These four terms plus Autistic Disorder were grouped together under the label of Pervasive Developmental Disorder and included individuals with both severe and subtle challenges in their level and type of communication or social ability. Also included at that time were the disorders Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, Rett's Syndrome, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS). In 1994, with the release of the DSM-IV, the definition was modified to include the term Asperger's Syndrome for the first time. As research and our understanding of ASD advanced, these same behaviors were classified as a separate disorder in 1980, at first called infantile autism and later changed to autistic disorder. This disorder was classified with childhood schizophrenia and the label given to only those with the most severe challenges. In the earliest versions of the DSM, ASD was not well understood, and the term "autistic-type behaviors" was used. The original versions provided narrow definitions, which were expanded more broadly in later years. Although first defined as a mental health disorder, it was later correctly placed under neurodevelopmental disorders. Question: What is the history of ASD in the DSM?ĪNSWER: As you can see from the timeline, both the term and the definition of Autism Spectrum Disorder have changed many times over the years. It is not intended to be used in any way to identify or diagnose ASD. The purpose of this fact sheet is to act as a source of information regarding the definition of ASD according to the most recent version of the DSM. Such assessments are to be completed by trained medical personnel such as developmental pediatricians and psychologists. Instead, making a differential diagnosis requires a clinician to gather records and information about a person’s past history, conduct observations, interview caregivers, and conduct assessments designed to aid in the identification of ASD. At this time, no medical test exists for the diagnosis of ASD. Question: What is the purpose of this fact sheet?ĪNSWER: It is important to remember that making a diagnosis of ASD is a complicated matter. The DSM 5th edition (DSM-5), released in May, 2013, provides the latest definition of ASD based on what science and research have uncovered over time. This manual is used by clinicians and researchers to diagnose and classify disorders, including ASD. One way to view this progression is through the many revisions of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA). Due to years of research in a wide variety of fields, our understanding of what ASD is and what it looks like in different individuals has changed dramatically over time. What we know now is far beyond what we once believed. Here is an explanation of what these outdated diagnoses meant and how specific autism traits are accounted for within the broader ASD diagnosis.Autism Q & A: Just the Facts: The DSM-5 and Autism Spectrum Disorderīy Dawn Hendricks, Ph.D., Becky Boswell, M.B.A., & Alica Hart, B.A.ĭefining and understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a constantly evolving process. While ASD is now the official diagnosis and used for insurance coding purposes, healthcare providers may still use one of the previously recognized diagnoses in a patient's medical records. Prior to that, the DSM-IV recognized five autism spectrum diagnoses that are no longer used, including Asperger's syndrome, pervasive developmental disorder, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), Rett syndrome, and childhood disintegrative disorder. This has been true since 2013, when the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) was published. Despite the nuances involved in the disorder, anyone with autism traits receives the same diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Autism is a "spectrum disorder," meaning that the diagnosis includes autistic people with a wide range of mild, moderate, or intense traits.
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