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Autism Diagnosis Today (4): Late Diagnosis
In recent years, increasing attention has been devoted to the phenomenon of autism diagnosis in adolescence and adulthood . Waiting lists for assessment have grown rapidly. In England, for example, the average waiting time for an autism diagnosis reached 300 days , substantially exceeding the 91-day target recommended by NICE (Fagg & Woodhead 2023). The rising demand for assessment reflects a broader shift in public awareness and clinical practice. Public discussion often pre
Mar 1210 min read
![The 5th edition, published in 2013, set out to simplify and modernise the nosology of autism-related disorders, replacing the DSM-IV’s cluster of Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDDs) — Autistic Disorder, Asperger’s Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, Rett’s Disorder[1] and PDD-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) — with a single diagnosis: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The intent was, in principle, laudable: a spectrum captures gradation and avoids splits between “high-” and “low-functioning” labels. In practice, DSM-5 produced a conceptual flattening by collapsing important distinctions and introduced criteria so under-specified they undermine diagnostic coherence – creating a set of internal contradictions that have done more to muddy than to clarify diagnosis.](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/904f97_7ed4d390f69f44a3bee34406e457dba0~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_1332,h_1000,fp_0.50_0.50,q_35,blur_30,enc_avif,quality_auto/904f97_7ed4d390f69f44a3bee34406e457dba0~mv2.png)
![The 5th edition, published in 2013, set out to simplify and modernise the nosology of autism-related disorders, replacing the DSM-IV’s cluster of Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDDs) — Autistic Disorder, Asperger’s Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, Rett’s Disorder[1] and PDD-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) — with a single diagnosis: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The intent was, in principle, laudable: a spectrum captures gradation and avoids splits between “high-” and “low-functioning” labels. In practice, DSM-5 produced a conceptual flattening by collapsing important distinctions and introduced criteria so under-specified they undermine diagnostic coherence – creating a set of internal contradictions that have done more to muddy than to clarify diagnosis.](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/904f97_7ed4d390f69f44a3bee34406e457dba0~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_1364,h_1024,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_avif,quality_auto/904f97_7ed4d390f69f44a3bee34406e457dba0~mv2.png)
When a Spectrum Becomes a Vacuum: How DSM-5 Broke Autism Diagnosis and Fed a Diagnostic Epidemic
A Simplification That Simplifies Nothing The 5 th edition, published in 2013, set out to simplify and modernise the nosology of autism-related disorders, replacing the DSM-IV’s cluster of Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDDs) — Autistic Disorder, Asperger’s Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, Rett’s Disorder [ 1 ] and PDD-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) — with a single diagnosis: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The intent was, in principle, laudable: a spectrum
Nov 23, 20258 min read
Autism Diagnosis Today (1): Overdiagnosis
Autism has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent decades. Once thought of as a rare and narrowly defined childhood condition,...
Aug 20, 20255 min read
Many Faces of Narcissism (2):
More Subtypes in the Narcissism Spectrum The Narcissism Spectrum model successfully integrates the most renowned forms of narcissism...
Jun 7, 20242 min read
Narcissistic Personality Disorder & Autism (4):
Hypersensitive Narcissism and Hypersensitivity in ASD
May 24, 20244 min read
Narcissistic Personality Disorder and Autism (2):
Challenges in diagnosing Diagnosing Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) can be difficult as individuals with this disorder often resist admitting any flaws or seeking help. Their inflated ego and lack of insight into their behaviour can make diagnosis a challenge. On the other hand, diagnosing ASD can be complex due to its wide range of symptoms, varying presentations, and overlaps with other conditions. ASDs without intellectual disability are often diagnosed late in lif
Apr 17, 20244 min read
Narcissistic Personality Disorder and Autism (1):
Overlapping symptoms and differences Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) and ASD are two distinct condition. However, they share certain symptomatology that can lead to difficulties in differentiating between the two. NPD Note : The term "narcissism" comes from the Greek myth of Narcissus, a guy who fell in love with his own reflection in a pool of water. While the concept has been around for centuries, it wasn't officially recognized as a personality disorder until the 2
Mar 21, 20246 min read
Personality Disorders and Autism (1):
Is there a hidden connection? Personality Disorders (PDs) and ASDs are distinct yet interconnected psychiatric disorders/ psychological conditions. Despite fundamental differences in their symptomatology and diagnostic criteria, both disorders share certain overlapping characteristics. Firstly, it is important to establish the defining features of PDs and ASDs. Personality Disorders are characterised by enduring patterns of thoughts, emotions, and inflexible, maladaptive, o
Feb 17, 20247 min read
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