DSM-5 Update: NYC's Top Diagnostician Denounces Proposed Changes!

[Guest guest]

DSM-5 Update: NYC's Top Diagnostician Denounces Proposed Changes!GRASP Note: Dr. and Dr. Lynda Geller are arguably New York City's most respected diagnosticians for Asperger's Syndrome. The following statement was written by Dr. (we're hoping to see something by Dr, Geller in the future). Back when the STARR program was the only school in the city for AS kids, the admissions team would not accept a child unless they had been personally diagnosed by Dr. , and this was due to clinical respect, and no other ties.Dr. completed his psychiatric training at the NYU School of Medicine and currently is a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at that institu­tion. Over the past 29 years, his pro­fes­sional time has been split between private practice and his work at Bellevue Hospital Center. "As somebody who has a decades long experience in diagnosing and treating individuals of all ages that are in the autistic spectrum, I want to share some of my thoughts about changes concerning autistic disorders proposed for the DSM-5. I am basically a clinician who has sub-specialized in the PDDs/ASDs since 1979, one year before the term PDD was coined. In my work in my private practice and at Bellevue Hospital Center I have been involved in the diagnosis, treatment and or advocacy of many hundreds of individuals that are diagnosed with these disorders.I am disturbed by the probability that the proposed changes to the DSM criteria for autistic disorders will reduce the numbers of individuals diagnosed as such. I have witnessed, over the years, how autistic individuals of all ages and levels of functioning have benefitted from diagnoses based on the DSM-III, DSM-IIIR and DSM-IV criteria. The ongoing clarification and broadening of diagnostic criteria has brought clarity to the conditions of autistic individuals and pointed families in the direction of therapeutic programs. These treatments include intensive cognitive behavioral interventions such as Applied Behavioral Analysis and social skill training. School staffs have been trained to address the issues of their autistic students. I have witnessed the benefits to individuals and their families from my office. I have witnessed the improvements in relationships that have accrued from the diagnosing of Asperger’s Disorder in adults whose relationships with their significant others often improve greatly once the diagnosis is made. I, like many, have read the many recent articles that note that many individuals now and in the future who meet criteria for an autistic disorder according to DSM-IV criteria will not meet DSM-5 criteria. This is quite disturbing. I do not conclude from my clinical work nor from my knowledge of the vast literature concerning autistic disorders over the past decades that the autistic disorders are being over diagnosed. I do not agree with comments by some who, in support of the new criteria, opine that diagnoses of autistic disorders are often done trivially and should be reduced. I believe from what I read that the DSM-5 proposal will have the effect of eliminating many who have autistic disorders from being appropriately diagnosed and from receiving appropriate treatment. For many, it will result in suffering; for some it will be disastrous." , M.D.http://richardperrymd.com/What can you do?If reducing the DSM-5 criteria threatens your child's special education funding, your services as an adult, or your self-esteem as an adult, then please maintain the following outline without letup:1. Sign the GRASP petition found at http://www.change.org/petitions/dsm-5-committee-dont-reduce-the-criteria-for-an-autism-spectrum-condition-in-the-dsm-5, and forward the link with your appeal for people to sign everywhere and anywhere. Again: 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.2. Call the American Psychiatric Association (APA)—during normal business hours; once every day, if possible, at . Yes, they are telling you to email instead. But we ask that you please instead be the articulate, impassioned, and peaceful nuisance that is needed in this debate, and not adhere to their instructions.3. Email the your letters to apa@... and to dsm5@...4. Check our Facebook page for updates, as well as to view the history and prior articles surrounding this issue since it broke on January 19th. This is especially helpful for those of you who feel you need talking points for your emails to the APA.Thank you!!!Thanks,

Mitch Silvers.