Proposed Revision to ASD in DSMV

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Just got this through on my twitter feed. Not sure exactly how I feel, or how I predict if will affect my sons yet.

http://www.dsm5.org/ProposedRevisions/P ... px?rid=94#

What do you think?

I don't think it will affect my son at all. He pretty much fits it all! He does have an interest in socializing with adults though, and he doesn't have real strict routines, but he pretty much fits the whole thing. His current diagnosis is PDD-NOS/possible Asperger's.

Yes, my sons easily fit it all too. I found the severity classifications interesting. I guess most Aspies will be classified level 1.

i think its better than the previous revision at least.

i especially like this part:
Delays in language are not unique nor universal in ASD and are more accurately considered as a factor that influences the clinical symptoms of ASD, rather than defining the ASD diagnosis

hopefully we will see less of the stress on non-verbal presentation as an expectation for diagnosis. verbal ability does not mean verbal understanding or adequate social skills, and too often the ability to speak is taken as both, even in a child with severe impairment in actual communication skills. at least thats something ive seen through having a child with Autistic Disorder under the DSM-IV.

last month we took K to the doctor for something, and told his physician again that hes diagnosed asd. she said, "he talks, in what ways is he autistic?" somehow, i was expecting better from his doctor, silly me.

The new revision does seem much simpler, hopefully there will be less of this type of ignorance at least amongst the medical professionals soon.

I am also glad they included sensory issues with the criteria.

I went back and read the severity breakdowns. I am glad they included this. I was thinking they would definitely have to have some way to classify each case. I actually thought that they may do this in a way that is similar to classifying diabetes (Type 1, Type 2, etc...) , so I am happy to see that included. However, there still may be difficulty in classifying some cases depending on which doctor is deciding. Also, my son in some situations seems more high functioning than in other situations.

I am also glad they added the sensory piece. That was really lacking in the old criteria. This new criteria seems better, my daughter would definitely meet all of the criteria, whereas the old criteria with the verbal language delay was very confusing. She technically is HFA (with the old criteria) but with this new criteria the fine points are not so debatable. I think the severity breakdown could add confusion-the severity would probably differ among different environments/stress levels/good days vs bad days.

WHAT??! ! That kind of stuff makes me crazy! This isn't "man on the street," it's a doctor! In my way of thinking, there are two ways to interpret this. One, she was rude with no bedside manner, and isn't up on a large medical issue, or two, she was sincerely looking for information, and isn't up on a large medical issue!! Neither is acceptable, but depending on the attitude and how much she's willing to work with you, I might be looking for another M.D.

I realize this is off-topic. Just put a large parenthesis around the entire paragraph.