Strengths-Based Autism Spectrum Diagnostic Criteria (Copy)

Most of the diagnoses in the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental health (DSM-V) are deficit-based. What’s wrong with this person? What’s different or unusual or abnormal? There are obviously a lot of problems with this approach, yet the medical model requires there be some agreed upon objective standards of diagnosing.

Kentucky therapist Matt Lowry reimagined the diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder using language that is neutral and positive, rather than focused on deficits. Autistic brains work differently, but they aren’t broken and don’t require fixing. Though this language has not been adopted by the DSM, it is the same basic criteria stated with a different perspective. Advocates like Matt are drawing attention to the importance of strengths-based language in the mental health field.