I lumped aspergers and autism together because I originally phrased it before editing: "on the autistic spectrum, ranging from high functioning aspergers to the lower functioning end of the scale." Or something like that. But then changed it due to, in the autistic spectrum community, some people taking offense at the label "high-functioning," as it can suggest that people with more difficult forms of autism are somehow less. And then there's the whole contentious topic about whether aspergers is a form of autism on a scale, or if they're separate things.

Having read your comment, I think to start I'd take away autism, and just function on aspergers.

Also, regarding the use of the word "mental illness." Yes, I'm with you in that some of the things I mentioned shouldn't be labelled as mental illness. Peoples' brains just work differently, it's all a matter of finding the optimum environment, where you can use your gifts, and good coping skills for things you struggle with. I used the phrase "mental illness" in the DSM-IV sense, kinda like how people looking for sex reassignment surgery have to (or had?) be diagnosed with a personality disorder in order to get the surgery. It's a fucked up way our society works.

That said, in final form, I should probably phrase it differently. Maybe "explore the DSM through the eyes of people diagnosed by it" or... Unsure. Something more positive, definitely.

And yes, VERY touchy subject. I personally know people with schizophrenia, asperger's, autism, ADHD, and I would do my very best to have the way the "mental difference" is portrayed be based on feedback from people with actual diagnoses, to have it be vetted.