Moving Past the Categories: Creating Novel Re-conceptualizations of the ASD diagnosis and Phenotype

Session Chairs: Eric London, Christopher Gillberg Faculty: Nancy Minshew, Emanuel Dicicco-Bloom, Susan Hyman, Tristram Smith, Margaret Bauman, Marshalyn Yeargin Allsopp, Matthew Maenner Trainee Co-Leader: Alexis Stevenson There are many serious clinical and research problems with the categorical diagnosis of ASD which have been well documented and has prompted the NIMH to support the RDoCs in lieu of DSM diagnosis for research. The centrality of a category which might not be a “natural kind” has the potential to derail progress in improving the treatment of those affected with autism. Nevertheless, a nosology is needed, and replacing the DSM is a daunting task which will require a large scale effort and ultimately consensus. The goal of this SIG is to begin the process of creating an instrument which can be used universally for both clinical work and research. This will be in the form of a 5 tier electronic medical record (EMR). The tiers are 1) primary care 2) specialty data; 3) etiologic data; 4) functional status 5) treatment response. After a brief presentation of the issues prompting this effort, and a description of the particulars of the EMR, the participants will break up into working groups to begin the process of creating templates for a particular topic. Examples of group topics are creating templates to measure social symptoms, motor symptoms, anxiety symptoms, autonomic symptoms, functional measures, translational measures bridging biologic findings with clinical findings etc. Attention will be paid to the symptoms which vary with development. It is anticipated that participants in the groups might go on to continue to work on their topics offering opportunities for younger investigators to take on leadership roles in the development of the EMR and to create a research agenda to accomplish this.