WORK INFORMATION

I have learned a little about computer use and the Internet as a result of using the computers on which this document has been developed and edited.

Work Experience: None since October, 1998.

I have been diagnosed as of December, 2004, as having Asperger's Disorder. This is a Pervasive Developmental Disorder, in the same spectrum as Autism. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Version V,(proposed) gives some clinical guidelines for diagnosis of Asperger's Disorder:

Details:

http://autismconsortium.org/symposium-files/WalterKaufmannAC2012Symposium.pdf

Look there for the complete PDF document from which these excerpts are taken.

[These are only excerpts from a much longer PDF document, which looks like it has been used as a powerpoint slide show in presentations by the Autism Consortium. See the web reference for the full document.]

"Autism" in DSM-IV

Pervasive Developmental Disorders

• Autism
• Asperger Disorder
• Rett Syndrome
• Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD)
• PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder -- Not Otherwise Specified)

Current Concept of Autism

1. Behavioral disorder/syndrome

2. Multiple etiologies: genetic and environmental

3. Lifelong disorder

(a) Different appearance (e.g., peer interactions change throughout life)

(b) Importance of early diagnosis

(c) Need for sustained support

4. Selective or greater impairment in social interaction

5. Common use of Autism Spectrum Disorder, including Autistic Disorder and PDD-NOS

DSM-5: Conceptual Framework

Proposed Changes: Elimination of Asperger Disorder

• New diagnosis [introduced] in DSM-4 with little difference from autism
• Criteria used in DSM-4 do not match the original cases described by Asperger (his cases meet autism criteria)
• No clinical research evid3ence for separation of Asperger disorder from autism (High functioning autism = Asperger diagnosis)
• Diagnostic biases apparent, with rich, white males receiving Asperger diagnosis, while poorer, non- Caucasian populations receive PDD-NOs diagnosis (See site differences in CDC surveillance data)

DSM-5 Criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder

Currently or by history must meet criteria A, B, C and D:

A. Persistnet deficits in social communication and social interaction across contexts, not accounted for by general developmental delays, and manifest by all three of the following:

1. Deficits in social-emotional reciprocity

2. Deficits in nonverbal communicative behaviors used for social interaction

3. Deficits in developing and maintaining relationships

B. Restrictive, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities, manifested by at least two of the following:

1. Stereotyped or repetitive speech, motor movements or use of objects

2. Excessive adherence to routines, ritualized patterns of verbal or nonverbal behavior, or excessive resistance to change

3. Highly fixated, restricted interests that are abnormal in intensity or focus

4. Hyper- or hypo-reactivity to sensory input or unusual interest in sensory aspects of environment;

C. Sypmtoms must be present in early childhood (but may not manifest until social demands exceed limited capacities)

D. Symptoms together limit and impair everyday functioning

Other Changes for ASD

Inclusion of specifiers, such as:

• "Associated with known medical or genetic condition or environmental factor" (...)
• Verbal abilities
• Cognitive abilities
• Severity of symptoms in the two domains [term undefined in this document]

Text description to include symptoms unique to various ages/developmental stages and verbal abilities

[And the PDF document goes on to object to several aspects of the proposed new DSM-5 diagnostic criteria. End of Excerpts.]

How much of this actually applies to any one individual is quite variable, but the general criteria do seem to match my own diagnosis and clinical assessment when I was recommended for Social Security Disability status between 2003 and 2005. In 2012 the seven-year re-evaluation confirmed the diagnosis, whether the term Asperger disorder or the term Level I (high functioning) autistic disorder is preferred semantically.

I include this material only to provide some background as to how I can be mentally and physically well-functioning, and yet show historically and presently little or no ability to maintain gainful employment in any normal workplace.

This concludes my presentation of my work history and disability status. 

March 2, 2013. --
I achieved a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry, but this does not mean that I ever developed the interpersonal skill set needed to land a job through the application and interviewing process, nor did I have the "social and emotional intelligence" (EQ) to work well with others in work groups, an essential skill set in today's collaborative workplace environments. This does not excuse my lack of sustained employment, but is included as a brief summary of the substantial obstacles to employment which I have faced.

I have held many short-lived jobs, and I have usually quit working rather than be fired. The span of my working years was 1976-1978 and 1984 to 1998. My current status (with the Social Security Administration) is "Disabled since Birth".

This is the extent of my account of Work Related Issues. I will not go into further details about specific jobs which I have held.

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