Autism Has Changed Explains Dr. Ellen Braaten from The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds

high functioning autism concept - Pensive african preschool or school age girl sitting on floor alone, leaned on wooden wall puts hands on laps looking away

For immediate release

BOSTON, Mass. – April is Autism Awareness Month and Ellen Braaten, Ph.D., from The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) has published an article today that highlights changes in autism spectrum. The article “DSM-5: What Happened to Asperger’s?” addresses the recent changes in diagnosing autism. Dr. Braaten has more than 18 years of experience in the mental health field as a licensed psychologist.

Dr. Braaten specifically addresses the changes in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), and how it can impact a child and family.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is the standard classification of mental disorders used by mental health professionals in the United States. It is intended to be applicable in a wide array of contexts and used by clinicians and researchers of many different orientations (e.g., biological, psychodynamic, cognitive, behavioral, interpersonal, family/systems).

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Dr. Ellen Braaten (left) is the associate director of The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds in Boston.

Dr. Braaten is the associate director of The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds and is an assistant professor of psychology at Harvard Medical School and associate psychologist at MGH. She has co-authored two books, Straight Talk about Psychological Testing for Kids and Bright Kids Who Can’t Keep Up.

For media interview requests, contact Liz Jarrell, director of communications at The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds, at 617-643-1590 or ejarrell@partners.org.

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Photo of Dr. Ellen Baaten

Caption: Dr. Ellen Braaten (left) is the associate director of The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds in Boston.

About The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds
Based at Massachusetts General Hospital and led by a team of Harvard Medical School faculty members, The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds is a Web-based resource that educates parents and other caregivers about the psychological development and emotional well-being of children, adolescents, and young adults who struggle with behavioral, emotional, and/or learning challenges. The Clay Center features the expertise of its nationally recognized doctors who create engaging and educational mental health content delivered in a wide variety of multimedia formats, including blogs, audio podcasts, online videos, interactive social media, and live online discussions. The content from The Clay Center encourages resilience in individuals and families while increasing the awareness of mental health disorders. To learn more, visit mghclaycenter.launchpaddev.com.

Media contact:
Liz Jarrell, Communications Director
The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds
Work: 617-643-1590
Email: ejarrell@partners.org