Proposed Changes to Definition of I/DD, ANCOR Preparing Remarks

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) is proposing to change the definition of intellectual disability in the upcoming edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), the core diagnostics manual for psychiatrists and other medical experts. This proposal is concerning because it would, among other issues, overly focus on intellectual quotient (IQ) for diagnosis. It would also require clinicians to prove that adaptive challenges are caused by intellectual disability, which clinicians do not necessarily have the capacity to do. While ANCOR will be preparing and submitting its own comments, readers interested in learning more about this issue will find the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities’ (AAIDD) comments to the APA informative. ANCOR will share our final comments once they are finalized. Readers seeking to submit their own comments should note the August 14 deadline.