France's autism treatment - BBC
IMHO the english speaking world is way ahead of the French in understanding that Autism is largely neurological and not a psychosis. Both behavior modification in America and psychoanalysis in France are treatments based on the idea that Autistic behaviors are inherently "wrong" thus I have a problem with both. As much as I disagree with the French psychologists quoted in the article, they they have a point when they say "the behaviourists are dogmatically tied to their system and theirs alone". The OP's psychologist is not wrong about the influence of money on the DSM criteria.
Source - New York Times
Quote:
“We have to make sure not everybody who is a little odd gets a diagnosis of autism or Asperger disorder,” said Dr. David J. Kupfer, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh and chairman of the task force making the revisions, which are still subject to change. “It involves a use of treatment resources. It becomes a cost issue.”
bolding is mine
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Professionally Identified and joined WP August 26, 2013
DSM 5: Autism Spectrum Disorder, DSM IV: Aspergers Moderate Severity
“My autism is not a superpower. It also isn’t some kind of god-forsaken, endless fountain of suffering inflicted on my family. It’s just part of who I am as a person”. - Sara Luterman