‘How can a chord be weird if it expresses your soul?’ Some critical reflections on the diagnosis of Aspergers syndrome

Abstract

This paper questions the way in which the diagnosis of Aspergers syndrome has come to be widely accepted and used as an essentially medical category. It does so by drawing upon sociological and historical analyses of society, psychiatry and psychology, as well as the writings of service users, other practitioners in the autistic spectrum disorder field and the author's own clinical experience. It is argued that the seeming popularity of this label within Western society may have as much to do with widespread social and cultural change during recent decades as with the supposed deficits of those who attract the diagnosis. The aims are to ask what this might mean for health and social care practice in this field and to encourage the growth of theories and approaches that are grounded more firmly in an awareness of the social environment, while also reflecting the varied experiences and standpoints of people who carry this label.

Keywords:

• Aspergers syndrome
• social and historical context
• embodiment
• disability

Acknowledgements

The author gratefully acknowledges the thoughtful advice and comments of the many people who read earlier drafts or portions of this manuscript: the Shropshire Asperger's Support Group, Dr John Cromby, Dave Crook, Dr Guy Holmes, Dr Paul Kelly, Dr Biza Stenfert‐Kroese and Dr Penny Priest.