The DSM-5 autism group has been blinded by an intellectual conflict of interest. Eager to introduce its concept of an autism spectrum, the group lost sight of a crucial and obvious fact: Its proposed criteria set is written so exclusively that it must inevitably reduce the diagnosis of autism.

In the DSM-5, we propose a new way of looking at these disorders, merging them into a single diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. We believe this will create more accurate diagnoses and improved access to services. It should also improve research into ASD.

We have to petition a judge to take away Mia's rights as an adult so that we can make her medical, legal and financial decisions because thanks to her autism, she is not able to make safe choices for herself.

Scientific journals' tendency to favor studies with positive test results may have skewed the understanding of how effective antidepressants actually ...

In about half of the states in this country, insurance companies can explicitly exclude coverage of critical, medically-necessary therapies and other medical services for kids with autism.

These issues are not hot-button, provocative or headline-grabbing, but with 1 in 110 children affected by autism (and rising), they desperately need more attention.

According to the Center for Disease Control in 2007, autism affects 1 out of every 150 children, up from 1 out of every 10,000 in 1980.