DSM 5 for autism

[RGO]

Hi
Just wondered if any of you lovely ladies have seen this...and if so what do you think???
leftbrainrightbrain.co.uk/2011/01/proposed-dsm5-autism-diagnostic-criteria-made-public/

Sorry if link doesn't work btw i am on iPhone!!

I think (hope) it will make early identification better and clearer ( particularly with the clarity on shared attebtion deficits) and it will hopefully mean that some local authorities will not get away with denying OT for children with a dx as there is now a clear signpost to sensory issues within the new criteria.
I have heard that the new diagnostic process will mean that more children will have a secondary dx too (particularly relating to language disorder)
Not sure about the levels as the whole process of dx for ASD is so subjective that some children may very well be a 2.5 on a Monday at the clinic when under a lot more pressure,but a 1.25 at home on a good day!
Think the proof will be in the pudding!

So true RGO- ds1 is a 1.5 usually, a 3 today.

Looks like theory of mind and imagination etc is no longer in it, yup. Sensory difficulties are not necessary - it says a child has to have 2 out of 4 things in that category, and sensory stuff is one of those four, so they can be on the autism spectrum without having sensory behaviours.
I don't think anyone loses their current diagnosis when it changes. It'll just be a different set of criteria for new cases.

Pipin with ds1 I tend to use ASD now anyway, simply becuase severe AS tends to confuse people and AS doesn;t quite cut a statemented child needing a specialist palcement when so many peole are aware of the whole neurodiversity AS isn't anything much vibe.

OTOH I mentioned to ds1 that he and ds3 now share a dx and he was distinctly unimpressed LOL.

I am wondering how the ASD Base will fure given that ATM they only take AS but there's nowhere barring the severe unit for everyone else, so they might have to take HFA / moderate cases? hope so, woudl rather we'd moved by then but if not better there for ds3 than anywhere else I have seen.

omg my son has all of the symptoms only classic ASD so why in the heck idnt they want to listen when ive been telling them since he was 2 1/2 help,,,,huston we have a problem its taking untill hes 10 to be diagnosed and now just as hes meant to be going to secondary school they listen but only because they just couldnt cope any longer and neither could He , he hurt a member of staff so excluded him for 2 2/1 days went back on the monday and they increased it for another 10 days and told me they would physically restrain him next time too last time they physically restrained him and two male teachers leaned on him to keep him in the chair in the head teachers office two male (he hates men) who were not known to him just for standing on the field and wouldnt move it was playtime btw

My son is clearly level 3 (perhaps we would hover on edge of 2 during a supported ABA session), but is also clearly HFA on IQ levels.
So he is severe ASD but high functioning
Which sort of explains why there are no schools or units that fit as the assumption here is if you are severe ASD you are also low functioning (and need MDL or SLD) and if you are high functioning you must be mild ASD and just need mainstream.
Be interesting to see if it feeds into criteria for services

ohhh I think DS might well be 3s :(

Definition makes much more sense in terms of DS

The research shows very clearly that IQ doesn't make any difference to quality of life or life outcomes for us. Not one single thing. The only thing that makes a difference is social skills and social network around us. They were measuring IQ as if it was some amazing truth about autism that meant those with a higher IQ were less autistic.

It's like saying "you are a wheelchair user but have a high IQ, therefore you are not disabled". Or "You are Blind, but have a high IQ, therefore are not disabled".

I'm so pleased that they've now realised the error.

I agree with Agnes about how LEA classify children also with Pipin about the status given to the various levels of dx. I am sure we will start meeting parents saying 'Oh we are level 1 you know'. I have given up trying to follow all the ins and outs of the politics of autism. ds has language and learning difficulties and needs help to learn. That's enough for me for now and I do wonder how of this is really going to help the child get the actual help that he or she needs. Or will it just give parasitic professionals more excuses to go to conferences in nice locations to discuss all this fascinating stuff ?

I am having the IQ v social and educational success battle at the moment.
DS has actually had his support lessened in school.. When questioned ll I kept getting was but he scores higher that average on his Cognative screener scores.

Yes .. I have no doubt that the ability is there.. But if he spend his time struggling with coping with the social side his potential will never be reached.
Now I'm happy that his behaviour/ effort isn't causing concern at school.. But his scores for this aren't actually great.. And this has a direct affect on his successes!
( we get to forget the increase in self esteem, anxiety and subsiquent behaviours as a result that he shows at home in his safe space.. )
interestingly enough there is a distinct difference in how he interacts with school staff and other proffesionals who actually give him time, understanding and support when speaking to them.. And he'll answer with his thoughts with these people .. Rather than just agreeing with the quick fire questions and framing of questions that school staff throw at him.

It's a losing battle.. And the only person suffering is ds.
So having a 'level' of need to be able to print off and dump in front of school is a glimmer of hope for us.

Agnew DS3 is like that also

Yes he is bright and when he can access MS lessons can understand them

Only, slowly but surely he can access them less and less as he slips into another world.

I have little idea how he will end up- he has become mroe severe in many ways in the last year and has gone from accessing MS with help (in a general SN Base) to not being able to and paed even suggested the more severe ASD Unit (no, he is happy and school are happy so we are happy).

Interesting thing though- when he was diagnosed he would not have fit the new criteria yet he has clearly followed an ASD developmental path and it is clear as day now. it took the 3Di to dx him originally as he presented differently, would take a ransom person who saw rainman once I think now.

Note to self: get teacher to write a narrative report highlighting ds's current difficulties NOW... before school become aware of new criteria to deny.