Debating About Changes to Autistic Spectrum Diagnoses in the New DSM-V

The following debate originally took place on my Facebook wall, upon my post, “Estimates Indicate Redefinition of Autism Within Fifth Edition of DSM Manual Will Significantly Affect Diagnosis Numbers“…

Estimated Changes from DSM-IV to DSM-V

Estimated Changes from DSM-IV to DSM-V

Rayn: According to three separate research estimates, under the proposals of the new DSM V, due out in 2013, up to 75% of those previously diagnosed as having Aspergers Syndrome will no longer qualify as being on the Autistic Spectrum, as well as up to 85% of those with PDD-NOS

Redefining Autism:
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/01/20/us/redefining-autism.html

Jessica G.: So much fear mongering. So much. The research was based off of old guidelines, and old articles. The core of autism isn’t being changed at all. I’ve posted lengthy discussions on this already, people need to not worry so much.

Rayn:  whole thing has been COMPLETELY POLITICIZED, through and through. To begin, the Autistic Spectrum doesn’t really belong in the DSM, in the first place! It is a neurological condition, not a mental illness! (I wrote about this in my 2009 blog on the topic).

Second, few are discussing the impact that fully dropping the terms “Asperger’s syndrome” and “PDD-NOS” from medical jargon will have on the autistic community. Many strongly identify with the aforementioned phrases, personally, and among their peers, so they will not want see them go. Much of Autistic cuture is based around them, and large numbers will fight hard to keep them alive. Even more will battle against the next logical step for neurotypical society: ever-increasing popular usage of the degrading, inappropriate eugenicist phrases, “high-functioning” and “low-functioning” to distinguish Autistic individuals from each other. This will result in a large backlash from the Autistic community. Also, if you’ll note, with the new terminology, Asperger’s SYNDROME will now officially become a DISORDER, too – something that will not be embraced by all parties, either! And, of course, the very presence of the new definition within the DSM, much like the old ones it now covers, still implies the ridiculous notion that a “cure” is the always-desired route for a hard-wired neurological condition! Ha!

Finally, with the New York Times article referencing a sharp reduction of “skyrocketing” numbers of autistic diagnoses, this appears to be more about denial of available services than anything else!

Here are the proposed DSM-V changes:
http://www.dsm5.org/ProposedRevisions/Pages/proposedrevision.aspx?rid=94

There is a tab on that same link for DSM-IV definition for Autistic Disorder, so that you can read it right after. But, it can also be found here, as well:
http://www.autreat.com/dsm4-autism.html

Now, here is the DSM-IV definition of Asperger’s Syndrome:
http://www.autreat.com/dsm4-aspergers.html

DSM-IV PDD-NOS:
http://www.pervasivedevelopmentaldisorders.com/dsm-iv.htm

As far as general symptoms go, you are correct, Jessica. The core definition for the new “Autistic Spectrum Disorder” in the DSM V combines most features of “Autistic Disorder,” “Asperger’s Syndrome,” and “PDD-NOS” in the DSM IV. However, let us not overlook the new and ominous criteria (D), requiring that the new list of “symptoms together limit and impair everyday functioning.” This factor will most assuredly effect the rate of diagnosis, by far, which will become fleeting for those individuals who are able to sucessfully manage their Autistic symptom within our neurotypical society! Like I said in the beginning: it’s POLITICS! And, the Autistic community is caught right in the middle, like always! (Click Here to Continue Reading This Post)

The DSM-V: Redefining the Autistic Spectrum

The following article was inspired by my posts, “Under New 2013 DSM-V, ‘Asperger’s’ Diagnosis to be Folded into ‘Autism Spectrum Disorder’,” “Estimates Indicate Redefinition of Autism Within Fifth Edition of DSM Manual Will Significantly Affect Diagnosis Numbers,” as well as the beginning portion of my post, “Debating About Changes to Autistic Spectrum Diagnoses in the New DSM-V“…

DSM-V

DSM-V

The official release of the new Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) V, due out in 2013, is quickly coming upon us! And, unsurprisingly, it’s more POLITICS than anything else!

Out: “Asperger’s Syndrome,” “PDD-NOS,” & “Autistic Disorder”
In: “Autistic Spectrum Disorder”

(Click Here to Continue Reading This Post)

Estimates Indicate Redefinition of Autism Within Fifth Edition of DSM Manual Will Significantly Affect Diagnosis Numbers

I originally posted the following information and commentary onto my Facebook wall…

Estimated Changes from DSM-IV to DSM-V

Estimated Changes from DSM-IV to DSM-V

Redefining Autism:
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/01/20/us/redefining-autism.html

My Commentary: According to three separate research estimates, under the proposals of the new DSM-V, due out in 2013, up to 75% of those previously diagnosed as having Aspergers Syndrome will no longer qualify as being on the Autistic Spectrum, as well as up to 85% of those with PDD-NOS

Under New 2013 DSM-V, “Asperger’s” Diagnosis to be Folded into “Autism Spectrum Disorder”

I originally posted the following information and commentary onto my Facebook wall…

Susan Meyer, of Ramsey, N.J., and her mother, Mary

Susan Meyer, of Ramsey, N.J., and her mother, Mary

New Definition of Autism Will Exclude Many, Study Suggests:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/20/health/research/new-autism-definition-would-exclude-many-study-suggests.html

(Proposed changes in the definition of autism would sharply reduce the skyrocketing rate at which the disorder is diagnosed and might make it harder for many people who would no longer meet the criteria to get health, educational and social services, a new analysis suggests.

The definition is now being reassessed by an expert panel appointed by the American Psychiatric Association, which is completing work on the fifth edition of its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the first major revision in 17 years. The D.S.M., as the manual is known, is the standard reference for mental disorders, driving research, treatment and insurance decisions. Most experts expect that the new manual will narrow the criteria for autism; the question is how sharply.

(Read entire article here…)

My Commentary: New Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) proposals for 2013 are quickly coming upon us!

Out: Aspergers Syndrome
In: Autistic Spectrum Disorder

I blogged my opinion on this particular issue back in November, 2009:

Asperger’s Syndrome to Be Phased Out of DSM-V and Folded Into “Autism Spectrum Disorder”:
http://acidrayn.com/2009/11/24/aspergers-syndrome-to-be-phased-out-of-dsm-v-and-folded-into-autism-spectrum-disorder/

Discussing Restructuring in Upcoming DSM-V as Indication of Major Paradigm Shift in Field of Psychiatry

The following correspondence originally took place upon the Facebook wall of my friend, Claudia C…

2010-12-23-discussing-restructuring-in-upcoming-dsm-v-as-indication-of-major-paradigm-shift-in-field-of-psychiatry

Claudia: That is good article!

Narcissistic Disorder to be Eliminated in Diagnostic Manual:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/30/health/views/30mind.html

Rayn: Hmmm… This will be happening in 2013. Meanwhile, the DSM will be doing the same thing to Asperger’s Syndrome in 2012.

A Powerful Identity, A Vanishing Diagnosis:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/03/health/03asperger.html

With all of this restructuring taking place, it would appear that there is a major paradigm shift underway in the field of psychiatry. I wonder which corporate agenda is being served this time… Probably the pharmaceutical industry, again…

Claudia C.: it seems that the only entity benefiting from these changes are indeed the pharmaceutical companies who are not capable to admit that the drugs they are producing are not safe. If they have an altered dsm to this point they can easily claim that the drugs are efficient as opposed to dangerous and inadequate.