Improving the Public's Understanding of Autism
Autism is incredibly unique in that it has been found to manifest in countless forms, so health practitioners established a spectrum to organize constancies between the different varieties; hence the establishment of a spectrum. Asperger's syndrome, which is described by Uta Frith in her article "Emanuel Miller lecture: Confusions and controversies about Asperger syndrome" to be a specific variation of autism (672), is one such form that has provided a means of clinically distinguishing those individuals who posses a remarkably "superior intelligence" or perhaps even "genius" qualities. However, this categorization has posed numerous dilemmas from both a cultural and clinical standpoint.
Frith proposes "there is reason to believe that in current clinical practice the label Asperger syndrome is used rather indiscriminately," suggesting that it is often attributed to all autistic individuals who have attained a relatively higher level of functioning. She explains that this leads to the mislabeling of individuals "who are simply atypical in their presentation, ... but not necessarily of high ability" (673). This is consequential of ill established diagnostic tools which are constantly changing in an attempt to accommodate new findings (Frith 674). Unclear or inaccurate diagnoses may prevent individuals from receiving the appropriate care needed for reaching their maximum level of functioning.
The current definition of Aspergers asserts that "early language and cognitive function should not be delayed in Asperger syndrome. This requirement (that single words are used by age 2 and communicative phrases by age 3 years) allows a reasonably consistent diagnostic differentiation” (Frith 674). Though this is argued to be one of the strongest consistencies in distinguishing autism, it would exclude Temple Grandin, a woman diagnosed with Asperger's who has made great strides in agricultural development, earned a PhD, and made countless other displays of exceptionally high intellect (Sacks 253). This quite notably emphasizes how the diagnosis cannot serve as a perfect means of categorizing individuals. The poorly defined parameters muddle the public perception and understanding of autism and all of its facets, creating difficulties for those identified to have a higher level of functioning. It is possible that people with true Asperger's syndrome will not be fully recognized for the incredible intellect they possess. There is also the potential that the public may perceive a black and white categorization of autistic individuals; those with higher levels of intelligence and those with a minimal level of functioning. This could lead to inaccurate assumptions that those with autism are unable to be contributing members of society.
