Changing definitions… Autism and Aspergers
Listening to Radio 4’s regular programme “All in the Mind” on 8th June my attention was grabbed by the interview with Professor Terry Brewer from the University of Leicester, and Daniel Carlat, M.D., Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Tufts University School of Medicine in America.
The discussion centred on the upcoming publication of the 5th edition of “The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Psychiatric Disorders” which is currently in consultation, planning and preparation, due for publication in some time in 2012 or 2013.
Of great significance is the recommendation of new categories for learning disorders and a single diagnostic category, “autism spectrum disorders” that will incorporate the current diagnoses of autistic disorders, Asperger’s Syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder and pervasive developmental disorder (not otherwise specified).
In other words, the current proposal is that Asperger’s Syndrome, which had only been introduced into the 4th edition of the DSM will no longer exist as a separate diagnosis.
Dr Michael First M.D., Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Columbia University added that the definition and diagnosis of Asperger’s “had gone a long way to overcoming the stigma of autism… now if this proposal goes through Asperger’s will evaporate and it will not be possible to differentiate mild from severe cases… ultimately the distinction of high functioning cases will go”.
Grasp, one of the largest Asperger’s support groups in America is following the controversy and debate on their website www.grasp.org including the issues of identity and stigma and lots more besides. I recommend you take a look.
On the radio, the debate continued. Professor Terry Brewer said “the reclassification could be unhelpful as the Asperger’s label opens doors…it could be difficult to see the dividing line between Asperger’s and Autism...the issue was one of a diagnosis being completely missed and that most adults with autism condition are unrecognised”.
Daniel Carlat added that the DSM 5th edition was still work in progress and no decisions have finally been taken as to which diagnoses will be in it and how they will be defined. Over the next year diagnostic criteria will be refined and field testing research will be undertaken.
So no conclusive decisions at this stage and if you are interested in following this issue directly, go to www.dsm5.org
So what do you think…. will this affect your family, your diagnosis?
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Resources:-
Broadcast of “All in the Mind” 8th June 2010, Radio 4
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