What is the Difference Between DSM IV and DSM V Autism?

The main differences between the DSM-IV and DSM-5 autism criteria are:

1. Elimination of PDD and its subtypes: DSM-5 eliminated the Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD) category and its five subtypes, including autistic disorder, Asperger syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS), Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, and Rett Syndrome.
2. Creation of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): DSM-5 introduced a new diagnostic category called ASD, which is adapted to the individual's clinical presentation by inclusion of clinical specifiers and associated features.
3. Merging of social and language deficits: The DSM-5 combined the social and language deficits defined in the DSM-IV into a single domain, reducing the three domains of the DSM-IV to two in DSM-5.
4. Lower prevalence of ASD: Evaluations of DSM-5 versus DSM-IV ASD criteria demonstrate a lower overall prevalence of ASD using DSM-5 criteria, but greater agreement among clinicians.
5. Transition from DSM-IV to DSM-5: Studies have shown that more than 90% of individuals with a DSM-IV PDD diagnosis will have a DSM-5 ASD diagnosis. However, some individuals previously diagnosed with DSM-IV PDD-NOS may no longer meet ASD criteria.

Overall, the changes in the DSM-5 aimed to improve the clarity and consistency of diagnosing autism spectrum disorders, while also reducing the complexity of the diagnostic process.

Comparative Table: DSM IV vs DSM V Autism

The main differences between the DSM-IV and DSM-V criteria for autism can be summarized in the following table:

The DSM-V made significant changes to the diagnostic criteria for autism, including merging all diagnoses under the pervasive developmental disorders category into a single Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Additionally, it lowered the threshold for diagnosis by requiring only one characteristic out of the four specified criteria for diagnosis. These changes have led to a lower overall prevalence of ASD using DSM-5 criteria, but greater agreement within the clinical community.