More About New York Injuries

New Definition for Autism Sparks Intense Controversy among Doctors, Parents

Autism is a condition that strikes one out of every 88 children who are born in the United States and one out of every 54 boys.  Unfortunately, no one is sure what causes autism, and many different potential causes have been identified.  One that has involves mistakes made by the medical professionals who are supposed to oversee that birth.  In addition to the extreme prevalence of autism, parents whose children have obtained this diagnosis also understand that this is a lifelong condition that will require ongoing care and management.  Fortunately, there are services available for these children.

Unfortunately, a new definition of autism and what constitutes this condition is going to take effect in 2013, and this could leave a large number of children without access to programs that are meant to help them adapt and learn how to coexist in the world with others.  This new definition has sparked a very hot debate, and it could also only exacerbate the need for a family whose child has contracted autism because of a medical mistake to seek the help of New York birth injury lawyers.  Below is a brief overview of this issue.

The American Psychiatric Association and New Autism Criteria

The American Psychiatric Association, or the APA, is the organization that sets out the definition and therefore the criteria for diagnosis for several conditions that include autism.  Beginning in May of 2013, there will be a new definition for the first time in nearly 20 years, and that’s because of all that has been learned with regards to this condition.

In general, fewer children will be diagnosed with autism than would be under the old definition, and similar conditions such as Asperger’s Syndrome will no longer be considered a form of autism.  What this means is that as many as 40 percent of children will no longer be seen as autistic, and these children may therefore no longer have access to rehabilitation programs and other benefits available to those who have been diagnosed with autism.  This change is seen as especially ill-timed because of the exploding rate of this condition.

How New York Birth Injury Lawyers Can Help

This new categorization and these new standards could result in much additional suffering for a high number of families.  Without access to these rehabilitative programs that are offered by hospitals, clinics and charities families will be left on their own to find and fund the necessary care for their children.  This will not only increase the amount of stress a family endures but also the expense.

If your child has been diagnosed with a form of autism and you feel as though it could be the result of a mistake made during the delivery process by the medical professionals overseeing that birth, you need to seek the help of New York birth injury lawyers who have been fighting for the rights of families for more than 40 years.  Contact Fitzgerald & Fitzgerald today to schedule a free initial consultation.