This systematic review of 12 empirical papers comparing the application of DSM-IV and DSM5 diagnostic criteria for ASD found consistent data across studies showing a median reduction of about a third. the second author also calculated these data separately for each group. Where data were reported for subgroups, such as individuals with autism, pervasive developmental disorders not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), Asperger syndrome, higher functioning ASD, etc. The percentage change in the proportion of individuals with ASD was calculated by subtracting the number of individuals with DSM-IV ASD from the number of individuals with DSM5 ASD and expressing it as a percentage of the number of individuals with DSM-IV ASD.

The authors then identified or calculated the percentage change in the proportion of individuals who met diagnostic criteria for ASD. Studies using method 2 compared diagnostic criteria in homogenous populations of individuals who had or were very likely to have ASD, such as studies of individuals all of whom met DSM-IV or clinical criteria for ASD who were subsequently evaluated for DSM5 ASD. Studies using method 1 compared diagnostic criteria in heterogeneous populations, such as large samples of individuals who may have ASD or clinic samples of individuals who may or may not have a variety of disorders, including ASD who were subsequently evaluated for DSM-IV and DSM5 ASD. The second author then tabulated features of the retained studies including sample characteristics and methods and instruments used for diagnosis. Twelve articles that met the inclusion criterion were retained. This search located an additional two articles of which one met inclusion criteria. On 6 December 2013, the first author additionally searched PubMed© and Google Scholar© using the terms “Autism” AND “DSM5”. ( 2012) was excluded since although, this study’s abstract reported a reduction of 9 % in the number of child diagnosed with DSM5 autism, the basis for the calculation was unclear. Finally, the second author categorized the 27 empirical articles into those that (a) directly compared DSM-IV and DSM5 criteria (b) evaluated the psychometric properties of DSM5 criteria, such as specificity and specificity and (c) other empirical studies. These searches yielded 56 non-overlapping articles of which 27 reported data and 29 did not. This search identified 24 articles that met criteria. On 29 July 2013, the second author searched Google Scholar© for all articles that cited these 32 articles that also met the inclusion criteria. These searches yielded 32 non-overlapping articles that met inclusion criteria. The second search identified 436 articles of which 19 articles met inclusion criteria. On 15 July 2013, the second author gathered studies using the terms “Autism AND DSM 5 AND DSM 4” on PschINFO©. The search identified 995 articles of which 13 studies met inclusion criteria. Articles that reported sensitivity and specificity, factor analytic studies, reviews, and editorials were excluded. The inclusion criterion was that the article had to compare DSM-IV and DSM5 diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorders empirically. On 24 June 2013, the second author searched PschINFO© using the keywords “Autism” and “DSM 5”.

Is asd in the dsm 5