Asperger’s, ‘Mental Retardation’ Likely History In Revised DSM

// February 10th, 2010 // News That Affects You

“Intellectual disability” would replace “mental retardation” and Asperger’s syndrome would be folded into “autism spectrum disorders” under proposed changes to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders unveiled Wednesday.

The recommendations are among several sweeping changes psychiatric experts are calling for in the forthcoming fifth edition of the manual known as the DSM, which is expected in May 2013. The DSM serves as the bible for mental health professionals, researchers and insurers as it determines what symptoms are worthy of an official diagnosis. The current edition was released in 1994.

The American Psychiatric Association, which publishes the DSM, is accepting public comment on the proposed changes until April 20 online.

Experts recommend in the draft manual that the term “mental retardation” be eliminated in favor of “intellectual disability,” bringing medical terminology in line with language already used by many governmental and educational institutions. The diagnosis would also gain a broader definition, by encompassing adaptive functioning in addition to IQ . Read More: http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2010/02/10/dsm-proposal/6960/