DC:0-3 vs. DSM-IV | Autism PDD

The DSM IV and the DC:0-3 aren't really tests, but diagnostic criteria. The DSM IV stands for "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fourth Edition", and is a book of diagnostic criteria for psychiatric disorders, and is published by the American Psychiatric Association.

"Mental Health Professionals use this manual when working with patients in order to better understand their illness and potential treatment and to help 3rd party payers (e.g., insurance) understand the needs of the patient. The book is typically considered the ‘bible’ for any professional who makes psychiatric diagnoses in the United States and many other countries." http://allpsych.com/disorders/dsm.html

To be diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder aka Pervasive Developmental Disorder, an individual must fit the criteria for the disorder set forth in the DSM IV. You can read the criteria for ASD/PDD here: http://allpsych.com/disorders/dsm.html

The DC:03 is new to me, but after doing some searching on the internet, it seems that it is another set of diagnostic criteria for mental illnesses specifically for children 0-3 years old. http://www.zerotothree.org/imh/crosswalk.html

Both the DSM IV and the DC:03 generate the ICD-9 codes which are necessary for insurance billing. The ICD-9 (International Classification of Diseases, 9th Edition) is another manual that lists all the codes for medical diagnoses and procedures which are needed for medical providers to get reimbursed by insurance companies. I believe the tenth edition of the ICD is now available so you may see these codes referred to as ICD-10 codes.

The ADI-R (Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised) is a diagnostic instrument used to assess whether a child fits the criteria set forth in the DSM-IV. It is done by interviewing the parent/caregiver. http://www.agre.org/program/aboutadi.cfm?do=program

"The Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) is a clinical diagnostic instrument for assessing autism in children and adults. The ADI-R provides a diagnostic algorithm for autism as described in both the ICD-10 and DSM-V. The instrument focuses on behavior in three main areas: qualities of reciprocal social interaction; communication and language; and restricted and repetitive, stereotyped interests and behaviors."

gabu38522.7698611111Hi, I have been lurking for a long time and haven't been ready to post. First let me introduce myself. My name is Kellie and I have a 2 1/2 year-old son named Jagger who was diagnosed ASD in November. We started OT and ST and he has improved. I was not willing to mess around with this diagnosis so we took him to NYC to be evaluated at Columbia University.

They used the ADI-R, DSM-IV, and DC:0-3 (zero to three) for testing. When we were there, they were so comfident that Jagger was not on the spetrum at all. We were thrilled. There had been a lot of improvement since November. We were there for 4 days and had a phone conference in May. During the phone conference they said the same thing. Jagger has some regulatory issues among other things.

We got the final report in the mail on Friday and the diagnosis was PDD-NOS. WHAT? After pouring over this report it seems that Jagger does not qualify through the DC:0-3, but on the other tests he does.

Does anyone know the difference between all these tests. Why is it yes on two tests and no on one?

HELP!

Kellie

Kellie,

First of all welcome to the board. I have a 3 yr old son with Pdd-Nos. My son was diagnosed this past March at the autism division in Charleston SC. My son also came up having different results on each of the testings. On one test called the CARS....he tested as having mild autism. The others he made the critera for PDD-Nos. I was told that all the other test that were taken were used in conjunction with the DSM-IV to get his diagnosis. The DSM-IV is what they use to get the actual diagnosis though. I was told the other tests are just tools to help them with the DSM-IV. So this may be the reason that your son got the diagnosis that he did. Take care and WELCOME!!!

Karrie

hi kellie welcome to the board

sorry i cant help with names and differences with the tests (slightly diff here in the uk ) but i am sure there will be some peeps here that can help xx

The dc 0-3 is used in conjunction with the DSM. And I believe the DSM is the overriding factor. I know with my kids one has autism/pdd-nos, along with other issues. And the other has pdd-nos, along with other dx's too.