January 20th, 2012

The New York Times reports that “proposed changes in the definition of autism would sharply reduce the skyrocketing rate at which the disorder is diagnosed and might make it harder for many people who would no longer meet the criteria to get health, educational and social services.”

A panel of experts at the American Psychiatric Association are reviewing the proposed change, which would exclude  most high-functioning  autism patients.

“Our fear is that we are going to take a big step backward,” said Lori Shery, president of the Asperger Syndrome Education Network. “If clinicians say, ‘These kids don’t fit the criteria for an autism spectrum diagnosis,’ they are not going to get the supports and services they need, and they’re going to experience failure.”

If approved, the new changes would appear in the newest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (commonly known as DSM), the first substantial revision in 17 years.