Autism redefined as Asperger’s diagnosis disappears

Early next year, a new definition of autism will be used by scientists in order to more precisely diagnose kids with the brain disorder.

The diagnosis of Aspergers syndrome, considered a higher functioning form of autism, will disappear once the new criteria for identifying the disorder come out in May 2013, according to Dr. Catherine Lord, director of the Center for Autism and the Developing Brain a collaborative program between New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Cornell Medical College and Columbia University, in partnership with the New York Center for Autism.

The proposed changes on how doctors define and diagnose autism were the subject of a research study conducted by Lord and published in the latest issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry.

As a scientific medical diagnosis, Aspergers is merged into autism spectrum disorder, said Lord. Our committee felt there just wasnt any way to justify its continuance.

Lord is part of the American Psychiatric Associations working group responsible for updating the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, a guide used by physicians around the world. Improved diagnosis leads to better treatment.

There was so much confusion of who had Aspergers and who didnt. We were also concerned that there were kids being denied services because Aspergers sounds like a better diagnosis, she said.

Autism rates are staggering in North America. A debate is currently raging among physicians as to whether or not the rates are actually increasing or if experts have just recently recognized that many social and developmental syndromes are linked.

One in 88 children is believed to have the neurological disorder. Autistic kids can display a range of symptoms from repetitive or aggressive behaviour to a complete lack of social skills and an inability to speak, communicate or make eye contact with others.

Clinicians are scrambling to better define autism in an effort to quickly identify children and get them into interactive, behavioural treatment. There is no cure for autism and the burden on families can be immense as many autistic people cannot live on their own.

Nearly 70 years ago, Austrian pediatrician Hans Asperger was the first to notice in his practice intellectual children with social problems who were somewhat obsessed with specific topics or subjects. These children often avoided eye contact and were clumsy.

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Autism redefined as Asperger's diagnosis disappears

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