Proposed Changes to the DSM

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders is published by the American Psychiatric Association and is used by clinicians and psychiatrists to diagnose psychiatric illnesses in adults and children, including Autism. Currently in its fourth edition, the Manual has not undergone a major revision in 17 years. However, an expert panel has been appointed by the Association to reassess the publication, which has many concerned. Modifications are expected to narrow the criteria for Autism which could have a huge impact on individuals' abilities to access Autism-specific funding, resources and insurance benefits.

Click here for a press release issued on January 20, 2012 by the American Psychological Association on the proposed criteria changes.

Click here for a press release issued on May 2, 2012 by the American Psychological Association inviting public comment on the proposed criteria for the upcoming fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).

Be sure to check back to this page often for ongoing updates on this important change to the definition of "Autism".

Autism And Asperger’s In The DSM-V: Thoughts On Clinical Utility	Feb. 15, 2010
Some Experts Worried Over Revised Autism Guidelines	Dec. 28, 2012
New Definition of Autism Will Exclude Many, Study Suggests	Jan. 19, 2012
Proposed Changes Of Autism Definition Does Not Sit Well With The Autism Community	Jan. 19, 2012
Proposed Changes To Autism Definition May Mean New Diagnoses For People With Asperger's	Jan. 20, 2012
Plan To Change Autism Definition Has Some Worried	Jan. 20, 2012
Autism Diagnosis Change: What Does It Mean?	Jan. 20, 2012
Diagnosis Changes Worry Autism Advocates	Jan. 21, 2012
New Proposed Autism Definition Could Include Fewer People	Jan. 21, 2012
The Autism Controversy Revisited	Jan. 22, 2012
How Will the DSM V Changes in Autism Affect People?	Jan. 23, 2012
APA Considers New Definition For Autism, A Change That Could Limit Kids’ Access To Special Education	Jan. 23, 2012
Why The Definition Of Autism Matters	Jan. 24, 2012
Parents Worry About New Autism Criteria	Jan. 24, 2012
Psychiatric Group Push to Redefine Mental Illness Sparks Revolt	Jan. 24, 2012
Parents Worry About Redefinition Of Autism	Jan. 25, 2012
Parents Have Good Reason to Fear the Redefining of Autism	Jan. 27, 2012
Redefining Autism: Will New DSM-5 Criteria for ASD Exclude Some People?	Jan. 30, 2012
Student With Asperger’s Syndrome Speaks Against Changing Definition Of Autism	Jan. 31, 2012
Autism Speaks Statement on Proposed Revisions to the DSM Definition of Autism Spectrum Disorder	Feb. 2, 2012
Revised Autism Definition Too Important to Rush Into Print: View	Feb. 6, 2012
Asperger’s, Overdiagnosed, Ill Defined, May Not Be a Syndrome Much Longer	Feb. 7, 2012
Parents Of Autistic Kids Fear Diagnostic Changes Will Mean Reduced Services	Feb. 12, 2012
Doctors Want To Redefine Autism; Some Parents Worry Their Children Will Be Denied Special Ed	April 5, 2012
Doctors Want To Redefine Autism; Parents Worried	April 5, 2012
Doctors Want To Redefine Autism; Parents Worried	April 6, 2012
Findings from DSM-5 Field Testing	May 8, 2012
The Changing Spectrum Of Autism	May 16, 2012
The Proposed DSM-5 Will Result In Far Fewer Persons Being Diagnosed With Autism, Predicts New Study	May 16, 2012
New Report Finds DSM-5 Criteria Unlikely To Exclude Many	May 24, 2012
DSM-5 Update: Autism Speaks' Letter to the Revision Committee	June 11, 2012