I used to be classic autistic but now I am much higher functioning than I used to be. When I was before 7 years young, I didn't have much language. Very restricted. No eye contact. Not caring about having friends. No social skills at all. Most of the day I would sit there and scream. Now I am incredibly high functioning. I love socializing and having friends (the main people I get along with are people like myself, mentally ill or autistic as well.). I don't scream anymore. I make eye contact when I am not stressed. I am terrified that I wouldn't meet the criteria under this new definition. I get SSI payments due to my autism and mental health. There are times that I appear totally normal and no one would notice that there is anything wrong with me. I am scared that my payments would be taken away. My services taken away. Everything taken away. I hope people rise up if the new definition takes people away from the diagnosis. In the 1980's it was difficult as well to be diagnosed. It changed when Asperger's Syndrome was added I believe in 1994. That is when the rise started (I believe). It seems it will go back to the difficult 1980's definition which means much fewer people will be diagnosed and receive services. According to some people I wouldn't meet the 1980's definition but would the 1994 definition. This means when the DSM 5 comes out in 2013, I would go back to not meeting the criteria. Autism was the main reason why I qualified for services and SSI. In fact it is known that the first time someone applies for SSI they usually get rejected unless their condition was so severe that they were basically homeless or dying. I got accepted right away. No problems. Also my severe anxiety got me accepted because I went to a state psychologist and he noticed it right away and said there is no way I can have a job. The most I am able to do is focus on my artwork.