Important: DSM-5 Revision of the Diagnostic Criteria for Autism
The DSM-5-TR, to be released on Amazon on March 18, 2022, presents revised diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder that makes diagnosis less accessible, especially for people who present with less support needs and less outwardly expressed symptoms of social and sensory impairment. The revisions to these criteria refute current research on female, nonbinary, and non-white autistic populations; these revisions seek to gatekeep proper diagnosis, continue the spread of misinformation about autistic people, and consequently will block thousands of people from receiving affirming, life-saving treatment.
Per a recent podcast, the co-chair of the DSM revision, Dr. Michael B. First, stated that the more conservative criteria seeks to reduce the prevalence rate of autism diagnoses, because being "on the spectrum" is overdiagnosed and has become too culturally prevalent. Dr. First gives zero regard to any current research—research that seeks to validate the experiences of people with all levels of support needs—people from all communities, races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, ability levels, and socioeconomic statuses who fall on the autism spectrum.
Sources:
https://www.neurodivergence.org/post/our-passion-for-dsm-5-revision-of-the-diagnostic-criteria-for-autism
To learn more:
https://www.neurodivergence.org/post/dsm-5-tr-podcast-therapy-reimaged
erectile-disgruntlement
