[Source:  Disability Scoop]
Major changes to the diagnostic criteria for autism and other conditions are on track to take effect after the nation’s psychiatrists gave final approval to a new version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders this weekend.
The American Psychiatric Association’s board of trustees gave a green light Saturday to the DSM’s fifth version, paving the way for the manual’s publication in May 2013 after more than a decade of consideration.
Full details on the final changes approved by the organization are not expected to be available until the completed DSM is made public.
However, officials did confirm that one of the most controversial proposals calling for autistic disorder, Asperger’s disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder and pervasive developmental disorder, not otherwise specified to be folded under the label “autism spectrum disorder” did get approved. The organization said the change will “help more accurately and consistently diagnose children with autism.”
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