An expert panel established by the American Psychiatric Association has proposed a new definition of autism that may be included in the revised Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, referred to as the DSM. This book is a standard reference guide containing the diagnostic criteria often used by psychiatrists and psychologists to formally diagnose psychiatric and psychological conditions.
Currently, there is a debate within the professional community by opponents, including Dr. Fred Volkmar of the Yale Child Study Center, who believe the new definition is too restrictive and will exclude individuals who should be diagnosed with autism and proponents of the new definition who believe that this will reduce the over-identification of autism.
How this debate is resolved can have profound implications for people with autism and their families. For example, a person who is diagnosed with autism today, may not be a person with autism if the new definition is adopted and incorporated into the DSM. This change could impact the receipt of accommodations provided by employers and post-secondary educational institutions; continued eligibility for public benefits such as Social Security, SSI, and Medicaid, private insurance coverage; and even special education eligibility.
For more information about a recent article about this issue in the New York Times by Benedict Carey, please click the link below: