Now there is autism spectrum and then there are all the syndromes like
Fragile X, Smith-Magenis syndrome, Angelman syndrome and I am sure
there are several more that are very very simular to autism. It makes me
think that autism itself is just kind of a trash-can term for a different
number of syndromes that have not yet been discovered. It seems like
there are several subtypes in autism and I wonder if those just point to
which groups of genes are involved - like some of our kids have seizures
or big heads (mine!) or small heads ....I hope with gene mapping they find
out more because with that might also come increased insight into the
best treatment options since some kids seem to respond very well to
interventions and some very little.
I guess that would make autism a syndrome instead of a disorder and
give it a more neurological/medical bend than it currently has. Autism
spectrum might even get it kicked out of the DSM.
What do you think? Would that be a good thing?
I think you are right ... not sure getting it kicked out of DSM would be good, nor would it happen anytime soon.
For one thing, the behavioral approaches would pretty much stay the same.
Well, making it a syndrome makes it less likely for insurance companies to cover it, is my understanding. Also, kicking it out of the DSM would as well. Only if it is still counted as an ICD-9 (or 10) code would that make a difference.
I would like to see it considered a neurological disorder as opposed to a psychological disorder, for what it's worth.
I recently found out that Fragile X wasn't discovered until the early 1990s, and is now considered the most common form of inherited retardation (Down is genetic but not inherited, I assume). Fragile X also includes autistic symptoms, like you said.
It will not surprise me if they discover various new syndromes in the near future.