel like I never had it in the first place or I'm loosing something that makes me unique, but I think people with aspergers can improve over time.

During my school years I was exhibited AS traits very strongly. I was socially comatose. Would only speak when spoken to and never could figure out what the heck was going on around me regarding people. I was fixated on surfing. Was always yelled at for fidgeting. Could NOT discuss my emotions. I only lacked OCD type rituals. I was a major klutz - the butt of many jokes by my family. Looking back, I was almost non-functional. I even ended up homeless for a very brief period shortly after high school.

I've learned over many years how to be more social. I pretty much suck at it, but now instead of being freaky, scary weird, I'm just freaky weird.

So am I less 'AS' like than before? I suppose, except that it take a remarkable amount of mental energy for me to maintain the facade, constantly having to edit my behavior and speech. On the outside I may appear quasi-normal, but on the inside, I know it's a rather fragile veneer.

Caveat - I am not officially diagnosed with AS. I seem to fit the DSM-!V for HFA somewhat better that AS, but since AS is going away as an official diagnosis, that's just an academic distinction. I am going for a professional evaluation in December. Supposedly the person specializes in autism. We'll see how that goes.

I'm nearly 30 years old and was just diagnosed this year. My AS symptoms were much more apparent when I was younger, but my NT wife has coached me and helped me to "fit in" a lot better before we'd even heard of Asperger's. She is somewhat resentful that I didn't seek professional help towards the beginning of our marriage when she urged me to do so because she was insistent there was something "off" about me but alas, we now have a name and a reason for my "oddities". Anyways, back to the subject, I do feel as if my AS traits have become less apparent and we are talking about a spectrum so it makes sense that there is sliding room, if you will, both ways but that doesn't change our neurological makeup. I'm sure I'll still be an "Aspie" late into my golden years but it's nice to be able to conform more so with the general populace albeit, in a fabricated way as opposed to an instinctual one.