Vart tog Aspergaren vägen? : En studie kring identitet och förändrad diagnos

Sammanfattning: The purpose of this study is to examine how the removal of Asperger syndrome (AS) in DSM-V affects the identity of people with AS. Since the 1990s there is a growing culture associated with AS - a culture that is affected by the changes in DSM-V. The method used in this study is qualitative Internet research. By examining discussion threads on an online community tied to AS we aim to explore how people with AS express themselves after the changes in DSM-V. This study uses theories of social construction, identity creation and collective identities to analyse its results. The study shows mixed results concerning how the changes affect the identity of those with AS. AS is still available as a diagnosis in ICD-10, and the collective identity associated with the diagnosis still appears to remain strong. What would happen with the identity and culture associated with AS if it were to be changed or removed from the next version of ICD remains to be seen.