NY Times: As Specialists Debate Autism, Some Parents Watch Closely - NYT

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http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/21/us/as-specialists-debate-autism-some-parents-watch-closely.htmlA Specialists’ Debate on Autism Has Many Worried ObserversBy AMY HARMONA 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.” ....