DSM-V

DSM-V and How it Affects the Diagnosis of Asperger’s Disorder

DSM-VMany of the participants at OPI come to us because they struggle with difficulties in communication and social interactions. They may have a prior diagnosis of a Pervasive Developmental Disorder such as Asperger’s Disorder.

In the previous edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), the main diagnostic criteria of Asperger’s Disorder included a “qualitative impairment in social interaction and restricted, repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, and activities.” These deficiencies and patterns caused “clinically significant impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of functioning.”

In the new DSM-V, the diagnosis of Asperger’s Disorder no longer exists and has been absorbed into the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). There is also a new diagnosis called Social (Pragmatic) Communication Disorder (SCD), which falls under the category of Communication Disorders and may serve as an alternative diagnosis for someone with Asperger’s-like symptoms.

ASD is the “persistent impairment in reciprocal social communication and social interaction, AND restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests or activities.” The symptoms and behaviors must be present from early childhood and negatively impact everyday functioning. According to the American Psychiatric Association, “the symptoms of people with Autistic Spectrum Disorder will fall on a continuum, with some individuals showing mild symptoms and others having much more severe symptoms.”

SCD is “characterized by a primary difficulty with pragmatics, or the social use of language and communication, as manifested by deficits in understanding and following social rules of verbal and non-verbal communication in naturalistic contexts, changing language according to the needs of the listener or situation and following rules for conversations and story-telling.”

A person diagnosed with SCD has difficulty with “effective communication and social participation, development of social relationships, academic achievement, or occupational performance.” These difficulties cannot be due to low cognitive ability.

While symptoms must be present from early childhood for both ASD and SCD, the DSM-V acknowledges that those symptoms may not be recognized until later, when a person with these limitations is faced with increased social demands.

In doing a differential diagnosis, the key difference between the two similar disorders is that Autism Spectrum Disorder includes “restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests or activities and gives equal weight to both communication issues and repetitive behaviors.”

A person with ASD may have only exhibited these restricted, repetitive patterns during the early developmental period. It is imperative that a comprehensive history be obtained because any evidence of restricted/repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities in addition to the communication difficulties would lead to a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder, rather than Social (Pragmatic) Communication Disorder.


About DSM-V

You might have heard of DSM-V if you have a child or young adult in your life suffering from autism. It is the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, released by the American Psychiatric Association, and acts as a universal authoritative tool in diagnostics in the US. In addition to establishing diagnostic criteria, the DSM-V also provides recommendations for treatment and even payment for treatment.

The preceding manual was published in 2000, and this newer edition contains notable changes, some of which apply to Asperger’s syndrome. DSM-V has dropped Asperger’s syndrome as a distinct classification. This edition has been the subject of much controversy, and a petition requesting the outside review of the DSM-V has been signed by many and sponsored by mental health organizations across the country.

Who Determines What Is in It?

The American Psychiatric Association ultimately decides what is in the DSM-V. However, required signing of nondisclosure agreements for those who worked on the project has amounted to suspicion that other key players in the industry, like pharmaceutical companies, might have also had a say in the content of the DSM-V.

How Often Is It Updated?

The first edition of the DSM was published in 1952. There was little change between DSM-I and DSM-II. DSM-III was published in 1980. A revised version of DSM-III, known as DSM-III R, was published in 1987. DSM-IV was published in 1994 and a revised version, DSM-IV-TR was published in 2000. DSM-V is the first published release since then.

Who Uses It and for What?

DSM-V has been designed for use across all clinical spectrums of the mental health industry. This manual is the go-to manual for psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, counselors, doctors, nurses, rehabilitation professionals, and all other types of licensed therapists. Researchers also use the DSM-V.

These industry leaders use the DSM-V to accurately diagnose and treat their patients who suffer from mental health disorders and illnesses. The DSM-V is used in many programs and treatment centers across the country, including both inpatient and outpatient facilities. It is a reference for treating people of any age, including young adults.

About Asperger’s Disorder

Asperger’s syndrome is a disorder that is a part of the autism spectrum disorder group. The disorder is marked by social interaction and verbal difficulties, as well as difficulties with nonverbal communication. Repetitive and restrictive patterns are often seen in the behavior of those who suffer from Asperger’s. Those with Asperger disorder often have a lack of cognitive empathy, which affects most areas of life for the individual.

The DSM-V removed Asperger’s disorder as its own distinct classification and replaced it with a general diagnosis of scalable severity of autism spectrum disorder. The exact cause of Asperger’s disorder is not yet known, but it is often discussed and has been the subject of much controversy, especially in the media. Current estimates claim that one in 500 people has Asperger’s.

About Autism

At its root, autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder. Difficulties with social interactions as well as both verbal and nonverbal communication skills are characterizing qualities of autism. Repetitive and restrictive behaviors also help to characterize an individual who has autism. Although it is not yet established what causes autism, researchers have been able to find certain environmental links that might shine a light on risk factors for the development of autism. However, autism also has a strong genetic component.

The first signs of autism are normally noticed with the first two years of a child’s life. A delay in language development is usually one of the first red flags that prompts further investigation. The number of children and young adults who are diagnosed with autism today appears to be increasing, but researchers do not yet know whether the numbers are authentically increasing or if the rising number of cases is due to an increased knowledge of autism on behalf of both parents and health care providers.

About Social (Pragmatic) Communication Disorder (SCD)

Social (pragmatic) communication disorder (SCD) is a new element of DSM-V. SCD is meant to help identify and treat individuals who have problems with communication, social interaction, and academic and occupational performance. One of the goals of establishing SCD is to distinguish individuals with SCD from those with autism.

While autism is characterized by many of the same communication and social difficulties as SCD, autism is also characterized by repetitive and restrictive behaviors where SCD is not. The belief is that many individuals have received inconsistent care from treatment programs and centers across the country for SCD symptoms and that they were often clumped beneath the autism category when they should not have been.