Important DSM-5 Update! From GRASP

[Guest guest]

Please forward to whomever or wherever you deem appropriate . . .

Dear all:

At the end of this update is a slew of new articles on the DSM-5 controversy.

But first . . .

It's time to dig out those emails you sent to the APA!

The DSM-5 Committee has just announced that starting yesterday, they will take

one final round of commentary from the public. Remember that when this story

broke on January 19, the last commentary period had just ended, and so our

emails to the APA were outside the demands of the APA as to when we were allowed

to convey our opinions.

Please, please chime in, as with the delay of the publication of the new ICD

codes, we have an opening to demand a delay in the new DSM's publication.

If you are wondering what to write, below please find some talking point

suggestions which you could base your comments around, if you so choose.

However, it is now time for us to make a demand. And we would ask you to demand

the following in your comments….

" Because of the vast disagreements amongst clinical professionals over how many

could lose an autism spectrum diagnosis with the proposed changes, I demand that

the new ASD criteria undergo an independent scientific review, and a

risk/benefit analysis on the impact of services. Furthermore, I demand that this

review be conducted by professionals that, unlike the DSM-5 Committee members,

have an extensive background in (a) services and/or clinical practice, ( all

ends of the spectrum, and © adult, as well as children. "

The DSM-5 commentary page can be found

here<mhtml:{D13AA262-ED25-401F-AE74-C117809C1613}mid://00068902/!x-usc:http://t.\

ymlp292.net/ebueapamqjyadaumqavaejbj/click.php>. Additional, optional talking

points are as follows (should you need or want them):

1. Adults and teens on the spectrum (as well as our loved ones) do not want to

return to the days prior to the DSM-IV, when most of our behavioral differences

were thought of as character deficits.

2. The DSM-IV did not (as has been stated) financially drain clinical or

government resources; on the contrary, the DSM-IV, in a big picture sense,

actually saved money given the long-term cost of (a) children who if not

educated properly would cost more in services later on, and who because of their

appropriate education could be productive citizens as adults; and (

individuals who by knowing who they were had their capacity for anxiety,

depression, or anger lessened—thus decreasing incarceration and homeless rates

and reducing their dependence on others to lead productive lives.

3. The DSM-IV did the world great good by broadening the criteria, thereby

expanding our notions of behavioral pluralism and increasing the self-esteem of

innumerable individuals: Furthermore, without the DSM-IV there would most likely

not be anti-bullying campaigns; (given two wars since) the much-needed increase

in attention to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder; and a multitude of other, big

picture improvements for us all.

3. Autism spectrum diagnoses are not “over-diagnosed,” especially given our

still-limited understanding of how these conditions manifest in women; and how

many under-represented, economically-challenged communities (especially

belonging to minority groups) still have not been properly evaluated.

4. The proposed changes to the DSM-5 contribute to the emotionally-destructive

“competition of suffering” (between opposite ends of t

he spectrum) that the autism world was finally starting to back away from,

wherein non-GRASP and non-like-minded entities often attempted to invalidate the

seriousness of another’s experiences.

5. The DSM-5 Committee’s autism spectrum experts seemingly carried no real

expertise or experience with either (a) the end of the spectrum at risk with

these changes, ( services, or © adults. We object not to the participation

of these individuals, but to the overall, and very poor composition of the

Committee.

6. The DSM-5 Committee is not beholden to, nor should they be guided by proven

or unproven economic concerns whatsoever; and that they should instead be guided

solely by a concern over our mental and emotional well-being, which these

changes dramatically threaten.

7. I believe that the proposed narrowing of criteria for an autism spectrum

diagnosis will cause catastrophic and irreparable damage to (1) the future of

innumerable children on the spectrum who need specialized education, (2)

innumerable parents with children receiving specialized education, (3)

innumerable adults on the spectrum who are receiving services under the current

criteria, and (4) anyone on the spectrum needing to know that their behavioral

differences are the product of wiring, and not personal defect.

8. The behavior of the Committee in their damage control attempts after the

story broke on January 19 has been deplorable at best. From Kupfer's citing of

cost issues, to King's disingenuous MedScape article, to Lord's astounding

comments that people " outgrow " their autism, and finally to Regier's attempts to

slander ex-Committee member (by resignation) Volkmar—an attempt in which he was

caught red-handed . . . we cannot trust individuals who conduct themselves this

way. If the architect of the DSM-IV, Dr. Frances, is willing to publicly

condemn their work habits, their ideas, and their conduct, any chance he gets;

that's saying plenty about this Committee.

Comment away, with our greatest thanks!!!

***

Over 6,400 signatures to the GRASP DSM-5 Petition! Sign the petition found

here<mhtml:{D13AA262-ED25-401F-AE74-C117809C1613}mid://00068902/!x-usc:http://t.\

ymlp292.net/ebumatamqjyacaumqataejbj/click.php>, and forward the link with your

appeal for people to sign everywhere and anywhere. Remember that forwarding

(especially through any and all appropriate social media sites) is arguably more

important than signing. So when you ask people to sign, ask them to forward as

well.

***

New articles!!!

Does the DSM-5 stigmatize human behaviors and emotions

(again)?<mhtml:{D13AA262-ED25-401F-AE74-C117809C1613}mid://00068902/!x-usc:http:\

//t.ymlp292.net/ebujacamqjyaxaumqapaejbj/click.php>

WBEZ (Chicago Public Media)

DSM-5 Debate: Committee Backs Off Some Changes, Re-Opens

Comments<mhtml:{D13AA262-ED25-401F-AE74-C117809C1613}mid://00068902/!x-usc:http:\

//t.ymlp292.net/ebubaramqjyavaumqakaejbj/click.php>

TIME Magazine

Wonderful News: DSM 5 Finally Begins Its Belated and Necessary

Retreat<mhtml:{D13AA262-ED25-401F-AE74-C117809C1613}mid://00068902/!x-usc:http:/\

/t.ymlp292.net/ebuhatamqjyakaumqadaejbj/click.php>

Psychology Today (More from Dr. Frances)

Check our Facebook

page<mhtml:{D13AA262-ED25-401F-AE74-C117809C1613}mid://00068902/!x-usc:http://t.\

ymlp292.net/ebuwadamqjyaaaumqadaejbj/click.php> for updates, as well as to view

the history and prior articles surrounding this issue since it broke on January

19th.

Thank you!!!

Yours, y'all,

Carley

GRASP

The Global and Regional Asperger Syndrome Partnership, Inc.

666 Broadway, Suite 825

New York, NY 10012

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