New DSM-5 Criteria For Autism -- Who Will Be Left Behind?

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I am definitely not an expert, but one thing I did notice about section A is that it says "deficits in" not "lack of". Which maybe means that a "milder" case could still fit the criteria.

I think that the DSM-5 is pretty much annihilating everything. At least the DSM-IV had SOME logic to it, but I fail to see any sense in any decision the DSM-5 is planning. I mean, taking out the mood disorder category?! That just BAFFLES me. Kraepelin is probably rolling over in his grave.

The DSM-V isn't going to be that bad, i think changes were made to make it easier on clinicians to diagnose people. Also changes were made to replace names of disorders to be more sounding politically .

To my knowledge the DSM-V isn't removing the mood disorders category.

"A proposed new diagnostic category, temper dysregulation with dysphoria (TDD), within the Mood Disorders section of the manual. The new criteria are based on a decade of research on severe mood dysregulation, and may help clinicians better differentiate children with these symptoms from those with bipolar disorder or oppositional defiant disorder."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DSM-5

Aspergers would fall into the Autism spectrum. Here's the wikipedia criteria:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diagnosis_ ... s_to_DSM-5

One of the proposed changes to DSM-5 is to do away with Asperger syndrome as a separate diagnosis and fold it under autism spectrum disorders, with severity measures within the broader diagnosis.[33]
In the proposed revision, individuals must meet the criteria in sections A, B, C and D to receive a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder .[34]
A. Deficits in social communication and interaction not caused by general developmental delays. Must have all 3 areas of symptoms present.[34]
1) Deficits in social-emotional reciprocity; failure to have a back and forth conversation.[34]
2) Deficits in nonverbal communication such as abnormal eye contact and body language or difficulty using and understanding nonverbal communication, and lack of facial expressions or gestures.[34]
3) Deficits in creating and maintaining relationships appropriate to developmental level (apart from relationships with caregivers). This may include trouble adjusting behavior to suit different social contexts, difficulties with imaginative play and making friends, and a lack of interest in other people.[34]
B. Demonstration of restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior, interest or activities. Must present two of the following.[34]
1) Repetitive speech, repetitive motor movements or repetitive use of objects (echolalia, idiosyncratic phrases).[34]
2) Adherence to routines, ritualized patterns of verbal or nonverbal behavior, or strong resistance to change (insists on eating the same food, repetitive questioning, or great distress at small changes).[34]
3) Fixated interests that are abnormally intense of focus (strong attachment to unusual objects, restricted interests).[34]
4) Over or under reactivity to sensory input or abnormal interest in sensory aspects of environment (such as indifference to pain, heat or cold, negative response to certain sounds or textures, extreme smelling or touching of objects, fascination with lights or spinning objects).[34]
C. Symptoms must be present in early childhood (May not become apparent until social demand exceeds limited capacity).[34]
D. Symptoms collectively limit and hinder everyday functioning.[34]

The proposed removal of Asperger’s Syndrome from the DSM has been controversial as it is commonly used by health insurers, researchers, state agencies, schools, and individuals with the disorder.[35] Experts are concerned that eliminating the Asperger’s label will prevent mildly affected people from being evaluated for Autism.[35]"

How are they going to work this? Start re-evaluating those with Aspergers? That would take a lot of time to do...