DSM5 ASD Criterion D: No Clinically Signifcant Impairment in Current Functioning = No Autism

The DSM5 is certainly open to criticism; particularly in its combining of the pervasive developmental disorders into one Autism Spectrum Disorder ignoring the very large numbers of persons with DSM-IV Autistic Disorder who also suffer from Intellectual Disability.  One point which did make sense in the Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnostic criteria though is the one that is routinely ignored by those who glorify autism disorders ... Criterion D (underlining added):

Diagnostic Criteria for 299.00 Autism Spectrum Disorder

D.Symptoms cause clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of current functioning.

The subscribers to the irrational view that autism disorder, a mental health disorder diagnosis, is not really a disorder after all are able to maintain their beliefs by ignoring reality particularly the realities faced by those with severe autism disorders.  They routinely claim every historical genius or artistic talent as an "autistic".  They argue for the purity of the autism spectrumm "condition" by pretending there intellectual disability is just a coincidence and has nothing to do with autism.  In that regard of course they are on the same page as the professionals who separate ID and ASD and call them comorbid conditions.  They fall off that page though and put distance between themselves and the autism health care professionals by ignoring the plain wording of the DSM5 ASD Criterion D.  

Unfortunately a Jerry Seinfeld has only to speak and his words are heard and debated around the world. JS "migh be autistic" and that is good enough for those who want to put distance between themselves, or their family members, and the intellectually disabled and impaired in their everyday life activities at the severe end of the spectrum were autism is exactly what it has always been ...  a disorder.

Very high functioning persons claiming to be autistic must be able to demonstrate, as stated in DSM5 299.00 Autism Spectrum Disorder  that the DSM5  autism symptoms cause  .... . clinically significant impairment in current functioning.  Otherwise they should not receive an ASD Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis and should not claim to be autistic. 

The Seinfeld-Descartes Autism Diagnostic Tool: "I think I am Autistic therefore I am Autistic"

The Seinfeld-Descartes Autism Diagnostic Tool: I Think I Am Autistic Therefore I Am Autistic

Many, especially many with very, very high functioning autism diagnoses have embraced Jerry Seinfeld's new test for autism "conditions" one that the great comic borrowed from philosopher Rene Descartes:  "I think I am autistic, therefore I am autistic".

With the Seinfeld-Descartes diagnostic tool it is no longer necessary for those who want to join the truly amazing autism club to obtain one of those pesky medical diagnoses.  Nor will it be necessary to demonstrate the presence of that nasty Criterion D in the DSM5 Autism Spectrum Disorder:

D. Symptoms together limit and impair everyday functioning. 

I am not aware of what limits or impairments that the extremely rich successful comic and family man Jerry Seinfeld has in everyday functioning. For that matter it is not clear what impaired everyday functioning has ever been exhibited by many claiming to be autistic, including former free ranging Aspergians but it doesn't matter in today's world.  Jerry Seinfeld's speculation about being autistic is enough for him to receive a warm embrace from the very high functioning autism self advocacy world and the mainstream media.

Seinfeld-Descartes Autism Diagnostic Tool - I think I am autistic therefore I am autistic.  JE Robison and Ari Ne'eman couldn't have asked for a better Christmas present.