The Diagnosis of Autism: From Kanner to DSM-III to DSM-5 and Beyond

Nicole E Rosen; Catherine Lord; Fred R Volkmar

doi:10.1007/s10803-021-04904-1

The Diagnosis of Autism: From Kanner to DSM-III to DSM-5 and Beyond

J Autism Dev Disord. 2021 Dec;51(12):4253-4270. doi: 10.1007/s10803-021-04904-1. Epub 2021 Feb 24.

Authors

Nicole E Rosen¹, Catherine Lord², Fred R Volkmar^{3

4}

Affiliations

¹ University of California, Los Angeles, USA. nrosen@mednet.ucla.edu.
² University of California, Los Angeles, USA.
³ Yale University, New Haven, USA.
⁴ Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, USA.

Abstract

In this paper we review the impact of DSM-III and its successors on the field of autism-both in terms of clinical work and research. We summarize the events leading up to the inclusion of autism as a "new" official diagnostic category in DSM-III, the subsequent revisions of the DSM, and the impact of the official recognition of autism on research. We discuss the uses of categorical vs. dimensional approaches and the continuing tensions around broad vs. narrow views of autism. We also note some areas of current controversy and directions for the future.

Keywords: Autism; Categorical; DSM; Dimensional; History.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Autism Spectrum Disorder* / diagnosis
Autistic Disorder* / diagnosis
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
Humans
Recognition, Psychology

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding