The DSM5  autism do-over, the New Autism Spectrum Disorder, will come into effect in 2013.  There is a further opportunity to offer public comment about the radical changes being forced upon the public but the DSM5 committees who have shaped the New ASD in the image of their own research biases have shown no inclination to acknowledge the merits of any of the many criticisms of their handiwork. It does not matter whether the criticism comes from expert professionals involved with shaping previous editions of the DSM (Fancis, Volkmar)  or a stumbling, ignorant, hysterical father (moi) of a severely autistic son who has lived first hand, 24/7 for 16 years,  with the realities of severe autism and who objects to the targeting of the intellectually disabled for exclusion from the New ASD. No matter the source the  DSM5 team has not flinched and has not deviated from their own research biased views of autism.  (The DSM5 team swears that the New ASD reflects solid autism research. DSM5 autism team member Catherine Lord though  has acknowledged that autism research tends to excluded those with intellectually disability  while also confessing that the real aim of the New ASD is to exclude those same intellectually disabled from autism diagnoses.) The biggest flaw is not the possible exclusion of some at the highest functioning end of the spectrum or the likely exclusion of many with intellectual disabilities.  It is the combining of disparate disorders into one.

The biggest flaw of the new DSM5 is the combining of the many autism disorders into one disorder when even the most ignorant, ill informed and irrational of persons dealing with autism ... parents ... can see that there are huge differences between those who  have fashioned careers as public spokespersons for all persons with autism and those who can not function in daily life.  

Ari Ne'eman is an intelligent, eloquent university graduate comfortable in discussing his vast knowledge of autism before assembled groups from the US to the UK.  This young man can hobnob with the intellectuals at the IACC, state and federal politicians in New Jersey and Washington and mainstream media representatives at the US National Press Club in Washington.  He appears to be very comfortable in front of media cameras. My son at 16 has accomplished much in terms of where he started but he is still working at a Dr. Seuss reading level, working with great effort to make a full sentence, lacks understanding of the world, engages in repetitive behavior that can end with self injurious behavior.

As a father of a low functioning autistic son I can not see the deficits that  resulted in an autism disorder for Mr. Ne'eman.  As an autism advocate who has worked with and met some higher functioning kids with Aspergers whose limitations are still noticeable I can not see those same limitations in Mr. Ne'eman. I do not believe that Mr. Ne'eman's professionally diagnosed autism disorder, or the autism disorders of the members of the corporate board oranized by the very high functioning Mr. Ne'eman have any similarity to my son's diagnosed Autistic Disorder or to those with Asperger's that I have met. Still Mr N. , like his ASAN board members presumably have diagnosed autism disorders. 

What is clear though is that Mr. Ne'eman's disorder is not the same autism disorder that I have seen in my real life, daily,  experiences as a father or as an autism advocate.  In the latter capacity I have met a number of persons with Aspergers whose diagnoses are clear to anyone who speaks with them but they are still different from my sons. They are also different from the severely autistic persons I have met on visits to psychiatric hospital facilities where they reside here in New Brunswick.

I am not suggesting that Ari Ne'eman does not have an "autism' disorder.  I am not qualified to say that and I recognize that and respect his professional diagnosis.  I am qualified, as an observant human being, to say that Mr. Ne'eman's challenges are not the same as my son or many others with Autism and Asperger's that I have met.  To me I see no signs whatsoever of a disorder of any kind in Mr. Ne'eman but again I realize I am not a qualified professional  and I assume that those who provided his diagnosis were capable professionals.  Mr Ne'eman's autism disorder though does not remotely resemble my son's or other persons I have met with autism and Asperger's disorders.

In the opinion of this humble dad the combining of the various autism disorders into one disorder is a fundamental flaw in the New Autism Spectrum Disorder. 

When I first pointed out that the DSM-5 New Autism Disorder would exclude intellectually disabled I was ignored by most, insulted and mocked by others.  Some were annoyed. When Catherine Lord confessed that the intellectually disabled were the real target for exclusion very few mentioned the exclusion of the intellectually disabled from the DSM-5 autism definition.  Certainly not the New York Times and other prominent Mainstream Media institutions that have wrung their hands over the possible exclusion of the very high functioning Autism ruling class.  

When Fred Volkmar, who kick started the current uproar over the possible exclusion of some with high functioning autism and Aspergers, mentioned in a Yale Daily News interview the possible DSM-5 exclusion of many of the intellectually disabled it did not merit any response from the MSM:

"In its next manual on mental disorders, the American Psychiatric Association plans to issue a single set of diagnostic criteria that will merge the four types of disorders on the autism spectrum, which include autism and Asperger syndrome. Although no current patient will be affected by the new rules, research by Yale Child Study Center Director Fred Volkmar suggests that the revision may disqualify a large number of intellectually disabled patients from receiving a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder in the future."  [Underlining added for emphasis - HLD]

The autism spectrum is not just a spectrum. It is a caste system with the intellectually disabled occupying the lowest rung unworthy of concern or comment from the mainstream media or feel good, autism is beautiful, Neurodiversity variety autism advocates.

But even when we are fairly optimistic about an individual child, he or she may not do well as an adult. This is one of the reasons those of us who have been in the field for a long time are very careful about predicting the future to parents. We can only talk, in general, about what on average are good or bad prognostic factors."

( Underlining added for the benefit of those who like to "Counter" any mention of severe autism realities)

The lack of services and resources for the severely autistic is a particularly offensive form of discrimination which sees those most in need of services receive the least help from society. The exclusion of low functioning autistic persons from autism services and resources stinks whatever the excuse offered.

The exclusion of severely autistic subjects from "autism" research is something I have previously noted.  The spate of recent fMRI studies mapping the alleged "autistic brain" have in fact been restricted to subjects with High Functioning Autism only. 

It is very encouraging to see this frank acknowledgement by two autism experts in the New York Times of the shortchanging of low functioning autistic persons that has been taking place.

It is most encouraging to read that the US federal government has identified severe autism research as a high priority  area in autism work.