Changes in the DSM-5
The Diagnostic Statistical Manual is a handbook utilized by clinicians and psychiatrists to diagnose people with mental health disorders. The handbook lists the specific criteria to be given a specific diagnosis. The DSM-5 was released in 2013. The DSM-5-TR (text revision) was released in March 2022. Two changes are significant to our system. These include those related to intellectual disability and autism.
Intellectual disability has been changed to Intellectual Developmental Disorder so that it aligns more closely with the World Health Organizations definition. It also explains that Intellectual Developmental Disorder is not solely defined by IQ but still would not be an appropriate diagnosis for someone with a higher IQ. The new text revision offers clarity and consistency on intellectual disability.
A change that is important to note surrounds Autism. It looks at relatable behaviors that are not to the level of a separate diagnosis. An example given by Disability Scoop is self-injury.
According to Disability Scoop the update is as follows: “Instead of “associated with another neurodevelopmental, mental, or behavioral disorder,” it now reads, “associated with a neurodevelopmental, mental or behavioral problem.”
An additional change looks at potential misunderstandings of the diagnostic criteria. The DSM-5 required an autism diagnosis to include “persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts, as manifested by the following: deficits in social-emotional reciprocity, in nonverbal communicative behaviors used for social interaction, and in developing, maintaining and understanding relationships.” The DSM-5-TR changes the diagnostic criteria to read “as manifested by all of the following.” to eliminate confusion over the inclusion of one, two, or three of the deficits.
The American Psychiatric Association notes that these changes should not affect insurance coverage or current diagnosis. Any questions should be directed to your treating physician.
