The American Psychiatric Association (www.psych.org) this week announced that in its latest diagnostic guide of mental disorders—the Diagnostics and Statistical Manual, or DSM—Asperger's syndrome is no longer listed as a separate diagnosis, but rather falls along the autism spectrum. (You can find a draft of the DSM 5 here). The move is intended to make diagnosis of autism clearer, but it has upset a number of people who have been diagnosed with Asperger's, many of whom reject being labeled as autistic.
Having attended a meeting of the Arkansas Legislative Task Force on Autism in November 2009, I know there are parents and health care professionals in Arkansas frustrated by the lack of available resources and support for those living with autism and those working to diagnose and treat the disorder. There are nearly 2,500 children under the age of 10 in our state who have been diagnosed with a form of autism, care and treatment for which will cost an estimated $7.8 billion over the course of their lives. Many families can’t afford treatment.
There are nearly 2,500 children under the age of 10 in our state who have been diagnosed with a form of autism, care and treatment for which will cost an estimated $7.8 billion over the course of their lives.
In 2009, the Arkansas Senate passed SB 913, a bill sponsored by Sen. Mary Anne Salmon (D-AR31) that requires health benefit plans to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders. The bill also prohibits insurers from terminating or refusing coverage solely because a person is diagnosed with an autism disorder. The House did not vote on the bill, which met significant opposition from insurance companies and the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce.
Senate Bill 913 is meant to improve the lives of those living with autism in our state. I believe it is important that it pass.
I believe it is important, too, that the work of the task force, led by Sen. Salmon and Rep. Uvalde Lindsey (D-AR88), continue so as to improve the lives of those living with autism and to better equip those working to diagnose and treat the disorder.
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