The new edition, by contrast, will list not only the core issues that characterize a given diagnosis but also an array of other health problems that commonly accompany the disorder. For autism, this would most likely include anxiety, attention disorders, gastrointestinal problems, seizures, and sensory differences like extreme sensitivity to noise."

This may be good news to some individuals such as my son who not only has autism but extreme symptoms of ADHD, and all those related conditions listed above.  The question in my mind is will the new diagnostic criteria for some of these disorders and conditions provoke change for the better or worse as far as things such as insurance coverage for treatment?  Will these revisions clarify some diagnostic criteria so we are neither over diagnosing nor under diagnosing individuals?  Will the changes in wording promote better acceptance of these disorders in the general community?

Time will be the measure of the success for these potential changes.  

What are your thoughts on the proposed revisions to the DSM?  Do you feel they will hurt or help?  Express yourself here.  We want to hear what you have to say!

References

The American Psychiatric Association DSM-5 Development  

Wallis C (2009) A Powerful Identity, a Vanishing Diagnosis. New York Times, November 2, 2009