Autism Numbers May Decline Under New DSM-5 A new study by the JAMA Psychiatry suggests that the number of U.S. children estimated to have autism could decline as a result of the new criteria to diagnose autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The new study reviewed information from 8-year-olds living in 14 areas of the United States in 2006 and 2008. The estimated prevalence of autism in 2008 under the old criteria was 11.3 cases per 1,000 people in the population. Under the new criteria, the prevalence dropped to 10 cases per 1,000 people. More specifically, researchers found that nearly 1 in 5 of the youngsters would not have qualified for a diagnosis on the autism spectrum under the updated criteria in the latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). (It should also be noted that no one who was diagnosed with autism under the old guidelines will have their diagnosis taken away based on the new guidelines). Unfortunately this study had to compare the DSM-IV and DSM-5 criteria- which is like comparing apples to oranges due to all the significant changes. Some of the key changes in the new DSM include: 1. Subcategories, e.g., Aspergers, Rhetts etc... have been eliminated, however a new category, Social Communication Disorder, has been added. 2. Symptoms dont have to be present at the time of assessment; they count if they were exhibited in the past as well. 3. Patients must show problems with three specific types of social communication, including nonverbal communication. In the previous criteria, it could include just two types. 4. Patients must show restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities of at least two types. One type can be hyper or hypo reactivity to sensory input- something often associated with autism but was not previously included. The researchers who conducted the study stated that this was just a hypothetical scenario, and the new diagnoses may not have the same impact in the real world. In addition, these changes may allow for children who don’t qualify under autism now, to be diagnosed with a social communication disorder instead. To view the study visit archpsyc.jamanetwork/article.aspx?articleid=1814891
Posted on: Fri, 24 Jan 2014 20:43:22 +0000
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