Report: New Autism Definition Could End ‘Epidemic’

[The Straight Story]

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/

[cbayer]

1. For those interested in this, I highly recommend the Patt Morrison piece

on it from last week:

http://www.scpr.org/programs/patt-morrison/2012/01/20/22210/autism-definition

The interview with Catherine Lloyd, who is sitting on the committee, is really enlightening and a thoughtful analysis of what they are doing and why they are doing it.

[orpupilofnature57]

2. All too often redefining, is steered by

$$$$$$$$$$$$

[cbayer]

3. If anything, the American Psychiatric Association has more to financially lose than gain

by this kind of redefinition.

As the government and insurance companies generally only pay for treatment of disorders that are coded in the DSM, the tighter the definition, the less patients are going to qualify for it.

So, I don't think that money is driving this one.

[orpupilofnature57]

4. I didn't mean APA ,more the insurance Companies

considerations ,facilitated by the Government.

[cbayer]

5. The APA writes the manual and makes the changes.

There is no government or industry input or oversight.

[orpupilofnature57]

7. That is refreshing .

[TBF]

9. I doubt there is government involvement -

but I wouldn't be surprised if there is insurance industry $$$ behind this.

[Odin2005]

6. There is no epidemic.

[mzteris]

8. It's a MIRACLE!!!

I think there should be BETTER definitions of Autism and MORE refinement of the spectrum - and understanding that it's not a LINE that's crossed, but more like a sliding scale with peaks and valleys from one person to the next in one "symptom" (for lack of a better word right now) to the next.

[TBF]

10. Agree - and also agree with Odin that it is not an epidemic.

Perhaps folks are getting more accurately diagnosed as more is learned. I wonder how Asperger's sufferers will fare ...