DSM-5: Proposed changes in Autism Spectrum Disorder

One of the many changes proposed for the DSM-V, the diagnostic manual used by mental health professionals, is a revision of the group of disorders currently subsumed under Pervasive Developmental Disorders.  In the current system in the DSM-IV-TR, there are five disorders in this group:  Rett’s Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, Autistic Disorder, Asperger’s Disorder, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS). Under the new proposal, however:

• The name for the grouping would change from Pervasive Developmental Disorders to Autism Spectrum Disorders.
• Rett’s Disorder would be removed completely from the DSM.  You can read their rationale for removal here.
• The diagnostic criteria for Autistic Disorder will change.  You can read the revised diagnostic criteria here.  You can also read the rationale for changing the diagnostic criteria by clicking on the “Rationale” tab on that page and see the existing diagnostic criteria by clicking on the “DSM-IV” tab on that page.
• Asperger’s Disorder will be removed as a unique or separate diagnosis; people currently diagnosed with Asperger’s Disorder would be diagnosed under the newly re-defined Autistic Disorder. You can read the rationale for this change here.
• Childhood Disintegrative Disorder will be removed as a unique or separate diagnosis;  children who meet current diagnostic criteria for Childhood Disintegrative Disorder would be diagnosed under the newly re-defined Autistic Disorder. You can read the rationale for this change here.
• PDD-NOS will also be removed as a unique diagnosis and will be subsumed under the proposed Autistic Disorder.

If you wish to send the APA feedback on their proposal, you can register on the DSM-5 web site and then submit feedback when you are logged in and looking at a particular diagnosis.

Note:  With this post, I am switching over to “DSM-5″ instead of “DSM-V,” as the APA just announced that they are changing that, too!