Policy Analysis on the Revised Autism Criteria in the DSM-5

To promote greater community involvement and representation in the development of the fifth edition of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5), ASAN created two policy briefs discussing the proposed revisions to the definition of autism. Funded by a grant from the Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AIDD), these policy briefs were produced through ASAN’s Program on Ethical, Legal and Social Implications of Autism Research. We began by reviewing the potential implications of the DSM-5 draft criteria on services, supports, and accommodations:

Download the PDF here: What Are the Stakes? An Analysis of the Impact of the DSM-5 Draft Autism Criteria on Law, Policy and Service Provision

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The second policy brief analyzing the proposed changes to the autism criteria expanded upon the initial discussion by outlining various issues of concern and ASAN’s recommendations for how to address them. In setting forth our recommendations for the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for the autism spectrum, we provided extensive research support for each recommended change. In addition to identifying potential benefits and problems associated with the DSM-5 draft criteria, we discussed what the autism spectrum looks like across differences in age, racial, ethnic and cultural background and gender:

Download the PDF here: ASD in DSM-5: What the Research Shows and Recommendations for Change

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