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    View and Comment on Recently Proposed Changes to DSM-5-TR

    The following proposal was approved by the DSM Steering Committee. The 30-day public comment period is now closed.

    Clarification of Criterion A and Criterion B Severity Specifiers for Autism Spectrum Disorder

    Description of Proposed Change

    The proposed changes will clarify the use of severity specifiers for autism spectrum disorder. The specifiers for Criterion A (social communication and social interaction) and Criterion B (restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior) are intended to be coded separately, and not as a single entity.

    Background to the Proposal

    The DSM Steering Committee received a query from a clinician seeking clarification on the use of autism spectrum disorder severity specifiers for Criteria A and B in DSM-5-TR, and whether the severity should be coded separately for each criterion. These edits are intended to provide clarity of usage and consistency in guidance across DSM-5-TR that aligns with DSM-5, as well as promote uniform guidance across DSM-5-TR.

    The DSM Steering Committee recommends the following proposed modifications:

    DSM-5-TR Classification excerpt, proposed edits, p. xxviii

    Autism Spectrum Disorder (56)

    F84.0 Autism Spectrum Disorder (56)

    • Specify current severity separately for social communication impairments (Criterion A) and for restricted, repetitive behaviors (Criterion B): Requiring very substantial support, Requiring substantial support, Requiring support
    • Specify if: With or without accompanying intellectual impairment, With or without accompanying language impairment
    • Specify if: Associated with a known genetic or other medical condition or environmental factor (Coding note: Use additional code to identify the associated genetic or other medical condition); Associated with a neurodevelopmental, mental, or behavioral problem
    • Specify if: With catatonia (use additional code F06.1)

    DSM-5-TR Autism Spectrum Disorder criteria, severity specifiers excerpt, proposed edits, p. 57

    Specify current severity separately for based on social communication impairments (Criterion A) and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior (Criterion B) (see Table 2):

    • Requiring very substantial support
    • Requiring substantial support
    • Requiring support

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