DSM‑5 Merge Shifts Service Eligibility Debate

Collapsing separate pervasive developmental disorder categories into a single autism spectrum disorder centralizes diagnostic judgment and may change who qualifies for special education, insurance coverage, and public supports. Early evidence cited in the article suggests boundaries may not have shifted dramatically, but the lack of prospective comparisons means eligibility disputes and policy adjustments are likely to persist. — This matters because narrow changes in diagnostic language can cascade into large changes in school planning, healthcare spending, and disability policy.