Reply to Does anyone feel like the current DSM needs urgent updating?

Forum Index » Kids With Special Needs and Disabilities

Reply to "Does anyone feel like the current DSM needs urgent updating? "

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]A big  problem is the use of the word "mild" paired with autism. Autism is a severe social communication condition that impacts everyday functioning
[/quote]

Not per the dsm. The dsm never says severe. That’s why you now have so many dx with asd who seem completely nt [/quote]

It doesn’t say “severe.” But there are supposed to be “persistent deficits” and “clinically significant impairment” for level 1 autism. [/quote]

DP here and my kid has autism level 2 and sounds a lot like the description of the first kid here that another PP posted: “ I know one kid who will close his eyes and rock back and forth as far as physically possible. He can hardly have a back and forth conversation, and laughs and talks to himself loudly at inappropriate times. He cannot come up with his own answers to assignments that require original sentences. Another autistic kid I know has back and forth conversations in some context, but not others (he can ask for clarification when receiving instructions, but in casual conversation either doesn't respond or responds with something completely off topic). He rocks back and forth in a less exaggerated manner with his eyes glazed over, and blurts out comments.”

To be honest both those kids sound autistic. Not doubting that. And it sounds like they both have problems in communication that is significant.

The issue to me and many other parents is that basically there’s a lot of kids who have some sensory difficulties around things like loud noises or food, and are sort of introverted and rigid in their personalities, and thus may have some problems making friends and stuff. But they are verbally communicative, in the mainstream curriculum at school, can answer questions and give responses, etc. But those kids are getting diagnosed as level 1 autism now - but should they be? I don’t know. Is a “difficult” personality with some anxiety and sensory difficulties enough to be “autism?” [/quote]

All excellent questions.  You'd probably look at my DS and wonder that.  He does have some odd mannerisms/speech patters that make him seem more "autistic" but at this point, the impact on his life seems to be less and less.  The only reason we got the diagnosis was behavior problems that were really interfering with camp/school and the only reason we got the IEP was behaviors in school that have little to do with academics.  [/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics