![]() How does the position statement define the severe population? We take no position on labels for disorders that are unlike severe autism, but note that all forms of ASD by definition cause significant impairment and require supports. What labels does NCSA propose for milder conditions? We are not prescriptive, though we suggest possibilities like Autistic Disorder, Severe Autism, Profound Autism, and Classic Autism. What does NCSA propose calling the new diagnostic category? Please join us for an interactive webinar on Wednesday, October 13 at 8pm EST / 5pm PST to discuss why and how NCSA, along with many researchers, clinicians, advocacy organizations and families, are now calling for revision of the ASD diagnosis. It’s been eight years without a revision. The APA switched from Roman to Arabic numerals in DSM-5 because the organization anticipated issuing frequent revisions, i.e., DSM-5.1, 5.2, etc. As stakeholders representing those incapable of speaking for themselves, we have the duty to speak out. Virtually all of the problems that recur in NCSA blog posts and webinars – from the lack of appropriate services for our population, to the overrepresentation of very mildly affected autistics in the media and public discourse more broadly, to the underrepresentation of the severely autistic in research – all stem from, or are worsened by, the lack of a unique diagnosis for severe autism and the devastating symptoms that often accompany it. Please don’t dismiss this as an arcane catfight confined to academia. Instead, a quirky genius as exemplified by the protagonist of The Good Doctor and a profoundly affected, nonverbal adult who requires 24-hour supervision so he doesn’t elope or put his head through a window are both simply considered “ASD.” Differentiation was supposed to occur through the attachment of severity levels ranging from 1-3, but these are infrequently used and fail to reflect dramatically different clinical realities. That move was undone with DSM-5, which “lumped” these categories into one, autism spectrum disorder (ASD). DSM-IV “split” out different autism phenotypes, proposing diagnoses of Asperger’s as well as pervasive developmental disorder, not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), childhood disintegrative disorder, and autistic disorder. If you know someone who was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, for example, that means he or she was diagnosed during the reign of DSM-IV, from 1994-2013. These can and often do change from edition to edition. The DSM, otherwise known as the “bible of American psychiatry,” lays out the current diagnostic categories and their criteria. Unlike our other position statements, which are pretty straightforward, this one might require additional explanation – especially if your initial reaction is, What is the DSM? And why should I care? ![]() ![]() NCSA has released a position statement calling for categorical recognition of severe autism in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) of the American Psychiatric Association (APA).
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