Diagnosis of autism: Use of autistic spectrum shows undisciplined thinking

doi:10.1136/bmj.328.7433.226-b

BMJ 2004;328:226 (24 January), doi:10.1136/bmj.328.7433.226-b

Letter

Diagnosis of autism

Use of autistic spectrum shows undisciplined thinking

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

EDITOR—The use by Baird et al in their clinical reviewof the diagnosis "autism" and "autistic spectrum disorders"confuses me.¹ The authors list five outcomes in box 8 that indicatethe success of therapeutic and teaching interventions and mayhelp us to comprehend what is the cardinal feature of autism:normal use of verbal language, some use of verbal language fora range of purposes, some functional use of language, abilityto use an alternative system of communication, the child's idiosyncraticcommunication is better understood.

In each of these five successful outcomes for autism is oneconstant thread—the abnormal use of language for communication.I suggest that autism is none other than this—as opposedto the delayed development of speech. If that is so, then wedo not need a spectrum any more than we need an asthmatic spectrumor a diabetic spectrum.

The diagnosing clinician must decide . . . [Full text of this article]

P V Finn Cosgrove, consultant all-age psychiatrist

Bristol Priority Clinic, Bath BA2 5YD bristolpriorityclinic@btopenworld.com