Friday, January 20, 2012
health care New Autism Definition Could Dramatically Alter Diagnoses
Posted by George Prentice on Fri, Jan 20, 2012 at 9:09 AM
Millions of parents and caregivers are talking about proposed changes in the definition of autism. One top expert said the revisions could "make the autism epidemic go away."
The proposed change, under review by a panel appointed by the American Psychiatric Association, could sharply reduce the ever-increasing rate at which autism is diagnosed. The revisions would not change the diagnosis of children already born with the problem, but could vastly narrow the set of problems currently linked to the autism spectrum.
Rates of autism and disorders such as Asperger syndrome have skyrocketed since the 1980s, to rates as high as one in 100 children.
According to The New York Times, "disagreement about the effect of the new definition will almost certainly increase scrutiny of the finer points of the psychiatric association's changes."
The revisions could be final by this December, according to Dr. David Kupfer of the University of Pittsburgh, chairman of the task force making the revisions.
Currentlly, at least a million children and adults have a formal diagnosis of autism or a related disorder. The diagnoses trigger services to help offset the disorders' disabling effects.
Comments (1)
Showing 1-1 of 1
Personally, I think they've been too fast and loose with the diagnosis...my daughter was diagnosed with Asperger's when it was clear to those who knew her well it was a sham. The diagnosis was made by a psychiatric nurse working for a disabled services agency who had a clear agenda to increase clients for both the agency and the drug company. When I asked for the information used to support the diagnosis, she refused to give it to me.
like
dislike
- Home |
- About BW and FAQ |
- Contact Us |
- BW Classifieds |
- Submit an Event |
- Advertise |
- Post a FREE Ad |
- Subscribe |
- BW Feedback |
- Privacy Policy |
- Submission Guidelines |
- Code of Ethics |
-
|
-
|
- BW Local Guide |
-
|
-
|
- Job Opportunities |
- National Advertising |
- Check Out Food, Music, and Art in Other Cities
