A split in the spectrum? The ongoing battle to define autism

Autism researchers and clinicians disagree on whether a single diagnostic category should encompass the range of presentations currently classified as autism spectrum disorder. The debate centers on whether grouping individuals with widely varying support needs, communication abilities, and symptom severity under one diagnosis reflects clinical reality or obscures meaningful distinctions between different conditions. Diagnostic frameworks, including the DSM-5, currently use a single autism spectrum diagnosis with support level classifications, while some clinicians argue separate diagnostic categories would better serve patients and guide treatment decisions.

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