In this article, you will find information on old diagnostic criteria for autistic disorder, pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), and Asperger’s syndrome from the DSM-IV. Notably, in 2013, the The American Psychiatric Association (APA) consolidated these three diagnoses under one diagnosis of “autism spectrum disorder” in the DSM-5. For information about the current diagnostic criteria for autism, please click […]
Tag: diagnosis
I Think My Child May Have Autism
If you think your child has autism or your child is showing signs or symptoms of autism, it is important to have them screened. The sooner your child receives a diagnosis, the sooner they can begin needed services which can improve their outcome and quality of life. This article will give you information about the […]
Grandparents Must Be Part of the Journey
Author: Chuck Kern, TACA Grandfather When my son announced that he was naming his second son, Charlie, after me, I was very humbled and overwhelmed with pride. “Charles” has been an important name in our family tree. But many months later, my emotions turned to deep anxiety and fear when I realized that Charlie did […]
Autism Groups React to New CDC-Reported Prevalence of 1 in 68 Children
WASHINGTON, DC (March 27, 2014)—Today, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued the newest autism prevalence statistics. For children born in 2002, the prevalence of autism was 1 in 68; 1 in 42 boys. Almost 60,000 US 12 year-olds likely have autism.
Diagnostic Criteria for Autism
Only a well-qualified, trained medical professional can issue an autism diagnosis. When determining whether or not a person has autism, professionals look to see if they meet specific diagnosis criteria outlined in The American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). If your child is showing signs of autism and you need to […]
The Controversial DSM-5 has been released: How to safeguard your child’s services
I’ve been writing about the DSM-5 for over 18 months now but it’s officially published now, released into the wild, as it were. Too bad no one likes it, except those who are going to financially benefit from it. Background, in a nutshell The new DSM removes Asperger’s Syndrome, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, PDD and Retts […]
Denial: When it helps, When it hurts
A parent’s guide to moving from denial to hope. By Holly Bortfeld Denial isn’t just a river in Egypt; it’s what a lot of parents cling to. It’s time to come to terms with the term, or diagnosis – AUTISM. “My child has PDD or PDD-NOS, not autism”. I hate to break it to you […]
Child Newly Diagnosed with Autism
When your child is newly diagnosed with autism, it can feel overwhelming and confusing. To help you navigate the first steps of your autism journey, this article provides an overview of the following key autism topics: Therapy Medical Issues School Requesting an Evaluation Educational Diagnosis vs. Medical Diagnosis Home Life Safety State Disability Waiver Programs […]