title: Approach to autism spectrum disorder: Using the new DSM-V diagnostic criteria and the CanMEDS-FM framework.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review the diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-V), and to develop an approach to managing ASD using the CanMEDS- Family Medicine (CanMEDS-FM) framework.
  
  
  METHODS
  The DSM-V from the American Psychiatric Association, published in May 2013, provides new diagnostic criteria for ASD. The College of Family Physicians of Canada's CanMEDS-FM framework provides a blueprint that can guide the complex management of ASD. We used data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to determine the prevalence of ASD, and we used the comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis completed by the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence for their guidelines on ASD to assess the evidence for more than 100 interventions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of ASD was 1 in 88 in 2008 in the United States according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The ASD classification in the fourth edition of the DSM included autism, Asperger syndrome, pervasive developmental disorder, and childhood disintegrative disorder. The new DSM-V revision incorporates all these disorders into one ASD umbrella term with different severity levels. The management of ASD is complex and requires a multidisciplinary team effort and continuity of care. The CanMEDS-FM roles provide a framework for management.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Family physicians are the key leaders of the multidisciplinary care team for ASD, and the CanMEDS-FM framework provides a comprehensive guide to help manage a child with ASD and to help the child's family.
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor of Family Medicine and Director of Student Affairs in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Calgary in Alberta. pflee@ucalgary.ca.
authors.forename: Patrick F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Cochrane Collaboration Coordinator and Professor of Family Medicine in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Calgary.
authors.forename: Roger E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.affiliation: Second-year resident in the Emergency Medicine Residency Program at the University of Calgary.
authors.forename: Patricia A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002170:Canada; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005194:Family Practice / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000592:standards; D014481:United States