In spite of massive public outcry, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) announced in a press release on February 10, 2010 that they intend to move forward with their decision to incorporate Aspergers Syndrome and PDD-NOS into a broader Autism Spectrum Disorders category in the new DSM-V.
The DSM is the clinical standard by which mental health disorders are diagnosed and categorized. The APA web site states:
"The recommendation of new categories for learning disorders and a single diagnostic category, “autism spectrum disorders” that will incorporate the current diagnoses of autistic disorder, Asperger’s disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder and pervasive developmental disorder (not otherwise specified). "
Members of the Aspergers community are afraid the new label will saddle them with a stigma and make it even harder for them to function in an already difficult society. At the same time, some parents of children with "classic" Autism are also concerned about the change. "People already have an idea in their heads that my autistic son is like Rain Man," said Dallas parent Cheryl Starkey "I think putting Aspergers in the same category as lower functioning autistics will just add to the false stereotype that everyone with autism is gifted."
In response to the criticism, the ADA opened up a web site that allows clinicians and parents to sign up and comment on the changes. Registration is required, but the ADA has made it clear that they are compassionate about the feelings of parents and want their input as well.
You can sign up to make comments on the changes to the DSM-V at www.DSM5.com
How you do feel about the proposed change? Will it help those with Aspergers or hinder them? What about people with autism who are lower functioning? Will the change help elevate their status or harm them by making it seem that they need less assistance than they do? Please comment below.
Comments
Obviously, making a larger lump of alternatively functioning people is not going to make for better understanding or better individualized care. Thanks for the info.
i was diagnosed in childhood; as an adult some drs say autism turned into aspergers. others say still autism. others say pdd. they cannot agree. the time they spend debating is frustrating and not helpful.
some people also say, you can type/talk so you are aspergers, not autistic, therefor you don't need help, and your opinions about medical care, advocacy etc do not matter. different labels enable silencing/derailing.
i think combining labels is a good idea and brings back focus to important things.
I'm still concerned by the new criteria. I'm afraid those who currently fit the PDD-NOS and Asperger's criteria, will fall through the diagnostic cracks under the new criteria. Many will not "appear" to be Autistic and without more specific guidelines, diagnosis will be completely left to speculation.
As it stands, those with verbal skills are often dismissed as being ASD due to their coping skills.
The DSM-V is going to leave a lot of children undiagnosed.
I have mixed feelings about the change. I spend a great deal of time in conversations explaining what Aspergers is and how it is different from severe Autism, However when I speak with people whose children have Autisim, I see so many similarities. I'm not sure if changing the criteria would be a bad thing. There would most certainly still need to be some type of diffrentiation between the severity scales. Also if it is changed, how will this effect the services available as they are already so limited
The new guidelines appear way too simplistic for such a multifaceted disorder.
On the surface, calling ALL autism, autism, could potentially be helpful, as it could lessen all the hair splitting of exactly which 'brand' of autism someone has. Additionally, many school districts and insurance companies will provide services for a diagnosis of autism, yet not for PDD-NOS, or Asperger's. So this may help in eliminating that loophole.
However, where are the details? Listing a few simplistic statements that everyone must meet completely in order to get a diagnosis will not help the Autism community.
Excellent article. Thanks for the information. --Dallas Events Examiner.
yea i have asperders and im glad im dx cause im hoping for the pnes who have gotten dx that they wont fall though ugly cracks to get dx and services they need as well. i was dx as an adult so i know how it is. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! email if anyone ants to respond. kitcheninmyhair@yahoo.com
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