The upcoming fifth edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual will have a drastic impact on the diagnosis of autism-spectrum disorders. Some fear that the changes will overly limit diagnosis and research of disorders related to autism.
ABC reports on the new manual's removal of the diagnosis of Aspberger's Syndrome. Instead, those with such symptoms will fall under the autism diagnosis. The article claims that the differences between those with autism and those with Aspberger's are crucial elements when considering treatment. To no longer acknowledge the different conditions, medical personnel may be limiting their ability to treat.
There are a slew of blogs and reports on the impact of the changes on those who find a sense of identity with their disorder. Yahoo posted a blog about the way the changes may impact research and treatment. With all of the disorders (including Aspberger's, pervasive development delay, and childhood disintegrative disorder) falling on an autism spectrum, it will be harder for practitioners to differentiate easily between the different types of treatment required.
But that may be the point. Doctors have long sought to treat symptoms instead of focusing on labels. The New York Times reports that the manual's impact will be primarily monetary and that the distinction between disorders is a side effect of fiscal scheming. The names of the disorders have long been important for insurance purposes. Putting them all under one title makes billing and making money an easier affair.
The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual is set for release later this month.
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