Taking a fresh look at definition of autism - Harvard Gazette

""A wider public conversation has arisen over whether it's time for a shift in how we think about categories of autism, amid rising interest in the disorder across the country. For instance, some op-eds, written in recent weeks by parents and activists, argue the current definition of the condition as a unified spectrum comprising several subtypes is too broad, and the unique issues and intensive needs of the most severe cases get lost.""

""The concern is this is a reboot of that fight, with this 'profound autism' construct as a new vehicle for litigating fights about inclusion that took place a generation ago around intellectual disability," said Ne'eman, who was an adviser to the working group responsible for creating the umbrella term Autism Spectrum Disorder more than a dozen years ago.""

""I worry that the 'profound autism' construct is a political category designed to justify more segregated services, more than a scientific one - there is not really a clear reason to believe the different groups it combines belong in a distinct diagnosis," he said""

A public debate has emerged about rethinking autism categories as interest and concern about the condition rise. Some parents and activists argue that the unified spectrum definition is too broad and that the intensive needs of the most severe cases become obscured. Disability rights advocates warn that creating a distinct high-needs or 'profound autism' category could revive segregation and neglect. Critics contend such a category may be political rather than scientific, lacking clear justification for a separate diagnosis. Federal attention to rising autism rates has intensified the disagreement over classification and services.

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