@StilInterested Yep, comparing your cousin and granddaughter, it's easy to see why autism is called a spectrum, eh!

I suppose the thinking behind the change was that all people on the spectrum have neurons in their brains that are differently connected from neurotypical people. The hugely diverse ASD traits haven't been considered at all. Only the severity of disability has been classified into 3 levels.

That's really interesting H. I know what you mean about being relieved to have a diagnosis. It puts things into perspective. I've just been diagnosed in my 60s. Adult women are only just being diagnosed because the traits are quite different from those of the men. I've also realised that without knowing it at the time, I found two former partners who're aspies.

@Abbelyne Yes it was a HUGE relief to get a diagnosis. And I'm convinced now that my ex husband has it, too, now that I understand it better.

As a child I thought I had signs of autism because I was so 'different' than other kids, and very socially dysfunctional. I probably am somewhere on the spectrum, although when my son was getting diagnosed, his neuropsychologist said I may have had more social anxiety disorder than aspergers. She did not see signs of aspergers in me during our conversation, which I found interesting. But yes, it does present different in girls/women, and I do think we learn better how to accommodate to society.

@Hihi Social anxiety disorder is one of the main symptoms of Asperger's in men and women. Few professionals, even psychiatrists, are familiar with the symptoms specific to women, and this is why women are only beginning to be diagnosed now. If you're interested in your own diagnosis Hihi, there's a very good questionnaire on YouTube. This is the one. Good luck with it.

[news.nationalgeographic.com]

@Marmion,
Except that autoimmunity can be induced by vaccination, and at least some autism appears to be induced by autoimmunity. I've only been reading immunology for 17 years now...

@TaraMarshall [pediatrics.aappublications.org]

@Marmion,
Now, however, we know that the immune system is linked to the brain and that the majority of Autistic people have crap immune systems. 1/4 of us have a Primary Immunodeficiency Disorder (and vaccines can KILL people with PID), and 80% of us have markers for autoimmunity.

Lucky me, I have two Primary Immunodeficiency Disorders and 3 Autoimmune Disorders. Life HURTS.

Oh, and I got measles twice from that stupid vaccine, and had seizures after almost every vaccination, whether it was killed or attenuated virus. I developed Ataxia within hours of my last vaccine, a DTaP some 16 years ago, and had to spend months relearning how to walk. And that's the same year my autoimmunity became symptomatic. And I caught Whooping Cough the following year anyway because the vaccine DIDN'T WORK.

I'm not getting any more vaccines, and my Immunologist, Rheumatologist, and Gastroenterologist are all on the same page as me. For that matter, there's a yearly conference in Europe on vaccine-induced autoimmunity, and they ALWAYS have research on Autism and Epilepsy presented there.

@TaraMarshall First off , by definition , a primary immunodeficiency disorder can not be caused by any external factor . Vaccines have not been shown to increase the risk of seizures , or ataxia . < [medicaldaily.com] , [vaccinesafety.edu] . But even after getting vaccinated immunity is not 100 % [healthtap.com] . And vaccines have not been connected in any way to the cause of autism , which is fundamentally a congenital condition . [health.wusf.usf.edu] . The only thing you posted that has any actual merit is on the possible link between the immune system and brain function [huffingtonpost.com] . So in conclusion , correlation does not necessarily equate to causation . P.S. If contagious pathogens can cause neuropathology , then I would hope all the more so that those whom can safely be immunized will do so . Because if herd immunity were to break down , people with a genetic predisposition to immunodeficiency would be effected by such an epidemic all the more so , especially since vaccinations would not be of any benefit to them . Now hopefully this helps to clear things up . And by the way , I find it rather rude the way that you responded to my posts with laughter . I take my online research seriously , and expect to be taken seriously in return .

Yes, you're right, the spectrum is a very long one! Some people on what used to be the 'Asperger's' end feel offended by being called 'autistic'......... and many others like your brother who are struggling with multiple severe issues feel as though understanding and empathy for them is deflected when people who appear neurotypical have the same diagnosis as they do.

Btw Flex, welcome to the group and thanks for your response. I think that some of these dudes are a tad shy

Yes, I think that a lot of people have continued to use the term 'Asperger's' for that reason.