Asperger's removed from leading health manual

19 Dec 2012: 
When I was studying my Counselling diploma I had to buy the ‘American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder IV' book for my studies. The book is soo big that it makes a really good door stop or a booster chair for a toddler to sit on.

I did take it with me to class a few times and on those days I noticed that my muscles were bigger from lugging it around.

Anyway, the importance of the blog is to discuss the changes made to the fifth edition of American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder.

The diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome has been removed from the manual which is used by health professionals around the world.

Australian doctors fear the removal of Asperger's from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder could have implications for the way autism is diagnosed, treated and funded in Australia.

It is the first major revision to the manual since 1994. In the fifth edition of the manual, released in May, Asperger's will be incorporated under the diagnosis of "autism spectrum disorder".

Autism Spectrum Australia found the proposed changes ‘may significantly reduce the numbers of individuals diagnosed' with autism in Australia in a peer reviewed study.

More than one in 100 Australian children are diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder and rates of diagnosis have been increasing in recent years.

The American Psychiatric Association's medical director James Scully said the changes would lead to more accurate diagnosis.

But Autism Spectrum Australia study author Vicki Gibbs said the "more stringent" requirements for a diagnosis would mean many parents would not be able to get help for their children.

Why should it get harder to get a diagnosis? A diagnosis helps a child/person gets the resources and assistance required to manage life better. Without a diagnosis the child/person is misunderstood and seen as troublesome.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

More blogs in the New Year!