Report: New Autism Definition Could End ‘Epidemic’ [View all]
Report: New Autism Definition Could End ‘Epidemic’
Many currently diagnosed with autism could lose the label if proposed changes to the definition of the developmental disorder go through as planned, a new analysis suggests.
The American Psychiatric Association is currently working to revise the definition of autism that will be included in the upcoming fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM, which is expected in May 2013.
The manual is used by mental health professionals, researchers and insurers alike to determine what symptoms are worthy of an official diagnosis.
Proposed changes call for related disorders like Asperger’s syndrome and pervasive developmental disorder, not otherwise specified to be folded into an umbrella diagnosis of “autism spectrum disorder.” Moreover, individuals would have to meet a more specific set of criteria to obtain the new diagnosis.
http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2012/01/20/report-new-autism-definition/14818/
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