Impact of the changes in the DSM's criteria for an autism diagnosis

Eighty three percent of children who would have been diagnosed with autism under the DSM-IV criteria are diagnosed with autism under the new DSM-5 standards, reports a new study.  An additional 14 percent of children who would have been diagnosed with autism under DSM-IV are now diagnosed with social communication disorder under the DSM-5.

Social communication disorder (SCD) is a new diagnosis appearing in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). SCD  "is characterized by a persistent difficulty with verbal and nonverbal communication that cannot be explained by low cognitive ability. Symptoms include difficulty in the acquisition and use of spoken and written language as well as problems with inappropriate responses in conversation. The disorder limits effective communication, social relationships, academic achievement, or occupational performance."  To meet the criteria for SCD, the symptoms must be apparent in early childhood.

More information on SCD is available from the American Speech Language Hearing Association and the Child Mind Institute.

The study "A Comparison of DSM-IV PDD and DSM-5 ASD Prevalence in an Epidemiologic Sample" is published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

More information on this study is available from Autism Speaks.

©Mary M Conneely T/A Advocacy in Action