Proposed Change to How Autism is Defined

Author: mom_to_one, 08 18th, 2011

In the next edition of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM V), scheduled to be published in 2013, the Asperger category may be eliminated. Instead of having its own label, Asperger will be lumped in under “Autism Spectrum Disorder” that will apply to every person with autism, no matter the level of severity. Understandably, this proposed revision has parents worried.

Parents of children with severe autism worry that getting rid of the separate Asperger category will lead people to believe that all children with autism are high functioning. On the other end, parents of children with Asperger fear that wrong diagnoses will become more prevalent. It would appear that parents need to step up autism education and advocate for their children if they do not want the change.


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