III. Classification and Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder

Question 1

How did the DSM IV describe the classification of ASD?

Answer 1

there were 5 subtypes of PDD

1. autistic disorder
2. rett’s disorder
3. childhood disintegrative disorder
4. pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified
5. asperger’s syndrome

Question 2

How has the classification of ASD changed in the DSM-V?

Answer 2

• autism spectrum disorder
• no more subtypes
• severity levels 1, 2, 3 (1-require support, 2, require substantial suppport, 3-require VERY substantial support)
• if cause of a gene is know then it is not ASD
• rett’s disorder was removed
• social pragmatic communication disorder (this is different from asd because there is no cognitive delay, no restrictive/repetitive interests–replacing pdd-nos)
• Asperger’s now HFA

Question 3

What does DSM stand for?

Answer 3

diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders