As Specialists Debate Autism, Some Parents Watch Closely - NYT

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A Specialists' Debate on Autism Has Many Worried Observers

By AMY HARMON

A debate among medical professionals over how to define autism has

spilled over into the public domain, stirring anger and fear among many

parents and advocates of those with the neurological disorder, even as

some argue that the diagnosis has been too loosely applied.

A study reported on Thursday found that proposed revisions to the

American Psychiatric Association's definition would exclude about

three-quarters of those now diagnosed with milder forms of autism called

Asperger syndrome or " pervasive developmental disorder, not otherwise

specified, " also known as P.D.D.-N.O.S. These are people who have

difficulties with social interaction but do not share the most severe

impairments of children with classic autism.

" He was right on the border, they told me when he got the diagnosis;

that's what scares me, " said Forman of Flourtown, Pa., whose

5-year-old son was diagnosed two years ago with P.D.D.-N.O.S. After

receiving play therapy, occupational therapy and 17 hours a week of

behavioral therapy, the boy, who was once unresponsive to other children

and engaged in self-destructive behavior, may enter a mainstream

kindergarten class next year, his mother said. " What if he has to be

re-evaluated? If the criteria were stricter, he might not get these

services that have been helping him so much. " ....

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