Standardized, interactive tests to diagnose autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and new diagnostic criteria in DSM-5

Agnieszka Rynkiewicz; Marta Kulik

Vol 10, No 2 (2013)

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Standardized, interactive tests to diagnose autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and new diagnostic criteria in DSM-5

Agnieszka Rynkiewicz, Marta Kulik

Psychiatria 2013;10(2):41-48.

Vol 10, No 2 (2013)

Prace poglądowe - nadesłane

Abstract

In May 2013, the American Psychiatric Association, APA released the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the fifth edition, DSM-5. The big changes to the new criteria of ASD in DSM-5 have been implemented. Also the standardized, interactive tests from the diagnostic “gold standard” have been revised. In DSM-5 all previously existing diagnosis of DSM-IV under Pervasive Developmental Disorders were merged into one diagnosis called Autism Spectrum Disorder, ASD. The term “spectrum” reflects both the differences within the ASD group itself in regards to the symptoms but also reflects continuum between general population and ASD group. DSM-IV and DSM-5 criteria were compared in research according to their sensitivity and specificity. The results of the study showed higher specificity of DSM-5 criteria which means less false positive diagnoses. However some of the patients who received ASD diagnosis based on DSM-IV criteria do not meet the current criteria of DSM-5. Due to the recent big changes to ASD criteria and also within the standardized, interactive diagnostic tests for ASD it seems important to provide and publish reliable facts and knowledge on it to the professionals, especially in the countries, Poland included, where these tests are being currently introduced.